Tournament Dates: Thursday, June 26th - Sunday, June 29th, 2025.

Venue: Bank OZK Arena, Hot Springs, AR

New for this year's tournament:

1) Pool play format change - all games in round robin pool play are 2 games to 11, win by 1. All teams regardless of the number of teams in your event will play a minimum of (4) games in round robin pool play. The top teams advance into bracket play which determines medal matches.

2) Event maximum team cap of (14) teams per event! Teams should register EARLY to ensure you're IN the tournament. If your partner is also not registered your team will be waitlisted. We intend to keep pool sizes smaller, so more teams have the opportunity of moving forward into bracket play for medals.

Registration - Important Dates

Early Registration fee (prior to March 1st) is $50. After March 1st $60 (NO EXCEPTIONS). Registration opens on January 12th and closes on June 16th. Early Registration Deadline: Feb 28th, 2025 -- register early to save $10!!

Cancellation Deadline: May 1st, 2025 - this is the deadline to receive a full refund, NO EXCEPTIONS.

Registration Deadline: June 15th, 2025 / No new registrations past this date except for partnering with someone already registered needing a partner, NO EXCEPTIONS.

Each registration will be charged an additional, NON-REFUNDABLE by PickleballBrackets.com of $5 for one event or $10 for 2 or more events. Each player can register for a maximum of (4) total events which must all be played on separate days.

Thursday - June 26th, Offspring Open, Men's and Women's Skinny Singles

Friday - June 27th, Men's Doubles and Women's Singles

Saturday - June 28th, Mixed Doubles

Sunday - June 29th, Men's Singles and Women's Doubles

Tournament Directors: Jeff Arnett and Anita Thompson

Age groups are 5-year divisions from age 50 and up when the number of participants allows.

Registration is by Age as of 12/31/2025 and PickleballBrackets.com SKILL LEVEL at the time of registration. Players may be moved to another Skill Level based on their PickleballBrackets.com skill level as of the date that registration closes. (Example - a player that registers in a 3.5 event but then plays more tournaments before June 16th and their rating improves or declines would either be moved to their higher rating of 4.0 or could request to be moved down to 3.0). For most who prefer to play at or above their actual skill rating this is not an issue. Self-ratings will only be used for players with no tournament rating. Calculated PickleballBrackets.com tournament ratings will be used for all others.

We offer Skill levels ranging from 2.5 and below to 5.0+. Age ranges starting from 7 to 80+.

A doubles team must play at the skill level of the higher rated player AND the age division of the player of the younger age.

Players with a UTPR or World Pickleball Tournament Rating that is higher than their PickleballBrackets.com rating, may request bracket placement based on either of those. Use the Contact Tourney link above to contact the tournament directors.

THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MOVE PLAYERS AND TEAMS TO APPROPRIATE SKILL LEVELS WHEN DEEMED APPROPRIATE - AT THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR'S DISCRETION

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Competition each day will begin at 8:00 AM. APPROXIMATE start times for each event will be posted and emailed to players approximately one week prior to the event. Exact start times will be posted and emailed to players each day for the following day's play by 10:00 PM the day before the event.

Tournament format:

-Round robin pool play will be played as 2 games to 11, win by 1. (The first team to score 11 wins the game). There will NOT be a third game played in round robin pool play.

-If there are fewer than 3 teams, your event will be merged/combined into the most similar event to your registration.

-Round robin pool play will determine the top (4) teams moving forward into additional play for medals. Exceptions: In pools which consist of only (3) teams in round robin pool play, then all (3) move forward. If an event has more than (2) pools in round robin play (3 or more pools) then the top (2) teams will move forward from each pool to then determine medal play. Top (2) teams would get a bye round and teams 3, 4, 5, and 6 would play for the opportunity of moving to medal round play.

-All matches after round robin pool play are completed will be played as best of 2 out of 3 games to 11, win by 2 in all events regardless of event size.

-When age/skill groups are combined to create a playing bracket, medals will be awarded to the top three teams in the ORIGINAL age/skill group the team entered.

For a guaranteed spot in the tournament in gender doubles or mixed doubles, the second partner must register within FIVE days of the first partner's registration or by the time registration closes. Teams that are incomplete after that will be moved to the waiting list. Once the second partner registers, the team will be entered into the event IF THERE IS STILL ROOM IN THE EVENT AND THE TOURNAMENT.

Each event has a player or team limit. Register early to guarantee your spot (maximum of 14 teams).

Players may sign up on the waiting list at no charge for any closed event, however, openings in an event will only be filled by complete teams in doubles and mixed doubles. Both partners must be signed up on the waiting list as a team in order to fill an event opening.

Tournament Ratings

- Pickleballbrackets ratings will be used. Any event in age 50+ will utilize the USSP rating.

- For new players with no rating, the PickleballBrackets.com self-rating will be used.

- Players who do not have a PickleballBrackets.com rating but do have an official USAPA UTPR or DUPR ratings should self-rate using their DUPR or UTPR rating.

-Players with a UTPR or DUPR rating that is higher than their Pickleballbrackets calculated tournament rating may be moved to the higher level at the discretion of the tournament director. This includes players registering and their rating increasing by the start of the tournament.

-Doubles teams will play in an event of the HIGHER rated skill team player and the LOWER age player.

Primary Ball: Orange Onix Fuse G2

Surface: Concrete

Net: Temporary

Indoor + Air-conditioning

Livestreaming: Yes

Plentiful water stations, bathrooms, and seating near to player courts.

Hotel accommodation options for the Spa City Classic

TBD

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Deadline: received prior to or on May 1st, 2025 - this is the deadline to receive a full refund, NO EXCEPTIONS.

Withdrawals processed prior to or on May 31st, 2025 - will receive a full refund minus $25 cancellation fee and minus Pickleballbrackets.com's $5-$10 processing fee. No insurance required.

Registration Insurance Policy (must be purchased during registration)

Insurance Cost: $10 per player

Who/What's Covered:

Players that purchase insurance during registration.

Partner(s) not covered unless they also purchased insurance.

Prior to Check In.

100% of all fees for the following, except the $5-$10 pickleballbrackets.com fee:

Injury/Illness, doctors note required

Jury duty, jury notice required

Partner drops out, you choose not to participate

After Check In.

100% of event fee only (excludes $60 registration fee) for the following:

Illness/injury before event starts and your partner DOES NOT find replacement,

doctor's note required.

Not Covered:

Players who do not purchase insurance during registration.

Players who simply withdraw from the tournament.

Players who start the event and then decide to withdraw.

Disqualification from tournament or forfeit for any reason.

To Submit Claim:

Email the following details to jeff.arnett13@gmail.com, subject line "SCC Refund":

Name

City/State

Phone

Reason for refund, including any documentation re: injury, illness or jury duty

When will I get my refund?

All refunds will be issued within five (5) business days AFTER completion of the tournament.