Pickleball

So, you’ve been tasked with planning your company’s next big event. You want something active, fun, slightly competitive but not cutthroat and it needs to be something your coworkers will actually enjoy. Sound familiar?

Well, say hello to pickleball.

Pickleball is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. It’s fast-paced but not too intense. It’s competitive but lighthearted. And best of all? Everyone from Karen in accounting to your ultra-fit CEO can play. Hosting a corporate pickleball tournament isn’t just a fun way to bring the team together. It also promotes fitness, teamwork, and a whole lot of laughter.

So if you’re ready to plan the most talked-about event your office has seen in years, this guide’s got you covered.

Step 1: Know Your Audience and Gauge Interest

Before you start booking courts or ordering branded pickleball paddles, take a pulse check.

Send out a survey to your team. Ask questions like:

• Have you ever played pickleball?
  

• Would you be interested in playing in a friendly tournament?
  

• Do you prefer singles, doubles, or just watching with a cold drink in hand?
  
  

Keep it light and optional. The goal is to figure out how many people might want to play, how many want to cheer from the sidelines, and whether this is a full-staff kind of thing or more for select departments.

Pro tip: Even if some folks say “I’ve never played before,” don’t panic. That’s part of the charm! Pickleball has a super shallow learning curve.

Step 2: Choose the Right Date and Time

Timing is everything. You don’t want to plan this during tax season if your accounting team’s involved or during your company’s big product launch. Look for a window where most people have breathing room.

Here are a few timing options:

• Half-day weekday tournament (e.g., Thursday afternoon)
  

• All-day event (Friday + optional happy hour after)
  

• Weekend morning (especially good if you’re inviting families too)
  
  

Keep in mind that indoor pickleball courts fill up fast, especially during colder months. If you’re planning this outdoors, watch the forecast and have a backup plan.

Step 3: Book the Perfect Venue

You’ve got two solid options: indoor courts or outdoor courts. If your office has space, you might even be able to set up a temporary court in your parking lot or on a rooftop (extra points for cool vibes).

When choosing a venue, consider:

• Number of courts: You’ll want at least 2–4 courts for a mid-sized tournament.
  

• Location: Keep it close to the office, unless it’s part of a retreat or company getaway.
  

• Amenities: Bathrooms, shaded areas, seating for spectators, and space for food/drinks.
  
  

Some fun venues also offer corporate packages that include equipment, coaching, and event staff. These can make your life a lot easier, especially if it’s your first time planning something like this.

Step 4: Decide on the Tournament Format

Now let’s talk about game structure. The format depends on how many people are playing, how much time you have, and how competitive you want things to get.

Option 1: Round-Robin

Every team plays every other team at least once. Great for small to mid-sized groups. It ensures everyone gets lots of playtime.

Option 2: Single Elimination

Lose once and you’re out. This one’s faster and more intense. Best if you’re short on time.

Option 3: Double Elimination

You get a second chance. More forgiving and balanced.

Option 4: Ladder Format

Winners move up, others move down. It’s flexible and works great if people drop in and out.

Whichever you choose, make sure everyone understands the structure before the first serve. Print a bracket or use a free app to track progress.

Step 5: Gather Gear and Swag

Most players won’t own pickleball gear, so it’s on you to cover the basics.

You’ll need:

• Paddles (2 per court minimum)
  

• Pickleballs (buy extra—they crack)
  

• Court markers or portable nets (if you're setting up temporary courts)
  

• Scorecards or whiteboards
  
  

And don’t forget the fun stuff:

• Matching team shirts (bonus points if they're punny)
  

• Water bottles
  

• Towels
  

• Hats or visors
  
  

Add your company logo, create a custom hashtag, or throw in a reference to your latest project. Branded swag is great for team spirit-and makes for killer Instagram photos.

Step 6: Set the Mood (Snacks, Music & Vibes)

Let’s be honest: the vibe makes or breaks your event. You could have a flawless tournament, but if people are dehydrated, hungry, or bored, it won’t matter.

Snacks + drinks are a must. Keep it light, fun, and energizing. Think:

• Trail mix
  

• Fruit skewers
  

• Energy bars
  

• Water, sparkling water, lemonade
  

• Optional adult beverages (if your company’s cool with that)
  
  

Music is also huge. Create a hype playlist or hire a local DJ if you’re feeling fancy.

Throw in some lawn games like cornhole or giant Jenga for folks who aren’t playing at the moment. And set up shaded seating or picnic blankets so people can chill between matches.

Step 7: Don’t Skip the Ref (or at Least a Scorekeeper)

You can wing it, but having someone in charge of scorekeeping, enforcing rules, or just managing the bracket makes a world of difference.

This could be:

• A volunteer coworker (get them a whistle!)
  

• An official ref (many venues have them available)
  

• You, if you’re cool being both host and judge
  
  

You don’t want any drama about whether that ball was in or out. Keep things fair and friendly by having a neutral party.

Step 8: Add Fun Mini-Games and Prizes

Want to crank the fun up a notch? Include some side games or challenges during breaks:

• Fastest Serve Contest
  

• Rally Challenge (most consecutive hits without dropping the ball)
  

• Trick Shot Competition
  

• “CEO vs Intern” Match
  
  

These get laughs, photos, and a little healthy chaos into the mix.

And don’t forget prizes! You don’t need to break the bank. Try:

• Coffee shop gift cards
  

• Pickleball-themed trophies or medals
  

• A week of prime parking
  

• A fancy lunch or dinner on the company card
  

• A free stay at a cool destination (like Akala Residences... just saying
  
  

Step 9: Capture the Moments

You’ll want memories and proof for when someone claims they “dominated” every match.

Designate someone as the official event photographer, or just ask folks to snap and share pics using your event hashtag.

If your company has a social media team, get them involved. Posting events boosts your employer brand and shows off your fun side.

Even better? Record short interviews with players between games. Ask questions like:

• “What’s your pickleball strategy?”
  

• “Who’s your biggest competition?”
  

• “How badly are you gonna beat your boss?”
  
  

It’s all about building a vibe people will talk about long after the event ends.

Step 10: End on a High Note

When the final match wraps up, don’t just let everyone scatter.

Host a quick awards ceremony. Hand out medals. Make a few jokes. Celebrate your company culture.

You could also:

• Announce tournament MVPs
  

• Give out a “Best Team Spirit” award
  

• Host a mini raffle
  

• Let people vote on who had the best outfit
  
  

Wrap it all up with food, drinks, or even a sunset toast if you're outside. Ending with connection, laughter, and a little celebration makes the whole event unforgettable.

Step 11: Gather Feedback and Start a Tradition

After the event, send out a casual follow-up:

• What did people love?
  

• What could be better next time?
  

• Should this become an annual event?
  
  

You’ll probably hear some version of: “Best work event we’ve had in ages.”

Pickleball’s popularity is only growing, so why not turn it into an annual tradition? You could even rotate host duties across departments, build out a tournament trophy, or challenge other companies to play your team next time.

Final Thoughts (But Not the Boring Kind)

If you’ve made it this far, congrats you’re officially ready to throw a corporate pickleball tournament that’s not just “fun for a work event,” but genuinely fun. You’re building something that brings your team together in a totally new way. It’s sporty without being scary. It’s silly without being pointless. And it’s the kind of thing people will be texting about long after they’ve gone back to their inboxes.