The Pickleball Directory Cup comes to Lee Valley VeloPark this September
The Pickleball Directory and GLL are joining forces on Saturday 5 September to bring a community pickleball tournament to the iconic Lee Valley VeloPark.
Taking place from 11:00 to 17:00, the tournament is designed to be welcoming, fun and competitive, with separate categories for Beginner, Improver and Advanced players.
Whether you are brand new to pickleball, play socially or are looking for a stronger competitive challenge, it is a great opportunity to get on court, test your skills and enjoy match play against players of a similar standard.
The tournament will use a box league format, with the current plan based around groups of five players. This means participants will get the chance to play multiple matches throughout the day rather than being eliminated after a single game, helping to create a tournament that combines competition with the social and community side of pickleball.
Choose your category:
Beginner: 11:00-13:00
The Beginner category is perfect for players who are new to pickleball or have only recently started playing.
You may have attended a few beginner sessions or played socially a handful of times and still be learning the rules, scoring and court positioning. This category is designed to be relaxed, welcoming and fun, with the focus on enjoying your first competitive experience.
This category is for you if:
You are new to pickleball.
You are still learning the game.
You want a friendly introduction to match play.
Improver: 13:00-15:00
The Improver category is designed for players who play fairly regularly and are comfortable with the basics of the game.
You understand the rules and scoring, can sustain rallies and enjoy social games with a competitive edge. This category is ideal if you want to keep improving while competing against others at a similar stage of their pickleball journey.
This category is for you if:
You play pickleball fairly regularly.
You are confident with the rules and scoring.
You want to enjoy competitive social play.
Advanced: 15:00-17:00
The Advanced category is suitable for players who play frequently and are looking for a higher standard of competition.
You are confident across all areas of your game and enjoy competitive doubles against experienced players.
This category is for you if:
You play pickleball frequently.
You are an experienced doubles player.
You are looking for a competitive challenge against strong opposition.
The event will be fully integrated with the Picklemania league platform and The Pickleball Directory.
Ahead of the tournament, participants will be asked to sign up to the platform, where they will be able to join the competition and become part of the wider Picklemania playing community. On the day, Picklemania will also support the digital running of the tournament alongside Lee Valley.
The experience does not have to end when the final match is played. Through Picklemania and The Pickleball Directory, participants will be able to continue finding places to play, joining leagues and competitions and connecting with the wider pickleball community.
The aim is to create an accessible and enjoyable tournament for every standard of player, while giving more people the opportunity to experience competitive pickleball at Lee Valley VeloPark and providing a pathway to keep playing afterwards.
Tournament details:
Date: Saturday 5 September
Time: 11:00 to 17:00
Entry: £10 per person
Spaces are limited, so early booking is recommended.