Join us for the inaugural Big Pickle on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the Clark County Event Center! Get ready for an unforgettable day of friendly competition and community impact. The Big Pickle will feature prominent SW Washington community members, delicious food and drinks available for purchase, exclusive swag, great music, and incredible raffle prizes. Whether you’re a seasoned pickleball pro or picking up a paddle for the first time, The Big Pickle promises to be the most fun sporting event of the year in Vancouver.
To learn more about how to support The Big Pickle, including sponsorship opportunities, contact Emily Cruz at ecruz@friendsswwa.org.
Tournament Details
Each tournament ticket includes entry and tournament play for one team (two players) and two Big Pickle hats. Food + beverages will onsite and available for purchase.
Please note: Tickets are limited and the tournament will sell out once we reach 50 teams.
Teams who enter the tournament are guaranteed three games, with additional games for teams that advance. The tournament timeline is listed below, but players are welcome to stay for the duration of the event and enjoy the festivities beyond their scheduled play time.
And for a little extra fun - come dressed in your best team uniform! Style, creativity, and commitment are encouraged. A best-dressed award will be given to the standout team that brings the most flair to the court.
Tournament Timeline
- 9:00 am - Check-in: Grab food & bevs, warm-up with our skills clinic, and mingle with fellow players
- 10:00 am - Matches begin: Play format will be King/Queen of the Court style, keeping things moving and competitive
- 1:00 pm - Awards: We'll be celebrating our Kings and Queens of the court, as well as our Best-Dressed
Tournament Format
King/Queen of the Court Format
How to Win
Choose a court. Play against the resident "King" or "Queen." If you win, you may remain on the court to challenge the next team. If you lose, dust yourself off, rejoin the line, and prepare to dominate the next match. Referees will track the number of wins each team accumulates.
How to Play
Rule 1: No Volleying in "The Kitchen"
The Non-Volley Zone (NVZ), also known as "the kitchen", is the lined box located seven feet off the net on both sides of the court. The kitchen boundary includes the lines, so if you're standing on the line, you're standing in the kitchen. You can't touch the kitchen in any way before, during, or after a volley.
Rule 2: There Must Be One Bounce Per Side
One of pickleball's unique rules is the "Two Bounce Rule". The ball must bounce at least once on each side of the court for every rally, for both the serve and the return of the serve. Once this has happened, either side can play the ball in the air or let it bounce.
Rule 3: You Must Serve at Baseline
When serving the ball, you must serve it from the baseline, the back line of the court. Serve underhand and below the waistline, hitting the ball diagonally over the net and across the court. An interesting serve rule is that the ball can hit the net during a serve and is considered in play as long as it doesn't touch the kitchen and lands in the correct service court!
Rule 4: Serves Cannot Land in the Non-Volley Zone
When serving, the pickleball cannot land in the kitchen. This includes the demarcation line. Where a serve is in bounds if it lands on any line other than the kitchen, it is not in bounds if it lands on the line of the kitchen because event the line is considered to be a part of the kitchen. After the serve, of course, the ball can land in the kitchen.
Tournament Divisions: Level Descriptions
Beginner
Intended for those who want to have fun playing or learning pickleball without a strict focus on tournament-style competition. Some players in this division may be picking up a paddle for the first time or learning basic rules and techniques. All levels are welcome, beverage in hand optional.
Intermediate
Intended for players with limited pickleball experience who are looking to play in tournament-style competitions. Participants in this division may play a few times a year. Skills for this level should include familiarity with keeping score, the ability to serve, and basic capacity for a short rally.
Advanced
Intended for players with moderate pickleball experience who play, on average, a few times per month, or more. Skills for this level should include the ability to volley and control shots, such as dinks (soft shots aimed at the opponent's kitchen area), the ability to hit forehand and backhand with direction, and a more robust understanding of rules for play.