This month’s English Nationals at Bolton Arena are almost a complete sell-out.
Pickleball England had to set a limit of 500 players per day (around 700 overall) over the four days of the tournament between 26-29 October due to the capacity of the arena.
The 80 categories include age groups ranging from juniors to 70+ and Open draws in singles, men’s, women’s, mixed doubles and wheelchair, with 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 draws in most categories.
Draw sizes differ between each category depending on demand. Only Pickleball England-registered players were eligible to enter, the only exception being in the wheelchair event where no restrictions are applied.
As of the evening of Monday 2 October, there had been 684 registrations, with only a few places left across several categories: men’s and women’s doubles 65+ and 70+, mixed doubles 70+, some singles events (mainly women’s), women’s doubles 4.0 18+ and 4.0 50+, mixed 4.0 60+ (three women) and mixed open (three women). Registration closes this Sunday (8 October).
The championships are the third iteration of the English Nationals and will be sponsored by footwear brand Skechers for the second year in a row.
Even with a few places left, entries already dwarf previous Nationals in 2022 and 2021, which had 430 and 239 entrants respectively. This year, there will be 24 courts, compared to 22 and 16 in previous years.
This year’s competition format remains the same as last year – beginning with a round-robin group stage and the top two or three (depending on number of entries in each category) go into knockout rounds. Each player is guaranteed at least four matches.
Pickleball England Chair Karen Mitchell said: “We are delighted to be hosting the third English Nationals once again in Bolton. We are thrilled with the response from England’s pickleball community and we’re only sorry to have to disappoint some players because some categories are over-subscribed. There will be other tournaments coming up for everyone to enter.”
Pickleball England received 500 entries in the first 24 hours with many players desperate to join the fun after experiencing the huge success of the English Open in Telford in early August.
Although the Nationals will be slightly more low-key than the Open – with taped courts rather than the specialised roll-out courts – it’s still set to be a fun-filled four days.
The opening day, Thursday 26 October, will feature a Major League Pickleball event, the 65+ and 70+ men’s and women’s doubles and recreational play in the evening (this was won last year by the Franklin sponsored team of Jamie Basford, Thaddea Lock, Jared Franklin, Aaron Stahl, Chris Mitchell, Karen Farnhill – pictured above).
Friday is singles day as well as 65+ and 70+ mixed doubles.
Saturday is men’s and women’s doubles for all levels and age groups.
The final day, Sunday 29 October, will be mixed doubles, juniors and wheelchair.
