Quick Overview

• 1. Schedule: Teams propose matches at their own convenience.

  2. Connect: Opponents accept outstanding proposals through the portal.

  3. Compete: Play the match and submit scores online.

Keep playing throughout the 9-week season to qualify for the championship playoffs.

[Scroll down for a deep dive into the league specifics.]

League Format

In CLT PBPL, your ranking is driven by your performance and your activity.

• Unlimited Opportunity: Propose and accept as many matches as your schedule allows. There is no cap on how much you can play.

• Climb the Leaderboard: Every match earns you points. The more you play, the more chances you have to rack up points and dominate the standings.

• Play Anyone, Anytime: You can challenge any team in your league—and yes, you can even play the same rivals multiple times to settle the score!

• Instant Updates: Standings auto-update the second your scores are entered. Watch your rank rise in real-time.

How Scheduling Works

CLT PBPL is a "play anywhere" league. We put the power of scheduling in your hands:

• Proposing a Match: When you propose a match, you set the time and location.

• Accepting a Match: The accepting team agrees to the location and time set by the proposer.

• Communication is Key: We recommend saving your opponent’s phone number (found in the Player Portal) before heading to the courts. This makes it easy to coordinate court numbers or handle last-minute delays.

Match Locations - Private Club

If you are a member of a private club or neighborhood court, you are welcome to host!

• Disclosure: If your location requires a guest fee, please enter that amount in the "Location Fee" field when proposing the match.

• Transparency: Once a match is accepted, reach out to your opponent to confirm they are aware of any guest fees or specific club entry rules.

Match Locations - Public Courts

Don't have a home court? No problem! You can play at any tennis or pickleball court in the area. Here are some popular local favorites with dedicated or lined courts:

• Clarks Creek Community Park - 5435 Hucks Rd, Charlotte, NC - 8 Dedicated PB Courts

• Martin Luther King Jr. Park - 2600 Ravencroft Dr, Charlotte, NC - 6 Dedicated PB Courts

• Tuckaseegee Park - 4820 Tuckaseegee Rd, Charlotte, NC - 6 Lined Tennis Courts

• Col. Francis Beatty Park - 4330 Weddington Rd, Matthews, NC - 3 Lined Tennis Courts

• Pearl Street Park - 1200 Baxter Dr, Charlotte, NC - 2 Dedicated PB Courts

• Freedom Park - 1900 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC - 6 Dedicated PB Courts

• Clanton Park - 1520 Clanton Road, Charlotte, NC - 6 Dedicated PB Courts

• Eastway Park - 3150 Eastway Pk Dr, Charlotte, NC - 4 Dedicated PB Courts

Match Rules

• Format: Best 2 out of 3 games, with games to 11. 

• Scoring: First to 11 (Win by 2)

• Gear: Please bring your own paddles and balls to every match

• Schedule: Play as often as you like! Challenge any team in your league with no weekly match caps. Play as many matches as you possibly can vs. the same opponent while at the court. 

• Rankings: Every match earns you points. Play more to climb higher! 

Special Situations/Rules

1. Late Arrivals & Forfeits

• The 15-Minute Rule: If a team is more than 15 minutes late, the present team may claim 2 forfeit wins. The scores should be recorded as 11-0, 11-0.

• Discretion Encouraged: We are a community league! If an opponent is running late but communicating, we encourage you to use your discretion and play if time allows.

• Last-Minute Cancellations: If you must cancel within 24 hours of match time, your opponent has the right to claim a forfeit win. However, if both teams agree to reschedule, simply keep the match in your portal and play at a later date.

2. Weather & Unfinished Matches

If play is interrupted by rain, darkness, or court time limits:

• Pause & Resume: Please agree on a future time to finish.

• Keep Record: Write down the exact score and server so you can resume exactly where you left off.

3. Injuries During Play

If a player is injured and cannot complete a match:

• Points Awarded: The healthy team will be awarded the remaining points necessary to win the match. (e.g., if the score is 5-2 and an injury occurs, the match is recorded as a win for the non-injured team).

4. Cancellation Etiquette

Communication is vital to keeping the league running smoothly.

• Contact Early: If you must cancel an accepted match, text or call your opponent immediately. Do not rely on email alone for last-minute changes.

• No-Shows: Showing up to a court only to have the other team not appear is unacceptable. Unannounced no-shows will result in an automatic forfeit and may jeopardize your league standing.

• Reschedule First: Our goal is to play pickleball! Always try to find a makeup date before resorting to a forfeit.

5. Conduct & Membership

The CLT PBPL is built on sportsmanship and community.

• Disruptive Behavior: The league reserves the right to refuse or rescind membership at any time for disruptive behavior, unsportsmanlike conduct on the courts, or any other reason deemed necessary to protect the league environment.

Match Scoring System

Our unique scoring system is designed to reward both winning and participation. In the CLT PBPL, every single point you score on the court matters for your season standing.

The Breakdown

After your best-of-3 match, points are calculated based on the following criteria:

1. Participation: 1.0 point for each match played

2. Game Wins: 3.0 points for each Game won during the Match (up to 6 points total)

3. Close Game Bonus: 0.5 points for losing a Game by 2 points

4. Competitive Bonus: 0.25 points for losing a Game by 3 points

5. Perforamance Bonuses (Point Differential)

   • +5.0 points: Combined point differential of 21+

   • +3.5 points: Combined point differential of 15-20

   • +2.5 points: Combined point differential of 10-14

   • +1.5 points: Combined point differential of 6-9

   • +0.5 points: Combined point differential of 1-5

What Does This Mean For You?

• The winning team will receive between 7 and 12 points depending on outcome (point differential).

• The losing team will receive between 1 and 6.5 points depending on the outcome (games won and point differential)

• The Takeaway: Never give up on a set! Even if you lose a match, fighting for every point helps you climb the league standings and stay in the playoff hunt.

Playoffs

At the end of our 9-week regular season, the standings are locked and the battle for the title begins!

General Playoff Rules

• Scheduling: Playoffs take place over a 1–2 week window immediately following the regular season.

• Availability: Qualifying teams will be notified of the schedule and must confirm availability. If a team cannot play, they forfeit their spot, and the next eligible team in the standings will be invited.

• Championship Day: The Semi-Finals and Finals are held on the same day at a designated time and location.

• No Substitutions: To maintain league integrity, if a regular-season team member is injured or unable to play, the team must forfeit.

Qualification & Brackets

Playoff bracket sizes are determined by the number of active teams in each division:

Small Divisions (12–24 Teams)

• Top 7 Teams: Qualify automatically based on total PBPL points in the regular season

• The Wildcard: The 8th spot goes to the team with the highest Points Per Match (CLT PBPL Pts Per Match) not already in the Top 7 (minimum 7 matches played).

• Seeding: Seeds 1–4 are based on regular-season finish. Seeds 5–8 are re-ordered by CLT PBPL Pts Per Match.

Medium Divisions (25–36 Teams)

• Top 7 Teams: Qualify automatically based on total PBPL points in the regular season

• Wildcards: 5 additional teams qualify based on the highest Points Per Match (CLT PBPL Pts Per Match) not already in the Top 7 (minimum 7 matches played).

• Seeding: Seeds 1–5 are based on regular-season finish. Seeds 6–12 are re-ordered by CLT PBPL Pts Per Match.

Large Divisions (37+ Teams)

• Top 7 Teams: Qualify automatically based on total PBPL points in the regular season

• Wildcards: 9 additional teams qualify based on the highest Points Per Match (CLT PBPL Pts Per Match) not already in the Top 7 (minimum 7 matches played).

• Seeding: Seeds 1–9 are based on regular-season finish. Seeds 10–16 are re-ordered by CLT PBPL Pts Per Match..

Tie-Breaking Procedures

In the event of a tie in the regular season standings or CLT PBPL Pts Per Match averages, the following hierarchy will determine the seed:

1. Total CLT PBPL Points

2. Superior Point Differential

3. Coin Flip

Note: If the top teams in the league have not completed at least 7 matches, the standard regular-season standings will be used to determine all seeds.

Prizes (Spring, Summer, and Fall Seasons), updated for 2025 as of May 2025

(Format for Singles and Doubles Division)

• The playoff winner will receive a cash prize of $100 and either a new pickleball paddle or pickleball bag

• 4 teams will be given free entry into the CLT PBPL Champions League (See Champions League for Details)

• The top 4 playoff teams will earn a free entry into Del Boca Vista

• Team who plays the most regular season matches will receive $40 (minimum of 25 matches played required).

FAQs

1. How many matches can I play? There is no limit to the number of matches you can play! You are encouraged to play as much as you like—whether that is multiple times per week or even multiple matches in a single day. 

   • The Benefit: The more you play, the more points you earn, the more practice you get, and the more members of the Charlotte pickleball community you’ll meet.

2. Can I reach out to specific teams to play? Yes! While the Match Proposal system is the primary way to find games, you can also use the Roster Listing to contact teams directly via email or text.

   • Pro-Tip: CLT PBPL recommends sending a group message to both players on the opposing team to coordinate availability. This is a great strategy if you are targeting an opponent close to you in the standings.

   • Lock it In: Once you agree on a time and place, propose the match immediately in the portal and have the other team accept it right away to ensure another team doesn't "claim" your time slot first.

3. What is the Match Format? All matches are best 2-out-of-3 games.

   • Each game is played to 11 points (win by 2).

   • Scoring Note: If a team wins the first two games, a third game is not necessary. Please only enter scores for the games actually played.

4. Who serves first? Teams can use any fair method to decide (coin flip, spinning the paddle, etc.).

   • The Choice: The winner of the toss chooses either to serve first OR pick a side of the court.

   • The Follow-up: If the winner picks the serve, the opponent picks the side. If the winner picks the side, the opponent decides who serves first.

5. When do we switch sides? To ensure fair playing conditions (wind, sun, etc.), teams switch sides:

   • Between Games: Switch sides after Game 1 and Game 2.

   • The Tie-Breaker: In Game 3 (if necessary), teams switch sides as soon as the first team reaches 6 points.

6. What ball is recommended? While the final choice of ball is up to the two teams playing, CLT PBPL recommends using one of the following high-quality outdoor balls:

   • Dura Fast 40 Outdoor: The standard for competitive tournament play.

   • Onix Pure 2: Known for its consistent flight and durability.

   • The "Tie-Breaker" Rule - If teams cannot agree on which ball to use, please follow this hierarchy to keep things fair:

     • Priority Choice: If either team has a Dura Fast 40 or an Onix Pure 2, that ball should be used first.

     • Proposer's Choice: If teams still cannot agree, or if neither of the recommended balls is available, the proposing team has the final say on which ball will be used for that match.

7. Is it okay to play multiple matches vs. the same team? Yes! You are welcome to play the same team multiple times throughout the season. In fact, if both teams have the time and energy, CLT PBPL recommends playing two matches back-to-back in the same session. Since you’re already at the court, it’s a great way to maximize your play time and rack up points! 

8. Help, I entered the wrong scores? Please reach out to cltpickleball@gmail.com with any adjustments you need to make. 

9. Can I join late? Yes, late registrations are allowed.

10. I am a solo player needing a partner, can I play? Yes, but please reach out to cltpickleball@gmail.com to inquire about being matched with a partner and what league you are interested in playing. CLT PBPL will do its best to find a partner for you. 

11. Can a league champion return for a future season? We love seeing our champions return! Winners are always welcome to defend their titles or take on new challenges.

    • Promotions: To keep the league fair and competitive, champions of a Beginner division will typically be promoted to the Intermediate division for the following season.

    • Placement: All divisional placements are made at the discretion of the League Commissioner. Our goal is to maintain a balanced competitive environment, so in some cases, a champion may remain in their current division if a promotion isn't the right fit.

Season Kick-Off Information

1. Teams: Contact Information - The roster listing will be available on the player portal. 

2. What is the Schedule? You decide! You play when you can by proposing matches or accepting matches or both. For your match to get accepted, it is always best to provide 24 hrs notice. You can play as little or as much as you like. The more you play, the more chances you have at climbing the standing. Teams have played 1 match to 50 matches in previous seasons. If you are serious about playing and getting better, always aim to play around 16-24 matches during the season. 

3. How to Organize Matches in the League?  

   • Go to the player portal and click the division you registered for and then take action.

   • Start proposing matches and accepting proposed matches!

   • The website allows you to initiate a match proposal (you decide the time, day, and location). The website also allows you to accept proposed matches, enter scores, view the standings, and more.

   • By playing matches, you will receive points based on matches played, point differential, and games won.

   • You may play as many times as you wish per week.

   • I encourage you to play 2 matches against the same team when you have the court. 

4. Get Started Playing by Proposing Match - Propose as many matches as you wish

   • Go to the player portal and click the division you registered for and then take action by clicking "Propose a Match"

   • Fill out the day, time, location of your choosing.

   • Another team will "Accept" that match and then you all will play the match and then report the scores on the website.

5. Get Started Playing by Accepting Proposed Match - Accept as many matches as you wish

   • Go to the player portal and click the division you registered for and then take action by clicking "Accept" for any match you would like to play.

6. Tips and Other Items

   • The website works on both your computer and your phone. 

   • It may be beneficial to go ahead and start proposing matches on days/times you know you want to play. There is no limit to how many matches you propose. Propose as many matches as you want and sit back and wait for someone to accept.

   • I encourage you to play 2 matches against the same team when you have the court. 

   • If you accept a match but something comes up and you cannot play, you can cancel the match. Please only cancel a match if something comes up on your schedule. Once a match has been accepted, both teams are expecting to play it. If the match needs to be cancelled, you can do so, but please contact the opposing team to confirm they realize the match is no longer taking place.

   • If you decide to play at your own club or a private court, please list the fee to play. Do not expect your opponent to pay the fee unless they are aware it exists.

   • When meeting your opponent, please bring their cell phone numbers with you to communicate and in case of an emergency.

   • For 3 player teams, any combination of 2 players may play for that team on any given day/match.

   • When a proposed match has been accepted, both teams should show up to the court to play on the scheduled day/time. Teams can communicate via text beforehand as well to send a quick, "I accepted your match and look forward to playing" or to ask for directions, etc.   

7. Automated Emails for Proposed Matches and Accepted Matches

   • If you elected to receive auto generated match proposals and match acceptance emails, you will receive every match proposal for your league via email as it is entered into the system and any accepted match for your team. If you would like to be removed from this list at any time, please unsubscribe. 

   • Everyone can always view the website for outstanding proposals and to see if their match has been accepted. 

8. The Website Actions - You can propose matches, accept matches, enter scores, cancel a proposal, and cancel a match. 

   • 1) You can propose matches for any given day/time/location. When you propose a match, all teams see your proposal and have a chance to accept the match. 

   • 2) You can accept matches that have been proposed. You can see all proposed matches and have the ability to accept any of them if they fit your schedule.

   • 3) You can enter your match scores after your match has been played

   • 4) You can cancel a proposal if no one has accepted it and you no longer are available to play it

   • 5) You can cancel an accepted match. This is not recommended and please read more about it in "Special Situations"

9. The Player Portal: Explained 

   • Within your league page, you can see all proposed matches (See below for example). 

   • Within your league page, you can see all matches that have been accepted but either have not been played or do not have scores entered yet (see below). 

   • Within your league page, you can see all matches that have been played and have scores reported (see below). 

   • Within your league page, the standings are visible. 

CLT PBPL Champions League

Promotion Overview for a Doubles Division

Promotion to the Champions League is available to teams competing in the following divisions:

·       Mixed Doubles Intermediate

·       Men’s Doubles Intermediate

·       Advanced Doubles

Each division is allocated four qualifying slots for the Champions League. Teams will qualify based on the following criteria, in order of priority:

·       Playoff Champion

·       Playoff Runner-Up

·       Regular Season Champion

·       Highest CLT PBPL Points Per Match in the regular season (minimum of 7 matches played)

If any of the top four criteria are met by the same team more than once, the division must still send four unique teams to the Champions League. In such cases, the following criteria will be used to determine the remaining qualifying teams:

·       2nd Highest CLT PBPL Points Per Match in the regular season (minimum of 7 matches played)

·       3rd Highest CLT PBPL Points Per Match in the regular season (minimum of 7 matches played)

·       4th Highest CLT PBPL Points Per Match in the regular season (minimum of 7 matches played)

Promotion Overview for a Singles Division

Promotion to the Champions League is available to players competing in the following divisions:

·       Men’s 3.5 Singles

·       Men’s 4.0+ Singles

·       Women’s Singles

*Doubles teams will be formed from the promoted players or the individual player has the ability to add their own teammate for the regular player fee.

Each division is allocated four qualifying slots for the Champions League. Players will qualify based on the following criteria, in order of priority:

·       Playoff Champion

·       Playoff Runner-Up

·       Regular Season Champion

·       Highest CLT PBPL Points Per Match in the regular season (minimum of 7 matches played)

If any of the top four criteria are met by the same player more than once, the division must still send four players to the Champions League. In such cases, the following criteria will be used to determine the remaining qualifying players:

·       2nd Highest CLT PBPL Points Per Match in the regular season (minimum of 7 matches played)

·       3rd Highest CLT PBPL Points Per Match in the regular season (minimum of 7 matches played)

·       4th Highest CLT PBPL Points Per Match in the regular season (minimum of 7 matches played)

Relegation Overview for CLT PBPL’s Champions League

·       When: At the conclusion of each Champions League season, once the regular-season standings are finalized.

·       Who: Any team finishing below 20th place in the regular-season table.

·       Consequence: Relegated teams are no longer eligible for the next Champions League season.

·       Return Path: To re-qualify, a relegated team must earn promotion again by competing (and finishing in a promotion spot) in one of the other CLT PBPL divisions.

Other CLT PBPL Champions League FAQs

1.      Cost

a.      Teams promoted to the Champions League receive free entry for one season (the following season).

b.      To continue participating in the Champions League beyond the free season, teams must register and pay the standard team fee.

2.      Prizes

a.      Free entry for the next season will be awarded to:

                                                              i.      The top 4 regular season teams

                                                            ii.      The top 4 playoff teams

b.      The Playoff Champion will have their team name engraved on the CLT PBPL Championship Trophy.

c.      The Regular Season Champion will receive a $50 cash prize.

d.      The Playoff Champion will receive a $50 cash prize.

3.      League Growth

a.      The Champions League will expand each season as CLT PBPL grows and more teams earn promotion.