👑 The Queen City's Court Report

Dink
Responsibly,
Charlotte.

Open play, leagues, tournaments, clinics and good old fashioned fun on the courts around Charlotte. Updated every week.

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Coming Up in Charlotte Pickleball

Updated: November 6, 2026
Beginner Friendly
Fri, Nov 13

Intro to Tournament Play

Pickleball Charlotte, Sharon Lakes. 6 to 9 PM. Never played a tournament? Start here. Part of the Fall Brawl weekend.

Details →
Tournament
Nov 14 to 15

Pickleball Charlotte Fall Brawl

Sharon Lakes. Men's, women's and mixed doubles, all ages. $40 per player. Sign up by Nov 10.

Details & signup →
Tournament
Dec 4 to 6

The Merry Pickle Open

Peak Time Pickleball, Wilmore. Singles and doubles, 3.0 to Open, age divisions. Registration closes Nov 30.

Details & signup →
Tournament
Sat, Dec 12

Dink The Halls 5 (Indoor)

Charlotte Tennis & Pickleball, Sharon Lakes Rd. A holiday tourney hosted by PBT. Check the link for divisions and price.

Details →
Tournament
Dec 12 to 13

The Charlotte Gold Cup

Peak Time Pickleball, Wilmore. For players rated 2.5 to 5.0. $65. Sign up by Dec 9.

Details & signup →
Date TBA

Pickleball for a Purpose 2026

Hosted by Dilworth Charities (Charlotte Dilworth South End Rotary) on Selwyn Ave. $100 per doubles team. Watch for the date!

Details →

Dates and prices come from each event's sign-up page. Always double check with the organizer before you go.

Mark your calendar

The Court Calendar

Tap any event to jump to its sign-up page.

November 2026
Tournament Beginner friendly Fundraiser League

On a phone, events show as colored dots. Scroll down for the full list.

Every event, in order
Good sports get the glory

The Sweet Pickle Award

Played a team that was a total blast? Kind, fair, fun and full of good vibes? Nominate them for the Sweet Pickle Jar, our shelf of honor for Charlotte's best sports. This award is just for pickleball teams, so think doubles partners and league squads. Because nobody wants to be a Spicy Pickle!

The Sweet Pickle Jar, filled with pickleballs, paddles and two happy players

Sweet Pickles 🥒

  • Call their own faults and give close calls to you
  • Cheer your great shots (even the ones that beat them)
  • Welcome beginners and rotate fairly in open play
  • Paddle tap, smile, and say "good game" every time

Spicy Pickles 🌶️

  • Line call drama on every bounce
  • Slamming the ball at a brand new player
  • Paddle tantrums and sulky stomping
  • Hogging the court while others wait
🏆 The Sweet Pickle Jar Shelf of Honor
Could be your team!
Be the first Sweet Pickle Award team in Charlotte.

Nominate a Team for the Sweet Pickle Award

Pickleball teams only. Tell us which team made your game sweeter, and winners get a spot in the jar!

Never played? Perfect.

Pickleball in 3 Easy Swings

If you can hold a paddle and laugh at yourself, you're already halfway there.

1

Serve Underhand

Serves go underhand and diagonal, just like a friendly backyard game.

2

Respect the Kitchen

The 7 foot zone by the net is "the kitchen." No volleying while you're standing in it!

3

Play to 11

Games usually go to 11, win by 2, and only the serving team scores points.

Find your court

Where to Play Around Town

From free county courts to indoor clubs, here are some favorite spots. County courts are first come, first served, and some can be reserved online for a small fee.

🌳 Free Public Parks
Free

Clarks Creek Park

5435 Hucks Rd, North Charlotte

8 dedicated courts. 5 can be reserved and 3 are open play. Open play here can get competitive!

Court info →
Free to Join

County Adult Leagues

MLK, Freedom & Clarks Creek Parks

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation runs adult pickleball leagues. Check rules, standings and schedules online.

League info →
Free

Freedom Park

East Blvd, Dilworth

6 lighted outdoor courts close to restrooms and food. Courts 13 and 16 are open play. Courts 11, 12, 14 and 15 can be reserved.

Reserve a county court →
Free

Park Road Park

6220 Park Rd, South Charlotte

A big county park with courts lined for pickleball (Courts 1 to 4), plus trails, a lake and playgrounds.

Court info →
🎟️ Pay-to-Play Clubs
Pay to Play

Peak Time Pickleball

1515 S Clarkson St, Wilmore

19 indoor courts in a converted warehouse, plus open play, leagues, clinics and lessons. Rain or shine!

See their next tournament →
Pay to Play

Pickleball Charlotte, Sharon Lakes

8401 Sharon Lakes Rd

One of the city's busiest pickleball hubs, with indoor and outdoor courts, clinics, leagues and open play. Home of the Fall Brawl.

Visit website →
⛳ Private Country Clubs
Members

Carmel Country Club

4735 Carmel Rd

11 lighted outdoor courts, one of the biggest club setups in town. Members and invited guests only.

Visit website →
Members

Myers Park Country Club

Myers Park

A private club with member pickleball programs. Know a member? Ask about member-guest and charity events.

See Every Charlotte Court →
Greetings from
1965
Bainbridge Island, WA
A little old school history

Born in a Backyard

Pickleball was invented in the summer of 1965 by a few dads looking to keep bored kids busy. They grabbed a badminton court, some homemade wooden paddles and a plastic ball full of holes, and a brand new game was born. Nearly 60 years later, it's taking over courts all over the Queen City. Not bad for a backyard idea!

Got something going on?

Add Your Event

Clubs, leagues and organizers: share your tournament, clinic, league or open play night. We'll take a quick look and add it to the calendar.

Questions? Email events@charlottepickleball.org