LA Cup ’24 Pickleball Championship Showdown: The LA Cup ’24, a prestigious APBA Southern California State Championship event, returns to Long Beach, bringing together top pickleball talent from across the state. Hosted at the El Dorado Tennis Center, this event promises a competitive weekend on November 9 and 10, 2024.
Venue and Schedule
Held at the El Dorado Tennis Center located at 2800 Studebaker Road, Long Beach, CA, the championship will span two days. Saturday will feature singles and gender doubles, while Sunday brings singles and mixed doubles to the courts.
Tournament Format and Medal Rounds
The LA Cup will follow a round-robin format with intense playoff rounds and medal placements for the top four in each event. Unique bracket structures are in place to maximize competitive play:
- 7-8 Player Brackets: All players or teams will advance to the quarterfinals. Losers in the quarterfinals will enter a secondary B bracket, ensuring medal opportunities down to fourth place.
- 9+ Player Brackets: Divisions with nine or more participants may split into separate medal brackets, categorized as upper and lower, based on DUPR rankings.
This structure allows for equitable competition and maximizes the championship’s medal potential.
Tournament Surface and Equipment
Participants will compete on 12 dedicated outdoor courts — eight permanent and four portable — fitted with Gearbox pickleballs on a specially designed pickleball sport court surface.
Age and Class Rules
The LA Cup is structured to encourage participation across various age brackets:
- Age Flexibility: Players aged 30+ may join younger brackets, while players 17 and under may compete up to the 18-29 age group.
- Open Classes: With a total prize purse of $12,000, the Open classes include men’s and women’s singles, mixed doubles, and gender doubles. The top payout stands at $1,000 for first place, followed by $400 for second, $100 for third with free entry to the next Open event, and free entry for the fourth-place winners.
In a note to competitors, a minimum of 10 participants per Open bracket is required to validate a competition. Should an Open bracket fall below this number, the tournament director reserves the right to cancel the event with refunds issued.
Tournament Rules
All brackets and classes are subject to adjustments by this pickleball tournament director to ensure competitive fairness. Bracket adjustments, if necessary, will be conducted without prior notice to competitors.
News in Brief: LA Cup ’24 Pickleball Championship Showdown
The LA Cup ’24 — the APBA Southern California State Championship Series — kicks off November 9-10, 2024, at El Dorado Tennis Center in Long Beach. Over two days, this pickleball event features a round-robin format with playoffs, awarding medals for the top four placements.
The pickleball tournament includes age-specific brackets, a dedicated pickleball court setup, and a prize pool totaling $12,000 for the Open classes. All entries must meet minimum participation requirements, with adjustments at the discretion of the tournament director.
ALSO READ: Topeka’s Pickleball Tournament Serves Up Change and Community Impact