The Crystal Head Open will take place from July 4 to July 6, 2025, at the Kingston Pickleball Club in Kingston, Ontario. This indoor event is part of the True North Pickleball Tour and will act as a qualifier for the championship round scheduled for September.
Registration closes on June 27, 2025, at 10:00 PM EST. The entry fee is CAD 70.00. All matches will be played at Kingston Pickleball Club’s climate-controlled courts at 1150 Gardiners Road, offering players a cool and comfortable setting to compete during the summer.
Sponsored by Dan Aykroyd’s Crystal Head Vodka
Crystal Head Vodka, co-founded by Dan Aykroyd and John Alexander, is the event’s title sponsor. Dan Aykroyd, a well-known actor and Kingston native, may attend the tournament and present medals.
Winners in each gold medal category will receive a signed bottle of Crystal Head Vodka. “When he’s not busting ghosts or unearthing The Unbelievable in a new nonfiction series on the History Channel, the seemingly ageless Aykroyd’s truest passion when it comes to spirits is Crystal Head Vodka, which he co-founded in 2008 with John Alexander, a renowned American artist and the designer of the liquor’s unique skull bottle.”
Event Format and Playing Details
The Crystal Head Open will feature round-robin play followed by a single elimination medal round. Open-level matches with six or more teams will follow a double-elimination format and offer prize money for winners.
Players will compete in skill levels 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and Open, across four age categories: 19+, 35+, 50+, and 65+. Matches will use the Franklin X40, the official ball of the True North Pickleball Tour.
This is a Pickleball Canada Sanctioned event, and all games will follow official pickleball rules. Players must ensure their paddles are approved by USA Pickleball (USAP). Results will also update participants’ DUPR ratings.
Registration and Refund Policy
Each player must register and pay individually. A team’s spot is only confirmed once both players have registered. Players can receive a full refund (minus a $10 administrative fee) up to June 27. No refunds will be issued after that date for any reason, including injury, illness, or weather.
The tournament director reserves the right to merge divisions or adjust teams if competitive balance is an issue.
Growing Pickleball and Local Support
This event highlights the growing popularity of pickleball in Canada and the strong local support in Kingston. With Dan Aykroyd’s backing and the chance to qualify for the True North Championship, the Crystal Head Open offers excitement for both athletes and fans.
News in Brief: Crystal Head Open Pickleball Qualifier
The Crystal Head Open will take place July 4–6, 2025, in Kingston, Ontario, as part of the True North Pickleball Tour. Sponsored by Dan Aykroyd’s Crystal Head Vodka, the event offers medals, prize money, and the chance to qualify for September’s championship. Registration ends June 27.