Iron Horse Open Pickleball Tournament: The fifth Iron Horse Open pickleball tournament will be held at Pinafore Park, 95 Elm Street, St. Thomas, Ontario. Registration closes at 10:00 p.m. EST on July 28, 2025. Entry costs CAD 70.00. A portion of the proceeds will go to the St. Thomas Pickleball Club. The event may also count as a sanctioned tournament under Pickleball Canada (pending approval).
Event Requirements and Eligibility
Players must hold a current Pickleball Canada membership and ensure their number is listed in their pickleballtournaments.com profile. All paddles used must be on the USA Pickleball approved list. Results from the tournament will be submitted to DUPR for player rating updates.
Schedule and Divisions
The Iron Horse Open will run over multiple days, with matches organized by age and skill:
Friday: Split age doubles — one player must be age 50 or older and one under 50. Morning events include gender doubles; afternoon features mixed doubles. Skill levels are divided into 3.5 and under, and 4.0 and above.
Saturday: Skill and age-based gender doubles.
Sunday: Mixed doubles split by age groups (16, 35, 50, and 65+) and skill levels (3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and Open).
Round robin play will lead into single elimination medal rounds, with a bronze medal game. Open divisions (minimum six teams) will use a double elimination bracket and include prize money.
Advancement and Prizes
Gold medalists from the tournament will qualify for the True North Pickleball Tour Championship in September. Matches will be played using the Franklin X40 yellow ball, the official ball of the True North Pickleball Tour.
Event Check-In and Court Rules
Players must check in each day they compete and be ready to play at least 30 minutes before their start time. Games may begin early if courts are free. There will be five minutes for the first game warm-up and two minutes for following matches. Players must follow these times to keep the schedule on track.
Court assignments and updates will be sent by text. Players must carry their phones when not on court. After each game, the winning team must return the score sheet and ball basket to the tournament desk.
Weather and Refund Policy
The Iron Horse Open is an outdoor event. If weather causes a full event cancellation, players will receive a 50% refund of the event fee. If no other events can be played, players will also get 50% back on their registration fee.
Refunds, minus a CAD 10.00 admin fee, are available only until July 24. No refunds will be issued after that date for any reason, including injury or illness. Organizers noted:
“If your event is canceled you will receive a 50% refund on the event fee. If you are unable to play any other events you will also receive a 50% refund on the registration fee.”
Importance of the Iron Horse Open
The Iron Horse Open brings together amateur players in a competitive setting while supporting local pickleball development. With a clear format, fair prize structure, and national qualifying opportunities, the tournament plays a key role in Canada’s pickleball growth. It also boosts the local club and builds stronger community ties through sport.
News in Brief: Iron Horse Open Pickleball Tournament
The Iron Horse Open returns to Pinafore Park in St. Thomas, Ontario. Set for late July, it welcomes all skill levels. Top players will qualify for a national tour championship. The event supports the St. Thomas Pickleball Club and helps grow the sport across Canada
ALSO READ: Bristol Sportsplex Prepares to Host Exciting 2025 Veolia Bristol Open Pickleball Tournament