Greensboro Golden Ticket Showdown:Â Top pickleball players from around the country will gather at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex in North Carolina for the USA Pickleball Golden Ticket Tournament from May 28 to June 1, 2025. This event is one of 18 national qualifiers for the 2025 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships. Spectators are invited to attend the event for free and cheer on their favorite players. Registration closed on May 18, 2025.
What Players Need to Know
This Golden Ticket tournament is part of the only series that qualifies athletes for Nationals. The USA Pickleball Golden Ticket Series is a high-level competition designed to select the best players across the country.
All registered players must be Champion Level USA Pickleball members, which costs $60 per year. Their membership must stay active until June 1, 2025, the final day of the tournament.
Players are also required to have a UTR profile on www.UTRsports.net. Those signing up for doubles without a partner are added to a Waitlist until they email their partner’s name to tournaments@usapickleball.org. A doubles team is only officially signed up when both players register and pay. If a division fills up, late teams will not be admitted to the Main Draw.
Entry Fees and Insurance
The entry fee is $125, and players pay $40 per division plus a $5 Verified Fee by UTR. Those who are UTR Power members get a $5 discount per division. Optional Weather & Registration Insurance is available for $28. Players may choose this option during sign-up.
If a player withdraws before May 18 at 11:30 p.m. EST, they get a refund minus a $25 withdrawal fee and a small UTR service fee (usually $1.99). If they cancel after the deadline and do not have insurance, no refund is given.
How the Tournament Works
The event is USA Pickleball MMP Sanctioned, meaning trained officials will oversee as many matches as possible. The format includes Round Robin and Pool Play, followed by Playoffs:
- 8 or more teams: Pool Play; top 2 teams move to Playoffs
- 4–7 teams: Round Robin; top 4 teams move to Playoffs
- 3 or fewer teams: May be combined with another division
Each match will be 1 game to 15 points, win by 2. Every player is guaranteed at least 3 matches. Playoff and pre-medal matches follow the same format. Bronze and gold medal matches are best 2 of 3 games to 11 points, win by 2. Medals are awarded based on each division’s original sign-up list.
Why It Matters
Winning a Golden Ticket at this tournament means players skip other qualifiers and go straight to Nationals. With so much on the line, Greensboro will see strong competition and high energy. Spectators are encouraged to attend.
This event gives athletes a clear shot at the 2025 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships and adds to the excitement surrounding one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.
News in Brief: Greensboro Golden Ticket Showdown
The USA Pickleball Golden Ticket event takes place May 28–June 1, 2025, at Greensboro Coliseum. Winners qualify for Nationals. Entry fees start at $125. Players must meet strict rules and deadlines. Spectator entry is free, and excitement is high as players compete for spots in the 2025 championships.
ALSO READ: USA Pickleball Golden Ticket Event: Macon Open 2025 Registration and Details