Why This Edition Is Focused on These Events
This issue is dedicated to two upcoming events: the 2026 Boca Open and the Ivan Lendl Charity Pickleball Exhibition & Pro-Am. That’s by design.
I don’t promote tournaments casually. When I do, it’s because they’re well-run, player-focused, and genuinely good for the local pickleball community.
The Boca Open stands out for its round-robin format, strong organization, fair brackets, and its new home at Patch Reef Park with fully covered courts—details that directly affect the player experience.
The Ivan Lendl Charity Exhibition & Pro-Am goes a step further by supporting the Adaptive Sports Program, helping youth and adults with physical disabilities continue to play sports. That kind of impact matters.
I’m sharing these events because they respect players and strengthen the community we all enjoy. If either one fits your schedule—as a player or spectator—they’re worth a closer look.
I will be at the tournament next to the registration desk, so stop by to say ‘hello.’
—Bob
Pickleball Is Life proudly presents
the 2026 Boca Open!
REGISTER NOW HERE!
Our premier winter tournament is back—and bigger than ever—with nearly 600 players competing each year. After three incredible years at the iconic Delray Beach Tennis Center, the 2026 Boca Open moves to a brand-new home at the prestigious Patch Reef Paddle & Racquet Club in Boca Raton, FL, taking place February 26 – March 1, 2026. Patch Reef now features 18 brand-new, fully covered pickleball courts, in addition to its existing 12 courts, making it one of South Florida’s top pickleball destinations.
Ivan Lendl Charity Pickleball Exhibition & Pro-Am
Ivan Lendl is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. On Thursday evening of the tournament, he will host a special charity exhibition alongside top professional players to benefit his Adaptive Sports Program, which supports youth and adults living with physical disabilities continue to play sports. You can purchase tickets during registration, or CLICK HERE to secure general admission, VIP seating, or a Pro-Am ticket to play a game with Ivan. Individual and corporate donations are also welcome and greatly appreciated.
The Boca Open is a Round Robin Tournament!
At Pickleball is Life tournaments, our goal is to maximize the number of games each player plays. Brackets with 4–14 players/teams will use a round-robin format followed by playoffs. Players who make the playoffs will play 6–8 games, while players who do not advance to the playoffs will play 4–6 games. See below for more details on bracket formats.
Live Stream
Catch all the action on the Pickleball Is Life YouTube Channel! We live-stream many matches and record most courts, so you can share your matches, highlights, and victories with friends and family during or after the tournament.
Prizes & Payouts
So far this year, we have $17,844 worth of prizes,including paddles, pickleball bags, eyewear, water bottles, gift cards, and hats and other gear from Selkirk, Vulcan, CRBN, Diadem, Gearbox, Onix, Engage, DingK, Udrippin, Pure Science Labs, Dink Eyewear, PB5Star, and restaurants in Delray & Boca Raton. See the full list of prizes here.
The first 500 players get a $50 gift card for an Engage performance paddle.
The Open Division has awarded up to $12,600 in prize money in past years.
This year, we’re raising the bar once again—making the Boca Open bigger, better, and more exciting than ever before. Don’t miss it!
Registration
Registration includes:
Tournament Shirts: Players can choose from a variety of tournament shirt styles, including short-sleeve, racerback, muscle shirt, long-sleeve ($15 extra), or quarter-zip ($20 extra).
Amazing Prizes: Winners will take home medals and exciting prizes from our sponsors, including paddles, pickleball bags, water bottles, gift certificates for pickleball gear and restaurants, and more! Last year, our Delray Beach tournament awarded $24,176 in amateur prizes across all 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.
Player Hospitality: Enjoy complimentary snacks, fruit, and water in our well-stocked hospitality tent, available to all players.
Referees for Key Matches: Referees will be present for Open and Senior Open matches, as well as most amateur medal matches, ensuring a professional and fair competition.
Live Streaming: We know you love to watch your matches! We live stream and record multiple courts on the Pickleball is Life YouTube channel and Boca Open Facebook Page. Many of the matches will be available to watch after the tournament.
HOW TO SAVE MONEY
Volunteer: Sign up to Volunteer Here and receive a 25% refund for each time slot. Volunteer for 3 slots = 75% back!
Ambassador Program: Get 4 friends to register with a 5% discount code and receive a 20% discount. Email [email protected] to receive a discount code to share with friends and family.
Social Media: Post that you registered for the tournament with a link to our registration page and encourage your friends to do the same and receive a 5% discount.
Schedule By Day
Thursday Feb 26
Senior Men's & Women's Doubles - Senior Amateurs (ages 60-69, 70-74, 75+), Senior Open (50+, 60+)
Amateur Split-Age Coed Doubles (one player under 50, one player 50+)
Friday Feb 27
Amateur & Open Men's & Women's Singles - Amateurs (ages 9-34, 35-49, 50-59) and Open (all ages)
Senior Mixed Doubles - Amateurs (ages 60-69, 70-74, 75+), Senior Open (50+, 60+)
Junior Mixed Doubles (ages 8-12, 13-16)
Saturday Feb 28
Amateur & Open Men's & Women's Doubles - Amateurs (ages 9-34, 35-49, 50-59) and Open (all ages)
Senior Open Split-Age Coed Doubles (one player under 50 or 60, one player 50+ or 60+)
Senior Amateur Split-Age Coed Doubles (one player under 60, one player 60+)
Boys & Girls Singles - Juniors (ages 8-12, 13-16)
Sunday Mar 1
Amateur & Open Mixed Doubles - Amateurs (ages 9-34, 35-49, 50-59) and Open (all ages)
Senior Men's & Women's Singles - Amateurs (ages 60-69, 70-74, 75+), Senior Open (50+, 60+)
Boys & Girls Doubles - Juniors (ages 8-12, 13-16)
The Pickleball is Life Tournament Experience:
We work hard to ensure every aspect of the tournament is smooth, enjoyable, and memorable for all participants! With years of experience playing in pickleball tournaments and running them, we’re dedicated to providing the best possible experience for every player. Here’s what you can expect from our tournament:
Round Robin Play: Most brackets are run as Round Robin, followed by a single-elimination playoff for the top teams, ensuring every player gets 4 to 8 games (see full details below).
We use Pickleball Tournaments new feature that allows players to enter scores on their phones, which allows you to complete your bracket efficiently.
Fair Play: We carefully monitor all brackets to prevent sandbagging by reviewing players' DUPR and tournament histories (see details below).
Amazing Prizes: Winners will take home medals and exciting prizes from our sponsors, including paddles, pickleball bags, water bottles, gift certificates for pickleball gear and restaurants, and more! Last year, our Delray Beach tournament awarded $24,176 in amateur prizes across all 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.
Tournament Shirts: Players can choose from a variety of tournament shirt styles, including short-sleeve, racerback, muscle shirt, long-sleeve (extra cost), or quarter-zip (extra cost).
Live Streaming: We know you love to watch your matches! We live stream and record multiple courts on the Pickleball is Life YouTube channel and Boca Open Facebook Page. Many of the matches will be available to watch after the tournament.
Player Hospitality: Enjoy complimentary snacks, fruit, and water in our well-stocked hospitality tent, available to all players.
Referees for Key Matches: Referees will be present for Pro and Senior Pro matches, as well as most amateur medal matches, ensuring a professional and fair competition.
Convenient Payment Options: We accept Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, and credit card payments for easy registration. If you don't have a Venmo account click here to signup.
Food Options: A variety of food vendors will be available for players and spectators to enjoy.
Results Tracking: Tournament results will be immediately submitted to DUPR. Please join the Pickleball is Life DUPR Club.
Tournament & Pickleball is Life Facebook Pages
Follow the Boca Open Facebook Page to get regular updates on the tournament. All tournament videos and pictures will be published here! Also follow the Pickleball is Life Facebook Page to get regular updates on other Pickleball is Life tournaments.
Tournament Brackets
Adult amateur brackets include skill levels: 2.5 to 5.0 with age levels 9-34, 35-49, 50-59, Senior Amateur age levels 60-69, 70-74, 75+. Junior brackets have age levels 8-12 and 13-16. There are Open/Pro (all ages), Champions Open/Pro (age 50+) and Masters Open/Pro (age 60+) Moneyball brackets for all events with $50/player going towards prize money! The Junior, Amateur and Pro brackets are on different days from the Senior Amateur (60+), Champions Pro (50+) and Masters Pro (60+) brackets. You can only play in one event per day, but because senior players can play down in age you are allowed to play in both senior and non-senior events since they are on different days.
