Pickleball Home Page

Outdoor Pickleball

Join one of the world's fastest-growing sports!

 

Basic Info

  • Pickleball joins the lineup in 2026! 
  • Some information appears on this page. More is found in our Frequently Asked Questions and the rulebook linked in the grey menu bar toward the top of the page. General club policies can be found at the bottom of this page in the Info & Help section 

 

Format

  • Leagues are “all gender” doubles. “All gender” means you don't need a specific gender mix on the court. There are two separate leagues, depending on whether you're signing up as a team or individual (details in the following two sections)
  • All leagues (both team and Individual) operate under a form of pool play called “box ladder.” Typical pool play includes four games per night against rotating opponents with an “out” spot for each time slot. The out spot is eliminated if a team or individual player doesn't show, which should virtually eliminate people not being able to play due to forfeits. Teams can move up or down the ladder weekly based on results of pool play. This should get everyone playing against others of similar skill after the first few weeks. The format may be adjusted depending on the number of signups
  • Players supply their own paddles. Balls will be available from MSSC, although we recommend teams bring their own for warmups and in the event a site monitor has an emergency and can't make it. Both teams must agree on any ball used. MSSC recommends the Franklin X-40 for outdoor play
  • Individual games are played to 11 points (cap at 13). A standard schedule has four games per night with one out spot, for a total of 1 hour and 15 minutes on site
  • Games are self-officiated and teams record their own scores
  • Our rulebook is in the menu bar above. We largely follow USA Pickleball rules, but their rulebook is 96 pages, and we've tried to condense ours down to the most important points

 

Team Registration

  • For those who already have teammates lined up. You'll have the same playing partners all season and will play against other registered teams
  • There is a roster minimum of three players to help avoid forfeits due to illness, injury, travel, etc. All players don't need to show up each week. You can consider anyone over two players to be your “subs,” but all players on the roster must be available to play regularly on whichever day(s) you register
  • Teams will engage in pool play based on skill level. You can see an example here: box ladder example - teams. The format may be adjusted depending on the number of teams signed up.

 

Individual Registration

  • Individual registration is different for pickleball than all other sports. You're registering yourself only and are not expecting to play with any other particular individuals. Don't register under this option if you have a friend (or friends) with whom you want to play. Register a team instead. We can probably find you a third (or fourth) player if needed
  • Registration will be “confirmed” immediately since there is no team assignment needed in the format we're using. There's no guarantee you'll have a spot though, as we need enough registrations any given night to make a league work
  • You'll be placed into groups based on your initial self-reported skill level and will have different teammates throughout the night and the season. Typically, each box will have 5-6 players in it based on skill rating. You'll play several matches each night and can move up or down the “ladder” weekly based on cumulative points scored in your games. You can see an example here: box ladder example - Individuals. The format may be adjusted based on the number of signups
  • This option is ideal for those who are new to town or don't know anyone in the pickleball community and want to meet new people. You'll play with and against a lot of different people over the course of a season, and should end up in a group with others of similar skill level

 

Resources

  • Check out MSSC Pickleball or Madison Area Pickleball on Facebook to find a teammate or sub or ask any pickleball-related questions
  • We encourage everyone to become familiar with official pickleball skill levels. Please visit USA Pickleball's skill level page. Use the info on that page in combination with this chart to gauge your skill level. We'll move to official levels after we've run a few seasons and players become more familiar with them
  • There are countless pickleball rules explanation and skill development videos on YouTube

 

Skill Level and Divisions

  • Teams and Individuals self-select their skill level during registration. We ask for DUPR ratings for those who have them. For the first few seasons, those without a rating will be asked to assess their skill on a scale of 1-10 to the best of their ability (similar to our other leagues)
  • We encourage everyone to become familiar with official pickleball skill levels. Please visit USA Pickleball's skill level page. Use the info on that page in combination with this chart to gauge your skill level. We'll move to official levels after we've run a few seasons and players become more familiar with them
  • We expect leagues to be largely beginner and intermediate level players in the first few seasons as we grow our program
  • There will be an adjustment period for the first few seasons as we get leagues off the ground and grow them. We ask that players be patient with any large skill disparities between teams, as those should eventually level out

 

Dates and Locations

  • Late Summer/Fall 2026 outdoor leagues are offered at Tenney Park (east side) and Rennebohm Park (west side). Both locations have courts that are dual striped for tennis and pickleball and also have lights. The dual court structure means there's plenty of space to warm up outside of the playing area if you don't have the first game of the night. The Rennebohm courts were recently resurfaced and are in great shape
  • Locations for any given league are not set in stone. They're subject to change at any time based on the whims of Madison Parks or any other facilities we use. We often have leagues that end up changing facilities for one reason or another, and players should be prepared to play wherever the league is located

 

Deadline and League Capacity

All leagues have a capacity. Registration for all leagues typically closes on the same day. Please check the league details below.

 

Scheduling

  • Schedules for the first week will be posted as soon as reasonably possible. It may be with very short notice, as we sometimes need to move teams and players around after registration ends to make pool play work. Schedules are posted weekly thereafter, and your start time could be different every week. If you signed up for Tuesday nights, you play on Tuesday nights, and should be available for any time slot.
  • Please find subs for any date you're unable to play. We may not be able to accommodate byes due to the structure of these leagues
  • We don't play on major Federal holidays like Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, etc. See our scheduling page for more details

 

Site Monitors

We're looking for Site Monitors to assist with our leagues. These are paid positions, and typical duties will include bringing equipment to the site, answering questions from players, submitting scores, etc. Read the full job description. You'll be asked during registration if you're interested in this position, but you can take the next step by applying on our jobs page.

 

Questions? Check out our FAQ or Contact Us.

 
Pickleball Icon Pickleball
  All gender doubles

Monday Summer Pickleball West - Teams

  • Locations: Rennebohm Park
  • • Day: Monday • Started: Monday, August 17
    • Deadline: Saturday, August 15
More Info
Sign up by team OR by individual
  • Team
    Total: $100.00 
  • $20.00 Deposit
More Info
Locations for Monday Summer Pickleball West - Teams
Schedule Standings

MSSC's inaugural pickleball season! The format is all gender pool play. Location is Rennebohm Park. Registration closes seven days prior to the start date (unless already sold out).

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions](^/page/faq) before you register for a league. If you still have questions, please [Contact Us.

Dates: 8.17, 8.24, 8.31, 9.14, 9.21, 9.28, 10.5, 10.12

Start Times: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Pickleball Icon Pickleball
  All gender doubles

Monday Summer Pickleball East - Team

  • Locations: Tenney Park
  • • Day: Monday • Started: Monday, August 17
    • Deadline: Sunday, August 16
More Info
Sign up by team OR by individual
  • Team
    Total: $100.00 
  • $20.00 Deposit
More Info
Locations for Monday Summer Pickleball East - Team
Schedule Standings

MSSC's inaugural pickleball season! The format is all gender pool play. Location is Tenney Park. Registration closes seven days prior to the start date (unless already sold out).

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions](^/page/faq) before you register for a league. If you still have questions, please [Contact Us.

Dates: 8.17, 8.24, 8.31, 9.7, 9.14, 9.21, 9.28, 10.5, 10.12, 10.19

Start Times: 6:15 PM - 9:45 PM

Pickleball Icon Pickleball
  Pool play

Monday Summer Pickleball East - Indy

  • Locations: Tenney Park
  • • Day: Monday • Started: Monday, August 17
    • Deadline: Monday, August 10
More Info
Sign up by team OR by individual
More Info
Locations for Monday Summer Pickleball East - Indy
Schedule Standings

MSSC's inaugural pickleball season! The format is all gender pool play. Location is Tenney Park. Registration closes seven days prior to the start date (unless already sold out).

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions](^/page/faq) before you register for a league. If you still have questions, please [Contact Us.

Dates: 8.17, 8.24, 8.31, 9.7, 9.14, 9.21, 9.28, 10.5, 10.12, 10.19

Start Times: 6:15 PM - 9:45 PM

Pickleball Icon Pickleball
  Pool play

Monday Summer Pickleball West - Indy

  • Locations: Rennebohm Park
  • • Day: Monday • Started: Monday, August 17
    • Deadline: Monday, August 10
More Info
Sign up by team OR by individual
More Info
Locations for Monday Summer Pickleball West - Indy
Schedule Standings

MSSC's inaugural pickleball season! The format is all gender pool play. Location is Tenney Park. Registration closes seven days prior to the start date (unless already sold out).

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions](^/page/faq) before you register for a league. If you still have questions, please [Contact Us.

Dates: 8.17, 8.24, 8.31, 9.7, 9.14, 9.21, 9.28, 10.5, 10.12

Start Times: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Pickleball Icon Pickleball
  All gender doubles

Tuesday Summer Pickleball West - Team

  • Locations: Rennebohm Park
  • • Day: Tuesday • Started: Tuesday, August 18
    • Deadline: Wednesday, August 12
More Info
Sign up by team OR by individual
  • Team
    Total: $100.00 
  • $20.00 Deposit
More Info
Locations for Tuesday Summer Pickleball West - Team
Schedule Standings

MSSC's inaugural pickleball season! The format is all gender pool play. Location is Rennebohm Park. Registration closes seven days prior to the start date (unless already sold out).

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions](^/page/faq) before you register for a league. If you still have questions, please [Contact Us.

Dates: 8.18, 8.25, 9.1, 9.8, 9.15, 9.22, 9.29, 10.6, 10.13

Start Times: 6:15 PM - 9:45 PM

Pickleball Icon Pickleball
  All gender doubles

Tuesday Summer Pickleball East

  • Locations: Tenney Park
  • • Day: Tuesday • Started: Tuesday, August 18
    • Deadline: Tuesday, August 11
More Info
Sign up by team OR by individual
  • Team
    Total: $100.00 
  • $20.00 Deposit
More Info
Locations for Tuesday Summer Pickleball East
Schedule Standings

MSSC's inaugural pickleball season! The format is all gender pool play. Location is Tenney Park. Registration closes seven days prior to the start date (unless already sold out).

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions](^/page/faq) before you register for a league. If you still have questions, please [Contact Us.

Dates: 8.18, 8.25, 9.1, 9.8, 9.15, 9.22, 9.29, 10.6

Start Times: 6:15 PM - 9:45 PM

Pickleball Icon Pickleball
  Pool play

Tuesday Summer Pickleball West - Indy

  • Locations: Rennebohm Park
  • • Day: Tuesday • Started: Tuesday, August 18
    • Deadline: Monday, August 10
More Info
Sign up by team OR by individual
More Info
Locations for Tuesday Summer Pickleball West - Indy
Schedule Standings

MSSC's inaugural pickleball season! The format is all gender pool play. Location is Tenney Park. Registration closes seven days prior to the start date (unless already sold out).

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions](^/page/faq) before you register for a league. If you still have questions, please [Contact Us.

Dates: 8.18, 8.25, 9.1, 9.8, 9.15, 9.22, 9.29, 10.6

Start Times: 6:15 PM - 9:45 PM

Pickleball Icon Pickleball
  All gender doubles

Wednesday Summer Pickleball East - Team

  • Locations: Tenney Park
  • • Day: Wednesday • Started: Wednesday, August 19
    • Deadline: Wednesday, August 12
More Info
Sign up by team OR by individual
  • Team
    Total: $100.00 
  • $20.00 Deposit
More Info
Locations for Wednesday Summer Pickleball East - Team
Schedule Standings

MSSC's inaugural pickleball season! The format is all gender pool play. Location is Tenney Park. Registration closes seven days prior to the start date (unless already sold out).

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions](^/page/faq) before you register for a league. If you still have questions, please [Contact Us.

Dates: 8.19, 8.26, 9.2, 9.9, 9.16, 9.23, 9.30, 10.7

Start Times: 6:15 PM - 9:45 PM

Pickleball Icon Pickleball
  Pool play

Wednesday Summer Pickleball East - Indy

  • Locations: Tenney Park
  • • Day: Wednesday • Started: Wednesday, August 19
    • Deadline: Monday, August 10
More Info
Sign up by team OR by individual
More Info
Locations for Wednesday Summer Pickleball East - Indy
Schedule Standings

MSSC's inaugural pickleball season! The format is all gender pool play. Location is Tenney Park. Registration closes seven days prior to the start date (unless already sold out).

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions](^/page/faq) before you register for a league. If you still have questions, please [Contact Us.

Dates: 8.19, 8.26, 9.2, 9.9, 9.16, 9.23, 9.30

Start Times: 6:15 PM - 9:45 PM

Pickleball Icon Pickleball
  All gender doubles

Thursday Summer Pickleball - West

  • Locations: Rennebohm Park
  • • Day: Thursday • Started: Thursday, August 20
    • Deadline: Thursday, August 13
More Info
Sign up by team OR by individual
  • Team
    Total: $100.00 
  • $20.00 Deposit
More Info
Locations for Thursday Summer Pickleball - West
Schedule Standings

MSSC's inaugural pickleball season! The format is all gender pool play. Location is Rennebohm Park. Registration closes seven days prior to the start date (unless already sold out).

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions](^/page/faq) before you register for a league. If you still have questions, please [Contact Us.

Dates: 8.20, 8.27, 9.3, 9.10, 9.17, 9.24, 10.1, 10.8

Start Times: 6:15 PM - 9:45 PM

Pickleball Icon Pickleball
  All gender doubles

Thursday Summer Pickleball - East

  • Locations: Tenney Park
  • • Day: Thursday • Started: Thursday, August 20
    • Deadline: Thursday, August 13
More Info
Sign up by team OR by individual
  • Team
    Total: $100.00 
  • $20.00 Deposit
More Info
Locations for Thursday Summer Pickleball - East
Schedule Standings

MSSC's inaugural pickleball season! The format is all gender pool play. Location is Tenney Park. Registration closes seven days prior to the start date (unless already sold out).

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions](^/page/faq) before you register for a league. If you still have questions, please [Contact Us.

Dates: 8.20, 8.27, 9.3, 9.10, 9.17, 9.24, 10.1, 10.8

Start Times: 6:15 PM - 9:45 PM