Sanctioning & Subsidizes

Process to have your tournament sanctioned

If you want your tournament to be sanctioned, you first need to get your sanctioned tournament request approved (a formal approval letter) from Pickleball BC (PBC). Apply to President@PickleballBC.ca with details of your tournament for PBC approval first, then go to Pickleball Canada (“PCO”) to attach your approval letter (now required first) and apply there to complete your request.

PCO defines a sanctioned tournament as: “A Sanctioned Tournament is one which, upon request from your Tournament Director, has been endorsed first by Pickleball BC (“PBC”) and then by Pickleball Canada (“PCO”) as meeting standards defined by the international rules of pickleball and Pickleball Canada. To be sanctioned by PBC/PCO means an event meets those standards, is well-organized, fair and safe for competitors, and follows the rules and regulations set by the governing bodies.”

Reasons for hosting sanctioned tournaments

Hosting a PBC/PCO sanctioned tournament offers advantages for both organizers and players. Sanctioned events receive financial support, national promotion, and official recognition, helping tournaments attract more participants and deliver a high-quality competitive experience. For players, these tournaments provide consistent standards, opportunities to develop their DUPR ratings, and additional insurance coverage. These benefits strengthen the event—while supporting the continued growth of pickleball across Canada.

Visit PCO’s sanctioned tournament application for more information.

The PBC “Matching” Subsidy Program for BC Sanctioned Tournaments helps our clubs to utilize PBC-accredited referees for all matches. This photo is from the July 2025 Sanctioned BC Provincial Championships in Vernon, showing Maggie Murch (wearing blue) with Armaan Jiwa Mawji in the Mixed Doubles (5.0 and above), age (13 to 49), where they finished with gold medals.

Pickleball BC (PBC) BC sanctioned tournaments subsidy program for 2026

PBC is pleased to introduce for 2026 a “matching” subsidy program for BC sanctioned tournaments, complementing the existing subsidies provided by Pickleball Canada (“PCO”). This initiative is to enable tournaments to cover referee expenses and support the use of PBC accredited referees for every match in sanctioned tournaments, enhancing the overall tournament experience for players across British Columbia. This initiative is conditional on several requirements as outlined below, plus our condition that the PBC subsidy goes towards referee expenses in the specific sanctioned tournament.

PBC subsidy process and conditions include:

1. Fill out and submit the online application below or send the completed PDF to: TournamentCommittee@PickleballBC.ca
2. Make sure to include the name and email address of payee (assumes PBC eTransfer)
3. PBC tournament referee subsidy amounts include:
   1. One-day tournament: $200
   2. Two-day tournament: $400
   3. Three-day tournament: $600
4. To be eligible: all matches played in the tournament must be refereed
5. Terms and conditions of this subsidy program may be modified by PBC from time to time, and the program will expire as of midnight December 31, 2026.

According to PBC President David Snell: “Having an accredited PBC referee to call your match has numerous advantages such as but not limited to: ensures fair and accurate calls; matches run efficiently and players can concentrate on their game, not the rules or scoring; and official rules are enforced. Moreover, let our accredited referees do the heavy lifting with respect to rule enforcement and scoring, while you concentrate on the other important ingredient — your game!”

Download PDF application for PBC subsidies form

Online form: Soon