Petition to Move Collegiate Pickleball Events to Friday–Saturday Format

To: DUPR, NCPA, the PPA Tour, Major League Pickleball, and the Adidas Collegiate Pickleball Tour

We, the undersigned collegiate pickleball players, coaches, and supporters, respectfully request that collegiate pickleball tournaments be scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays, rather than Saturdays and Sundays.

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The Problem

Collegiate pickleball is growing rapidly, with teams training hard and traveling long distances to compete — only to face an avoidable dilemma: Sunday matches force some teams or players to withdraw, regardless of how far they’ve advanced. This isn’t just one school’s problem. Players across the country come from faith traditions, family situations, or personal convictions that make Sunday play impossible or uncomfortable.

When a team has to forfeit, the tournament loses some of its best matchups, competitive integrity is compromised, and athletes are left with the disappointment of being unable to finish what they started.

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Why This Change Matters

 • Fairness & Competitive Integrity – No team should be disqualified from advancing simply because the schedule does not accommodate reasonable, widely held rest-day practices. Adjusting to a Friday–Saturday format would ensure that all teams have a true chance to finish out their bracket.
 • Inclusivity & Growth of the Sport – Collegiate pickleball is about building community and inviting new players to grow with the game. Keeping Sundays clear allows more athletes from diverse backgrounds to participate fully without compromising personal or religious values.
 • Player Wellness & Logistics – Finishing tournaments on Saturday gives teams time to travel home safely, prepare for classes on Monday, and recover physically from a demanding two-day competition.
 • Established Precedent – Many collegiate and club sports already run Friday–Saturday events to accommodate players’ needs. For example, NCAA volleyball, basketball, and track & field frequently use Friday–Saturday formats for regionals or tournaments. This approach has been proven successful and fair for decades.

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One of the most pressing examples of this is Brigham Young University (BYU). BYU has a competitive and dedicated collegiate pickleball team — but under the current Saturday–Sunday format, they must withdraw from matches held on Sundays, even if they have earned their place. This does not just hurt BYU athletes; it disrupts brackets and deprives other teams of the chance to compete against top-tier opponents.

BYU is not alone — other faith-based schools and players face similar challenges, and many more would benefit from a schedule that respects Sunday as a day of rest.

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We are passionate about competing, about pushing ourselves, and about representing our schools with pride. When Sunday play becomes a barrier, many are forced to choose between their values and the sport/team they love — a choice no athlete should have to make. This petition reflects a widespread desire for a schedule that is both fair and feasible for ALL teams, regardless of belief or background.

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Our Request

We respectfully urge Collegiate Pickleball organizers to adopt a Friday–Saturday schedule for tournaments or to offer formats that allow all rounds — including finals — to be completed by Saturday evening whenever possible.

This small adjustment will make a big difference in fairness, inclusivity, and the growth of collegiate pickleball as a whole.

Thank you for your consideration and for your commitment to building a sport that is truly open to every competitor.