Fall 2026 pickleball league

League Play: There will be a 6-week evening doubles league held on Tuesdays (5 weeks of regular season play + 1 end-of-season competition).  The regular season will begin August 25 and end on September 22.  As part of the league registration, a season-culminating competition will be offered for each skill level on Tuesday, September 29.  If any dates are canceled due to weather, we will extend the season up to 2 weeks.

Once team registration closes, we will place teams in divisions based on skill levels.

Week 1's games will not count in the final standings, but will be "Friendly Matches" for all teams. This will allow teams to determine whether the division they have chosen fits their skill level. Once week 1 games are completed, any teams wishing to change divisions must contact us no later than Thursday, August 27 to allow us adequate time to adjust the schedule.

Note: Teams that include one or more HCPSS Students, HCPSS Staff Members, and/or current (2026-2027) Viking Backers members are eligible for a team discount!  Scroll down to Costs section for more details! 

• Program play is open to players of all ages.  Players under age 14 must have adult supervision on-site at all times.  
• Teams will be split into divisions based on skill level:  It is anticipated a minimum of 2 divisions (Beginner/Advanced Beginner, and Intermediate) will be formed based on number of registering teams.
• We recommend anyone who has never played Pickleball before, or who has only played once or twice, or who is physically limited, to join our Beginner Division. 
• To determine your team’s skill level, here’s a quick summary of the levels used in our league:
  • Skill level 2.0 and under/Beginner: Team is just starting to play and has no other sports background. Minimal understanding of rules.
  • Skill Level 2.5/Advanced Beginner: Team has limited experience. Can sustain a short rally with players of equal ability. Basic ability to keep score.
  • Skill Level 3.0/Intermediate: Team has additional experience. Hits medium paced shots but inconsistently. Understands fundamental strategies.
  • Skill Level 3.5 and over/Advanced: Team is intermediate / advanced with consistent medium and faster play. Familiar with advanced concepts such as court position strategies.
• Should you register for one division and find during the first week's play that it’s not the best fit for you, contact our volunteers at the scorer's table that night and we will do our best. Any request to switch divisions must be submitted before Thursday, August 27. 
• If you are a single player and wish to be paired with a teammate, please visit the substitute player page here.  

• League play runs for 6 weeks beginning each Tuesday, starting August 25, through September 22 and culminating with a season-ending competition on Tuesday,  September 29
• Matches will run between 5pm and 8pm. (Due to early darkness we will start games earlier as the season progresses.) 
• Teams will typically have 3 or more scheduled matches to 15 points per night. 

$170 Early bird registration up until August 2.

$200 per team (2 people) starting August 3rd till season start. 

All registrations include two Viking Backers Pickleball t-shirts.

Team Discounts:

If one or more players on a team is a current HCPSS student, the team is eligible for a 20% discount. Use promo code "20PICKLE" at checkout during team registration.

If one or more players on a team is a current HCPSS employee, the team is eligible for a 10% discount. Use promo code "10PICKLE" at checkout during team registration.

If one or more players on a team is a paid 2026-2027 Viking Backers member, the team iis eligible for a 10% discount on the team registration. Use promo code "10PICKLE" at checkout during team registration. 

Want to use the 10PICKLE discount but not yet a member, just click here to be taken to our membership purchase page.  Once purchased, use code 10PICKLE at checkout to save!

All league players must:

1. Register online through the Viking Backers Website using this link.  Registrations are per 2-person team
2. Make payment at time of registration
3. Print and sign a waiver and bring it to first league night.

Payment Options, Paperwork, and Refunds

• Payment is due once registration opens; all payments are through this website's store. Teams may not start to play without an online payment, and completed waivers from both players.
• 90% Refunds will be offered if requested by August 4th
• 50% Refunds will be offered if requested by August 17th.
• No refunds will be offered after August 26th.
• Refunds can take up to 2 weeks to process.

 Weekly League/Game Play

• Each week's league play is expected to take place in the 2 hours following the start time.
• Schedules will be posted ahead of time.
• If a team is absent and/or misses a game on a Tuesday league night, the opposing team(s) will be granted the win(s), and the absent team will receive a loss for each missed game. If neither team attends, the game will be scored as a double forfeit. 

Cancellations/Weather Impacts 

• VBPP Volunteers will make the best possible decisions regarding safe Pickleball play at our facility, taking into account existing and forecasted weather, and existing rules that govern school property. All decisions are final.
• Weather cancellations may occur and we will strive to communicate that by email to League participants no later than 60 minutes before start time. If League play must be canceled during games, the current game score should be recorded. These games will be eligible for make-up.

Substitutes

• Substitute players are allowed at no cost. Waivers MUST be in place prior to a player participating on Mt. Hebron courts.
• There is no limit to the number of substitutes used during a season, nor the number of times a team uses substitute(s).
• A Substitute player may not play for more than one team per division per day. 
• In the season-ending competition, a team may use no more than one substitute player.

Provided Equipment

• The Pickleball Program will provide nets and balls for program play.

Players Provide

• Players provide their own paddles, hydration, and appropriate footwear.