HERTFORDSHIRE OPEN PICKLEBALL TOURNIVAL 24th January 2026

We all love a pickleball festival, but if you also like the added spice of competition then this event is for you! It’s called a Tournival because it’s a cross between a festival (with the aim of playing with and against lots of different people i.e. no fixed pairings) and a tournament (since it is a (light-hearted) competition, in skill brackets, with medals to play for). 2026 will see the 4th Tournival, and these events have proved very popular previously, so be sure to apply as promptly as you can – see below. 

The Venue

The Tournival will be held at the Hertfordshire Sports Village, which is part of the University of Hertfordshire’s de Havilland Campus in Hatfield. This venue will be familiar to many since it has been used for previous Mixed Doubles tournaments and Festivals, as well as last year’s Tournival. We will have 12 courts for the day in 3 adjoining halls. There is a café onsite for light refreshments. 

Event Format (subject to participant numbers)

In order to cater for the full range of abilities, the event will be divided into 4 skill groups: - Red – broadly for players rated between 2.5 and 3.0 Yellow – broadly for players rated between 3.0 and 3.5 Green – broadly for players rated between 3.5 and 4.0 Blue for players rated 4.0 and above All players will play10 games: 5 mixed doubles and 5 gender doubles, with rest breaks between games, and a longer break at the halfway point. There will also be some time for “warm-up” play before the competition starts.  

Travel and Accommodation

The venue is easily accessible by car being close to the A1(M), just 5 miles from the M25, and there is parking which will be free on the day. The post code is AL10 9EU. Hatfield railway station is served by Thameslink trains and the journey from Kings Cross takes 25 minutes. However, the venue is a taxi ride from the station. Being a one-day event, it is expected that many players will travel to and from the event on the day. However, the Comet Hotel is a short walk from the venue. https://comethotel.co.uk/ and there are many other hotels a short drive away. 

Registration & Fees

The registration process will start at 7pm on Sunday 26 October. Players must register as individuals by sending an application email, with Tournival in the Subject, to hertspickleball@gmail.com containing ALL the following information: - First Name Last Name Gender Age Skill Rating and which bracket you wish to play in Club(s) Mobile Number Email Address Note: Once applications have been processed, but not before 24 November, payment instructions will be issued to those allocated places. The registration fee is £40 per player, and once payment has been received, a receipt will be issued completing the registration. The organisers may choose to allocate some places by ballot if there is high demand.

Volunteering

This event, like all Pickleball England events is volunteer run. A lot of things will be planned out in advance but it is always helpful to have some extra pairs of hands, (and feet) on the day. If you would be willing to help, please send an email to hertspickleball@gmail.com.  

Tournival Terms & Conditions

By applying to enter the Tournival you agree to the following: • You promise to notify the organisers promptly if you become unable to attend, since the tournival will be disrupted if there are not the correct number of players. • Cancellation and refund requests must be made before 25th December, after which registration fees are non-refundable. Refunds will be subject to a £5 admin fee. • The Organisers have discretion to vary the format of the Tournival as deemed necessary, and their decision is final.  • Promise to uphold pickleball England values. • Acceptance of the following waiver: RELEASE, PERMISSION AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT Waiver: In consideration of being permitted to participate in any way in the Tournival, you, your heirs or assigns must hereby release, waive, discharge and covenant not to sue the Tournival players or the organisers, its/their officers, employees and agents from liability for any and all claims resulting from personal injuries, accidents or illness (including death) and property loss arising from participation in the Tournival. Assumption of risk: Participation in the Tournival carries with it certain inherent risks that cannot be eliminated regardless of the care taken to avoid injuries. These specific risks vary, but include: 1) minor injuries such as bruises, sprains or dehydration; 2) major injuries such as eye injuries, joint, bone or back injuries, heat stroke, heart attacks and concussions; 3) catastrophic injuries such as paralysis or death. You must have read the previous paragraphs and know, understand and appreciate these and other risks are inherent in attending the Tournival. You must assert that your participation is voluntary and that you knowingly assume all such risks. You must also agree to indemnify and hold the Tournival harmless from any and all claims, actions, suits, costs, expenses, damages and liabilities, including solicitor’s fees brought as a result of your involvement in the Tournival. You must also give the Tournival and its agents and designees permission to use or distribute, without limitation or obligation, your image, name, voice and words for any purpose connected with the Tournival, including promotional, marketing, training, informational and archival use.