Which scoring formats are allowed in sanctioned tournaments?

All scoring options are win by 2, except that team play may use win by 1 (Rule 15.C).

Standard (side-out) scoring (Rule 15.C.1):

• Best 2 of 3 games to 11
• Best 3 of 5 games to 11
• One game to 15 or 21
• One game to 11 (only for round robins with six or more teams)

Rally scoring (provisional) (Rule 15.C.2): one game, best 2 of 3, or best 3 of 5, to 11, 15 or 21 points. The Tournament Director can't use rally scoring for double-elimination doubles events, 2026 USA Pickleball Golden Ticket events, or the 2026 USA Pickleball National Championships. For inclement weather, the TD may approve games to 7 with an end change at 4 in a single-game match or the tie-breaker game.

In double elimination, if the consolation bracket winner beats the winners' bracket winner in the final, a tie-breaker match to 15 decides first and second (Rule 15.B.1).