NANKAIOsaka Esaka Open2027Tentative

• Entries are accepted regardless of membership status. After you enter, the office checks your membership status, and will contact players whose membership cannot be confirmed as valid on the first day of the event.
• If it cannot be confirmed by the deadline, your entry may be canceled. For doubles, the cancellation applies to the whole pair.
• If your membership is valid on the first day of the event, you may play in all events even if it expires during the event.

• Players under 18 on the first day of the event (minors) need written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
• Download the "Consent Form for Participants Under 18" here (Japanese).
• After reviewing the terms, have the parent or guardian fill in the submission section below the cut line by hand, listing every category the player will enter.
• Cut off the submission section and hand it to the tournament desk before competition begins on the day. If you play on multiple days, submit it on your first day.
• Players without a submitted consent form cannot compete.

• Members of organizations with a paid group registration with PJ receive an entry fee discount. (Individual registrants are not eligible.)
• The group registration discount is applied based on your registration status at the time of entry.
• The discount is ¥500 per person. (For doubles, up to ¥1,000 per pair.)
• If you complete your entry without the discount, it cannot be applied afterward. If you belong to an eligible organization, please be sure to check before you enter.

• Registration closes for each category as soon as it reaches capacity (16 entries). There is no waiting list.
• If you withdraw your entry: your entry fee is fully refunded, including system usage and payment processing fees.
• If you wait as an ALT: you will be moved up in order of receipt if a cancellation occurs. If you are not moved up by 12:00 PM JST on Tuesday, January 12, 2027, your entry fee is refunded. System usage and payment processing fees are not refunded.

*If entries arrive at the same time, more than the remaining spots may be accepted simultaneously, exceeding capacity. In that case, entries are confirmed in order of receipt and the excess entries are placed on the ALT (alternate) list. The office will contact those players.

*Players placed on the ALT list will be contacted by the office and asked to choose between waiting as an ALT or withdrawing their entry. If we do not hear from you within 3 days of contacting you, your entry will be withdrawn and fully refunded.

• To change your partner, cancel your current entry during the registration period (until 11:59 PM JST on Friday, January 8, 2027) and enter again with your new partner.
• System usage and payment processing fees for the canceled entry are not refunded. They are charged again when you re-enter.
• Re-entry is also first come, first served. If the category is already full at that time, you cannot enter.
• Partner changes are not possible after the registration period ends.

• Credit card

*Entry fees and system fees are paid on the Tournated registration screen.

• Pool play: one game to 11 (win by 2)
• Playoffs: one game to 15 (win by 2)

*Pool play is held, and the top two of each pool advance to the single-elimination playoff.

*With 16 entries, pool play is held in four pools of four entries, and the top two entries of each pool (8 entries in total) advance to the playoff. The number and makeup of pools will change depending on the number of entries. There may also be pool play only.

Referees

• Referees are assigned to the final. Depending on progress, they may also be assigned to the third-place match.
• All other matches are self-officiated.
• The Tournament Director (TD) makes the final decision when there is a dispute.

Draw

The draw will be made on Tuesday, January 12, 2027 and published on Tournated afterward. Estimated match start times (a guide) and the schedule will also be announced together with it. These may change depending on progress on the day, so please understand in advance.

Score Corrections

If a match result is wrong, please contact the organizer within one week after the event (by 11:59 PM JST on Sunday, January 31, 2027).
Contact: office@japanpickleball.org

*Requests after this period cannot be handled. Results are finalized at the end of the period and reflected in the ranking points.

Ranking Points

Regular PJ points are awarded.

*The DUPR under 3.5 and 60+ categories are not eligible for ranking points.

Rules

This event uses the "PJ Recommended Manners & Rules."

*The PJ rules are based on the rules set by USA Pickleball.

Awards

Winner, runner-up, and third place in each category

*Awards may change depending on the number of participants in each category.

• A DUPR account is required to play (a rating is not required). You may be asked to show it when necessary.
• DUPR ratings (doubles) are based on the value at the time of entry.

Paddles

• Because on-site registration has been abolished, there is no paddle check at registration. Using a USAP (USA) or UPA (UPA-A) approved paddle is the responsibility of the player or pair, and the following penalties apply to violations.
• Before a match: you may play after switching to an approved paddle.
• During a match: the match ends at that point as a default (DEF; not reflected in scores or DUPR). All later matches in the same event are also DEF.
• After a match: the result of that match stands. All later matches in the same event are DEF.
• Deliberate modification or false declaration: disqualification from all events.

*For matches that become DEF, if the opponent wishes, the match is played as an unofficial match after switching to an approved paddle (to ensure enough matches; not reflected in standings or DUPR).

*If your paddle has no print showing either approval, please bring proof.

Paddle Reports & Checks

• Reports can be made by all players competing that day, referees, and staff (reports from spectators are treated as information only).
• Reports must be made in person to tournament staff, giving your name. The TD or a referee makes the decision.
• Play is stopped for a check even during a match.
• If baseless reports continue, the TD may issue a warning and stop accepting further reports.

• Example: a 55-year-old can enter 50+, 35+, and 19+.
• If a category has fewer than 4 entries, it may be merged with another category. The TD decides how to merge depending on the number of entries.

• PJ and its official agents may take photographs and videos during the event.
• Photos and videos taken may be used, to promote and popularize pickleball and to publicize the event, on the official PJ website (including top-page banners and featured images), social media, promotional materials, printed materials, and similar channels.
• By participating, you are deemed to have agreed to the filming and use described above.
• Please obtain your opponent's permission before filming or sharing your own match.

• Event details, schedules, and other arrangements may change due to the number of participants, social conditions, or other unavoidable circumstances.
• First aid will be provided for injuries or accidents during competition. However, except where caused by the organizer, the organizer and the venue cannot be held responsible for any matters thereafter.
• Except where caused by the organizer, the organizer and the venue accept no liability for any damage suffered by participants, including injury, accident, or theft.
• If a participant's negligence causes damage to the venue facilities, other participants, or any other third party, that participant shall be liable for the full amount of the damage.
• The organizer holds recreation insurance.

• The event may be canceled or changed due to severe weather, natural disasters such as earthquakes, spread of infectious disease, venue circumstances, or other unavoidable reasons.
• If the organizer cancels all play for a day before competition begins, entry fees for the categories scheduled that day are refunded (excluding system usage and payment processing fees).
• No refunds are given if play is canceled, suspended, or shortened after competition has started.
• No refunds are given for absences due to personal circumstances, such as transport disruption or illness.
• If a refund is due, the timing depends on the card company.

• Check your match calls on Tournated. Only the final call may be announced over the public address system.
• Courts not in use for matches may be used for practice during the event. Please vacate promptly if instructed by a match monitor.
• If players are not all on the court 5 minutes after a call, a final call is made. A player who does not arrive within 10 minutes of the final call is treated as a withdrawal. Withdrawals are decided match by match.
• If you must withdraw after entries close, contact the office (office@japanpickleball.org) by 12:00 PM JST on Tuesday, January 12, 2027. The entry fee is not refunded.
• If you notify us after 12:00 PM JST on January 12, 2027, or do not notify us, your name stays in the draw and you will be treated as a withdrawal for each match.
• Please follow the instructions of tournament officials and referees during the event.
• All players are treated fairly.
• Parts of these guidelines may be changed depending on the circumstances.