The Pickleball Community Cup Heads to Mooloolaba
Gawler proved the concept. Now the Pickleball Community Cup is heading to Queensland. And it's built for everyday players.
From 9–11 October 2026, the Sunshine Coast becomes Stop Two of the travelling series, with Mooloolaba Tennis Club hosting a weekend that doubles down on the idea that carried South Australia: community first, competition second.
Built on Partnership
Run by Pickleball Aus and the National Pickleball League (NPL) in partnership with Tennis Australia, the Community Cup is a national initiative designed to bring quality competition and a pro-level player experience to amateur pickleball across Australia.
This weekend was representative of what can happen when organisations align over a shared vision. Tennis Australia, alongside Pickleball Aus and NPL came together for a unified vision of what sports could look like. Inclusive spaces for everyone, because everyone playing deserves a stage.
Mooloolaba Tennis Club stepping in as host is that partnership in action. A tennis club opening its courts to a national pickleball event isn't a small gesture - it's a statement about where the sport is headed, and who gets to be part of that.
Who This Is For
The Community Cup is explicitly for players rated under 4.5 DUPR—Beginner, Intermediate, and Intermediate Plus—who want real competition without the usual barriers. It's for the amateur and everyday players who make the game what it is.
That’s the whole premise: everyday players, treated to a pro-level experience. Gawler set the tone. Mooloolaba builds on it—a new region, a new club, the same core idea that community is the point, not the undercard.
Divisions are split by age (Opens and Masters 50+) and by skill (Beginner <3.0, Intermediate <3.5, Intermediate Plus <4.5), so wherever you sit in the sport, there’s a bracket built for you.
The Weekend, At a Glance
Friday — Friday Night Social Teams of four (2 male, 2 female) go head-to-head from 6:00–8:00/8:30pm. Live music, food, drink, and club colours encouraged. It won't count toward DUPR — it's not meant to. It's the version of the weekend that's just about showing up.
Saturday — Gender Doubles Male Doubles and Female Doubles, round robin into single elimination. First to 15, win by 2 in the knockout rounds.
Sunday — Mixed Doubles The weekend closes the way Gawler did — mixed pairs, finals energy, and a minimum of three guaranteed matches for every entrant.
Divisions split by age (Opens and Masters 50+) and by skill (Beginner <3.0, Intermediate <3.5, Intermediate Plus <4.5), so wherever you sit in the sport, there's a bracket built for you.
Registrations Open
Registrations are open now on LADER. If Gawler is anything to go by, this one won't stay quiet for long.
Want to play? Find a pickleball court near you or read our beginner's guide to pickleball.