Welcome to the NXT LVL Sportz Pickleball League! Our mission is to provide an organized, competitive, fair, and enjoyable experience for all participants.
All players are expected to review and follow these rules throughout the season.
1. League Divisions
Tuesday — Mixed Doubles Rally League
One male and one female player per team.
Partners remain together throughout the season.
Maximum of 12 teams (24 players).
First league night: November 10, 2026.
Thursday — Open Doubles Challenge League
Teams may consist of two men, two women, or one man and one woman.
Partners remain together throughout the season.
Maximum of 12 teams (24 players).
First league night: November 12, 2026.
Players must register with their designated partner. Permanent partner changes require approval from NXT LVL Sportz.
2. League Schedule & Format
League hours: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
Season length: 6 playing weeks, including playoffs.
Courts available: 3 pickleball courts.
Maximum registration: 12 teams per division.
Regular-season matches: 2 per team per league night.
League format: 5 weeks of regular-season play followed by a championship playoff bracket.
Official Season Calendar
Week
Tuesday Mixed Doubles
Thursday Open Doubles
1
November 10
November 12
2
November 17
November 19
Holiday Break
November 24 — OFF
November 26 — OFF
3
December 1
December 3
4
December 8
December 10
5
December 15
December 17
6 — Playoffs
December 22
December 21 (Monday)*
The Thursday Open Doubles championship is proposed for Monday, December 21, to avoid Christmas Eve on Thursday, December 24. The alternate championship date is subject to final confirmation by NXT LVL Sportz.
Match start times are approximate. All games must be played to completion.
3. Official Match Format
Each match consists of a best-of-3 games series.
Game 1: First to 11 points, win by 2.
Game 2: First to 11 points, win by 2.
Game 3 (if necessary): First to 7 points, win by 2. Rally scoring will be used, meaning a point is awarded after every rally, regardless of which team served.
The first team to win 2 games wins the match.
No third game is required if a team wins the first two games.
No game time limits will be enforced. Games must be completed to determine the winner.
Win-by-Two Rule
If a game reaches a 10–10 tie, play continues until one team leads by 2 points. In Game 3, the same rule applies at 6–6.
4. Official League Point System
Teams earn standings points based on their match results.
Match Result
Winning Team
Losing Team
2–0 victory
4 points
0 points
2–1 victory
3 points
1 point
Forfeit
3 points
0 points
Bonus Point System
A team winning 2–0 receives 3 points for the victory plus 1 bonus point for winning in straight games.
A team winning 2–1 receives 3 points.
A team losing 2–1 receives 1 point for winning a game.
A team losing 2–0 receives 0 points.
This system encourages strong performances while rewarding teams that compete hard enough to force a deciding third game.
5. League Standings & Rankings
League standings will be updated throughout the regular season.
Teams will be ranked using the following criteria, in order:
Total league standings points.
Total matches won.
Head-to-head results.
Game differential (games won minus games lost).
Point differential (total points scored minus total points allowed).
Team captains are responsible for confirming and reporting their match results to league staff.
6. Championship Playoff Bracket
Weeks 1–5 consist of regular-season matches.
Week 6 is championship playoff week.
Teams will be seeded according to their final regular-season rankings.
Playoff matches will follow a bracket published by NXT LVL Sportz before championship week.
The championship match determines the winning team and runner-up in each league division.
Playoff matches will use the same best-of-3 game format unless otherwise announced before the playoffs.
7. Attendance, Substitutes & Forfeits
All players must check in before their first scheduled match.
Teams must be ready to compete when their scheduled court is available.
If a player cannot attend, NXT LVL Sportz must be notified in advance.
Substitute players require approval from league organizers.
Substitutes must meet their division's eligibility requirements.
Permanent partner changes require league approval.
Teams unable to field two eligible players may forfeit their scheduled matches.
Forfeiting teams receive 0 league points. Their opponents receive 4 points.
8. Official Gameplay Rules
All players must follow standard pickleball gameplay rules unless a specific NXT LVL league rule states otherwise.
Serves must travel diagonally into the correct service court.
The serve must clear the non-volley zone.
Both the serve and return must bounce before either team can volley.
Players may not volley while touching the kitchen (non-volley zone), including its boundary lines.
Balls landing on court boundary lines are considered in, except serves landing on the non-volley-zone line, which are faults.
Players must make fair and honest line calls.
Disagreements must be handled respectfully and may be referred to league staff.
9. Championship Awards & Prizes
🏆 CHAMPIONS — 1ST PLACE
The championship team from each division will receive:
Championship Trophy.
Championship Rings.
$150 DICK'S Sporting Goods Gift Card per winning team.
🥈 RUNNERS-UP — 2ND PLACE
The runner-up team from each division will receive:
Championship Medals.
Prizes will be presented following the conclusion of each league's championship.
10. Sportsmanship & Player Conduct
NXT LVL Sportz is committed to creating a welcoming, respectful, and competitive environment.
All participants must:
Respect opponents, teammates, spectators, and facility staff.
Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and fair play.
Respect league officials and organizer decisions.
Avoid abusive language, harassment, aggressive behavior, or unnecessary confrontation.
Follow all facility safety guidelines.
Maintain a positive attitude regardless of match results.
Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in a warning, match forfeiture, suspension, or removal from the league.
Our priority is fair competition, great sportsmanship, and enjoying the game together.
11. Facility Policies
Proper athletic footwear is required.
Players must respect the courts, nets, and facility equipment.
No outside food or drinks are permitted.
Food, beverages, and snacks are available at our concession stand.
All participants must comply with NXT LVL Sportz facility policies.
NXT LVL Sportz reserves the right to make necessary scheduling adjustments and resolve league disputes.
12. Official League Pickleball & Equipment Standards
OFFICIAL LEAGUE BALL — FRANKLIN SOFT SERVE
To maintain fairness, consistency, and an equal playing experience, NXT LVL Sportz will exclusively use Franklin Soft Serve pickleballs during all official league matches.
These pickleballs have been selected for use on our indoor modular sports tile flooring.
All participants will play with the same official league ball.
Official pickleballs will be provided by NXT LVL Sportz.
Personal or alternative pickleballs will not be permitted during league matches.
By participating, players acknowledge and accept the designated league ball.
We understand that players may have different equipment preferences. However, using the same ball ensures a consistent playing experience across every court and match.
At NXT LVL Sportz, our purpose is to bring people together through pickleball, encourage friendly competition, and create an environment where everyone can enjoy the sport.
SAME COURTS. SAME BALL. SAME OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE.
PLAY HARD. PLAY FAIR. HAVE FUN. THAT'S THE NXT LVL WAY!
By registering and participating in the NXT LVL Sportz Pickleball League, players acknowledge and agree to comply with these rules, competition procedures, and facility policies.
