Welcome to the Ulster Pickleball Open 2025

Important Info & Updates

The Ulster Open schedule is now live on the Raqt app! 🗓️
Players can check match times and courts by logging into the app and selecting the tournament.

Registration will be based inside the main hall and is open from the following times:

  • Saturday: 7.50am – 9.30am | 12pm – 1pm
  • Sunday: 7.50am-11am | 1pm – 2pm

🚗 Parking Update – Saturday Reminder

Please be aware that a Parkrun takes place on Saturday morning, 9am at Craigavon Lakes.
We strongly encourage early arrival to secure convenient parking. Don’t worry if the car park is full as  additional overflow parking is available at:

  • Craigavon Civic Centre – 2-minute walk

  • Craigavon Shopping Centre – 10-minute walk

🎗️ Playing for a Good Cause

This year, Pickleball Ireland is donating a percentage of all registration fees to the Craigavon Lord Mayor’s Charity – thank you for being part of something meaningful! The charity is the Lord Mayors nominated charity – the Southern Area Hospice Service.

Tournament Info

✅ Tournament Reminders

  1. Winning team must report the result to the control table.

  2. Scorecard must include:

    • Category, court number

    • FULL NAMES (in capital letters)

    • Clearly highlight the winners

  3. Players are responsible for staying alert and ready for their next match.

  4. Warm-up time is limited to 2 minutes.

  5. Match schedules will be displayed on screens near the control table or ask a volunteer for help.

  6. Check match details here:
    👉 https://new.raqt.com/tournament/408/matches

  7. 📣 REMINDER – In all categories, the top 2 players/teams from each group advance to the elimination stage. The only exception to this is the 18+ Ladies Doubles Combined (3.5&4.0). The 1st place team goes into the 4.0 semi-final and the 2nd & 3rd teams go into the 3.5 quarter-finals.

🤝 Respect & Conduct

  • Please follow official pickleball rules at all times.

  • Show respect to opponents, referees, and volunteers.

  • Zero tolerance for abuse, aggression, or unsportsmanlike conduct.
    🚫 Offenders will be immediately removed from the tournament.

Top Prizes to be won

ULSTER OPEN RAFFLE

Every registered player will be automatically entered into our Ulster Open Raffle.
We’ve been generously gifted four fantastic prizes from our vendors exhibiting at the tournament.

🕛 The raffle will be drawn at 12 noon on Saturday, and winners can collect their prizes during the weekend.

Engage Pursuit Pro1

Prism Pickleball is very kindly giving away our top prize of the raffle - The Engage Pursuit Pro1! This is a paddle built for power and performance. Built in the USA and constructed with Japanese Toray T700 carbon fiber, it delivers explosive energy. This is the choice of champions: Jessie Irvine, Alix Truong, Eric Oncins, Richard Livornese, Jaime Oncins, and more are already winning with the Pro1.
If you’re looking to add serious pop and power to your game—this is the paddle.

Diadem Tour V3

The Racquet Here have kindly donated the Diadem Tour V3 Paddle Bag as one of our prizes. This is an ideal bag for the serious Pickleball player. With the ability to fit 10 paddles and your change of clothes, nothing needs to be left behind. The main compartment has a U-shaped zipper for easy access to all of your gear and a separate shoe compartment on the side. It also features several side compartments with neoprene to keep your items separated and protected.

€25 Gift Vouchers x 4

Celtic Pickleball have kindly gifted us four (4!) €25 gift vouchers to use on their online store or at their stall in the Vendors lounge at the Ulster Pickleball Open. Celtic Pickleball have a huge range of paddles, balls, nets and accessories.

JOOLA Vision II Backpack (Blue)

DinkingHub have kindly donated the JOOLA VISION Backpack. This is a great blend of utility and style! The main compartment features a padded laptop sleeve that can be secured with a hook-and-loop fastener, a large interior zip pocket, and 2 smaller pockets.There are 3 compartments in the front, 2 of which zip close with custom-molded SBS zippers. A sewn-in hood with buckle strap keeps your items secure and dry.

Pickleball Ireland are thrilled to welcome you to the South Lakes Leisure Centre in Craigavon for this exciting weekend of competitive pickleball. Whether you’re a seasoned player or competing in your first open tournament, we hope you enjoy the experience, the community, and the craic.

  • 📍 Location: South Lakes Leisure Centre, Craigavon, Northern Ireland

  • 📅 Dates: Saturday 28th – Sunday 29th June 2025

  • 🕗 Daily Schedule: Matches start at 8,30am sharp – registration opens 7.50am

  • 🛠️ Court Surface: Indoor wooden floors – ideal for competitive play

  • 🎾 Ball: Gamma Photon (Red)

  • 🚗 Parking: On-site + overflow at Craigavon Civic Centre & Rushmere Shopping Centre

  • 🏨 Hotels:

    • Ashburn Hotel – 3 star hotel only 5 mins from the centre. 13 room + 2 apartments (call to book, rooms have been set aside)

    • Edenmore House

    • Seagoe Hotel – discounted rate (limited Sat. availability)

  • ☕ On-site Amenities: Café, showers, changing rooms, spectator seating

  • 🎾 Match Rules:

    • Be at Court 1 seating area 10 mins before match time

    • 10+ mins late = automatic forfeit

    • Zero tolerance for abusive behaviour

  • 🌳 Nearby Attractions:

    • Rushmere Shopping Centre

    • Lurgan Park (2nd largest townland park in Ireland)

    • Oxford Island & Tannaghmore Gardens

  • ☎️ Contact: Simon O’Neill – simon@sonshine.media | +447775910935

























POPULAR QUESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • +447775910935

Q: Where is the tournament taking place?A: The Ulster Open is being held at South Lakes Leisure Centre, Craigavon, Northern Ireland. It is a state of the art leisure facility. There is swimming, health suite, gym and water sports all on site and bookable with the centre itself.

Q: What dates and times should I be there?A: The tournament runs Saturday 28th – Sunday 29th June 2025. Matches start at 9:00am each day, and players must be seated at Court 1 (inside the main hall) at least 20 minutes before their scheduled match. Please check the RAQT app for the your sections start times. Registration opens at 8.30am and closes at 1pm each day.

Q: What if I’m late for my match?A: If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, you will forfeit your match—no exceptions.

Q: Do I need to check in when I arrive?A: Yes! We will have the registration desk just inside the barrier system (ask at reception to get through). Any issues, ask one of our volunteers (Green Pickleball Ireland vests).

Q: What amenities are available at the venue?A: There’s a café, changing rooms, showers, and ample seating for players and spectators. Courts have high-quality wooden flooring ideal for competitive play.

Q: Where can I park?

A: Free parking is available on-site. If it’s full, there’s overflow parking at Craigavon Civic Centre and Rushmere Shopping Centre, both just a few minutes’ walk away. There is a colour run on in the park on Sunday, so please don’t worry if the main car park is full, the two overflow car parks are very close by.

Q: Can I bring guests or family?

A: Yes! Spectators are very welcome. Seating is available on Court 1 to view the Championship Court and there will be a Players’ Area with vendors and seating.

Q: What is the format of play?

A: Matches include a round-robin phase followed by knockout rounds. Scoring formats vary depending on the round and will be communicated closer to the event.

Q: Who do I contact if I have a question?A: Get in touch with Simon O’Neill at info@leaguepickleball.co.uk or call +447775910935.