Bear Grips Pro ShopsPickleball Tournament Apparel: The Full Event Program
- Tournament apparel runs as a coordinated program across players, staff, volunteers, and merch table.
- Order three to four weeks before the event to allow size confirmation and late additions.
- Performance fabric for summer outdoor events, cotton for spring and fall.
- Pre-orders open through the event shop, walk-up sales at the merch table.
The pickleball tournament apparel program goes beyond the player tee. The full program covers what every person at the event wears, from the open-bracket player on court 12 to the registration-table volunteer to the spectator who drove three hours to watch her daughter play. Below is the full lineup, broken down by audience, with the timeline that gets the apparel to the event on time.
The four audiences at every tournament
- Players: receive a tee at registration. Often a color-coded version by division.
- Tournament staff and referees: distinct polo so players can spot a ref across the court complex.
- Volunteers: bright tee so spectators know who to ask for help.
- Spectators and players families: walk-up merch table for hoodies, hats, and second-tee purchases.
Pre-event timeline
| Days before event | Action |
|---|---|
| 45 days | Lock event logo and design files. Open the event shop. |
| 30 days | Open player pre-order and ref polo pre-order through the shop. |
| 21 days | Place bulk order for player tees based on registered player count. |
| 14 days | Place merch table inventory order (hoodies, hats, second tees). |
| 10 days | Place volunteer tee order (final volunteer count locked). |
| 3 days | Place last-minute order for late registrations and size swaps. |
Fabric pick by season
| Season | Player tee pick | Spectator merch pick |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (March-May) | Cotton crew or performance | Cotton tee + light hoodie |
| Summer (June-August) | Performance wicking | Cotton tee + cap |
| Fall (September-November) | Cotton crew + long sleeve option | Hoodie + crewneck |
| Winter (December-February, indoor) | Cotton crew | Hoodie + crewneck |
Sizing the order against registration
Most tournaments require players to confirm their shirt size at registration. The shop pre-order ties to registration so each player picks her size when she pays the entry fee. This eliminates the guesswork of buying 100 mediums and finding out half the players wanted larges.
- Default size split for adult tournaments: 15% S, 30% M, 30% L, 18% XL, 5% 2XL, 2% 3XL
- Senior tournaments shift larger: 5% S, 20% M, 30% L, 25% XL, 15% 2XL, 5% 3XL
- Youth tournaments separate: YXS, YS, YM, YL based on age divisions
- Mixed-doubles events often have separate mens and womens cut tees rather than one unisex tee
Pre-order shop versus bulk order
Two ways to run apparel for a tournament. The pre-order shop ships each tee to the player home address ahead of the event, the player arrives wearing the tee. Lower tournament-day logistics, no day-of distribution table. The bulk order ships to the tournament director, gets distributed at the registration table on event morning. More day-of work, but ensures every player has the tee at the event.
Most tournaments combine both. Pre-order opens 30 days out for players who want to receive the tee at home. Bulk order goes in 21 days out for the day-of distribution stack. Both reach the same shop, both get tracked together.
Run the Full Tournament Apparel Program
Players, refs, volunteers, spectators all in one event shop. Pre-orders open 30 days out, walk-up table on event day.
Start FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Can the tournament accept apparel orders after the registration deadline?
Yes. The shop stays open through the event. Late registrations can pre-order with about a week of ship time, or pick up at the merch table on event day if the tournament stocks walk-up inventory.
Do players have to wear the tournament tee while playing?
Most tournaments do not require the tee on court. Players wear their own performance gear during matches and the event tee around the venue.
How is the merch table inventory paid for?
The tournament organizer buys at the VIP base price and sells at retail at the merch table. Profit per piece is the difference, typically $10-15.
What if a player loses or damages her tee during the event?
Walk-up replacement at the merch table or order through the shop with about a week of ship time.
