Run a Pickleball Tournament Shirt Design Contest

A tournament shirt design contest turns the apparel program into a 90-day engagement campaign with the player community. Open submissions to anyone registered for the event, let players vote on the finalists, print the winner. The contest builds excitement, gets player buy-in on the design, and produces a tee that the player community actually wants to wear. Below is the full process to run it cleanly.

Why a design contest works

• Players who submit a design are 3x more likely to register their friends for the tournament
• The winning design gets shared organically by the winner across her social channels
• The contest gives the event a story arc beyond the bracket and the awards ceremony
• Player-designed pieces feel less corporate and more community-owned
• Sponsors get an authentic activation that does not feel forced

Standard contest timeline

Days before event	Phase
90 days	Open submissions. Post submission rules and a sample template.
60 days	Close submissions. Tournament committee picks five finalists.
50 days	Open player voting. Each registered player votes once.
40 days	Announce winner. Pay the design fee or prize. Open shop pre-orders.
21 days	Place bulk player tee order based on registration count.
Event day	Winning designer recognized at the opening ceremony.

Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.

Submission rules to post

• File format: vector AI, EPS, or high-res PNG (minimum 3000 pixels wide)
• Color count: full-color allowed (no per-color upcharge with print on demand)
• Aspect ratio: square or 4:3 for back-print, three-inch wide for chest-print
• Required elements: event name, year, paddle or pickleball motif
• Prohibited: licensed pro player logos, copyrighted graphics, brand names not affiliated with the event
• Per-designer limit: three submissions maximum

Winner prize structure

Prize type	What it includes
Cash prize	$100-300 depending on tournament size
Free entry to the tournament	Waived entry fee for the winner
Free apparel package	Tee, hoodie, and hat with the winning design
Designer credit	"Design by [name]" on the inside neck label or back hem
Social media spotlight	Tournament announces the winner on Instagram and the player email list

After the contest

Once the winning design is locked, the contest pivots into the standard event apparel program. The design files upload to the shop, pre-orders open, the bulk order goes in 21 days before the event. The winning designer can also be featured at the opening ceremony with a brief recognition moment.

Some tournaments archive the winning designs year over year and run a "designer alumni" merch line where past winning designs can be reordered as throwback tees. This gives the design contest a multi-year legacy beyond the single event.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if no submissions come in?

Have a backup design ready from the tournament committee. Most contests get 5-20 submissions for a 100-player tournament; smaller tournaments may need to extend the submission window or commission a designer.

Can non-players submit a design?

Yes, most contests allow open submissions but require the winner to be a registered player at the tournament. Family members and sponsors can also submit if event rules allow.

Who owns the winning design after the contest?

Common pattern is the tournament owns the design for tournament-specific use, the designer retains personal portfolio rights. Spell this out in the contest rules upfront.

How are votes collected during the player-voting phase?

Most tournaments use a simple Google Form, an Instagram poll, or a SurveyMonkey link sent to the registered player email list.