Bear Grips Pro ShopsRun a Pickleball Tournament Shirt Design Contest
- A design contest engages players in the 90 days before the tournament.
- Submissions, voting, winner-print all run through the same event shop.
- Standard timeline: 30 days open, 14 days voting, 21 days print and ship.
- No minimum print order means even a 32-player tournament can run the 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. |
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.
Open the Design Contest Shop
Set up the event shop, run the 90-day contest, print the winning design with player credit. Same per-piece price for any design.
Start FreeFrequently 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.
