Wānaka
Pickleball
League
Join the fastest-growing sport in the Southern Lakes - ten weeks of competitive pickleball for our local community.
About the league
More than a game. A community on the move.
The Wānaka Pickleball League brings players together for a competitive, social season played on our local courts.
For Season 1, play is open to players rated 3.0+ DUPR. This format is just the starting point — as the league grows we plan to add more divisions and levels, so the structure may change in future seasons.
Grab a paddle, find your level, and become part of the energy — season after season.
How it works
A full season, end to end
Simple to join, easy to follow, and competitive from week one. Here's how a season of Wānaka pickleball plays out.
Read the full Season 1 rulesTen-week season
Ten sessions from 2 August to 9 October 2026 at Wānaka REC Centre, with every game recorded in DUPR.
Timed ladder games
Each session runs rounds of short timed games (13 minutes or first to 11), rotating partners and opponents throughout.
Move up or down
Courts are seeded by rating, then a ladder algorithm shifts players up or down each round based on their points differential.
Season prizes
Awards for the top-ranked player, most wins, most improved, and a fair-play prize for great sportsmanship.
The social side
Where the game ends, the good times begin
Pickleball is famously social, and our league leans right into it. Players stick around after matches to share a drink, swap stories and celebrate the night's results. It is friendly, inclusive and genuinely fun.
Whether you come to compete or just to meet people, you'll leave with new mates and a standing invitation back to the court.
Prizes & finals
Everyone's playing for something
Champion title
Season finals crown the league champions, with bragging rights that last all year.
Podium spots
Runners-up and standout players are recognised at the end-of-season showdown.
Prizes on the line
Sponsor-backed prizes reward the players and keep every round competitive.
Our partners
Proudly backed by local business
A growing line-up of Wānaka businesses already stand behind the league. Join them and put your name on the court.