April 8-12, 2026
COUNTDOWN:
Days
Hours
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April 8-12, 2026
COUNTDOWN:
Grab your partner and join Pickle & Taps and The Azalea Festival for the “Dink if you Dare” Azalea Festival Pickleball Tournament.
Join us October 18 for the very first Azalea Festival Pickleball Tournament: a mixed doubles showdown with a spooky twist! Whether you’re here for the competition, the costumes, or just the thrill of the dink, this is one tournament you won’t want to miss. Rally with friends, show off your best pickleball skills, and get into the spirit of the season with our free “Courtside Costume” Contest (no registration required) featuring cash prizes (because pickleball is even more fun in disguise). There will be an individual costume winner and a couple’s costume winner!
Pickleball winners in each division will also score free tickets to the 2026 Azalea Festival events, making victory even sweeter.
This is a non-DUPR event, perfect for players of all levels to get in on the action. Come play, laugh, and “dink if you dare!”
When: Saturday October 18th, 2025 9am to 6pm Registration Ends: 10/15/2025
Entry Fee – $75 per person. (Sign up individually and indicate your partner’s name). Fee includes tournament medals and Festival event tickets for winners.
Refunds: Cancellations 72 hours or more before the event
Divisions – Advanced 4.0+, Advanced Intermediate 3.5 to 3.99, Early Intermediate 3.0 to 3.49, and Beginner <3.0. We encourage teams to sign up at the level of their highest player.
Tournament Structure -Doubles Format: Round-Robin Brackets with Single Elimination Playoff. This is a non-DUPR event. Players may sign up as individuals and when entering your partner’s name just type in “need a partner.”
We cannot guarantee we will find you a partner, but we will do our best.
Tournament Director has full discretion in regard to the tournament format at ALL times.
**Start times for each division and other tournament details will be announced closer to the day of the event.
The number of teams per division will determine check-in times.
Dink If You Dare Pickleball Tournament
Pickle & Taps – Mixed Doubles Format
Round-Robin Brackets with Single Elimination Playoff.
1207 S 13th Street, Wilmington, North Carolina 28401
Schedule
Registration/Practice Time: 9:00am.
The number of teams per division will determine check-in times.
Courtside Costume Contest Entry Begins: 9:00am.
Courtside Costume Contest Entry Ends: TBD.
Courtside Costume Contest Winners Announced: TBD.
Anticipated Event End: 6:00pm.
Parking
Event parking will be available at Pickle & Taps at no charge.
Any rideshare transportation may drop off guests and participants at the front of the venue.
What To Bring
For this event, please bring all items required for tournament play. We also encourage all attendees to participate in the Courtside Costume Contest and wear your best costume! There will be a solo winner and a duo winner. We ask that you bring a positive attitude, a smile, and good spirits to all of our events.
Accessibility
Pickle & Taps offers ADA friendly entry into the venue. Guests who require ADA accommodations should contact the venue.
Food & Drink
There will be a food truck on-site for purchase. Pickle & Taps has a bar inside the venue with beer, seltzers, and snacks for purchase. Guests and participants are allowed to bring water bottles to stay hydrated throughout the tournament.
Entertainment & Activities
Along with tournament play, we will have a Courtside Costume Contest! Attendees are encouraged to wear their best costumes and vote for their favorites during the tournament. We will award a solo & duo winner.
Amenities & Services
Pickle & Taps has restroom facilities available on-site inside the venue. Any items that are left on-site by guests will be returned to the Pickle & Taps lost & found.
Weather Contingencies
This is an indoor event. In the case of severe inclement weather, the Festival will announce any and all event changes on social media.
Ticket Information
Individual registrations will be completed through the CourtReserve app, managed by Pickle & Taps. Any questions regarding your registration should be directed to Pickle & Taps. Registrants will register individually and must claim each other as partners within the registration process. For those needing a partner, please state that in the registration process, and Pickle & Taps will do their best to find a partner for you.
Registration will close Wednesday, October 15th. To be issued a refund, you must reach out to Pickle & Taps at least 72 hours prior to the event.