FAQs
Got questions? We're serving up answers.
Registration
How do I sign up?
Sign up here. You can register by creating a team, joining a team, or signing up as a free agent, where you will be paired with a team.
When is the deadline to register?
Is there an entry fee?
The registration fee is $100 per person and includes food, beverage, tournament operations, and access to all on-site activations.
Is there a fundraising minimum?
This is a four-person team tournament with a mandatory minimum fundraising goal of $2,000 per team (or $500 per player). If your team hasn't reached the $2,000 team goal by the tournament date, you can still play, but all players must sign a delayed self-pledge form. This pledge ensures that the team will raise the remaining balance to meet the $2,000 minimum within 30 days following the tournament.
The remainder of the fundraising goal will primarily be divided among players who have not yet reached their individual $500 minimum, 30 days after the tournament.
This does not apply to free agents. All free agents must raise the $500 fundraising minimum regardless of their assigned team's fundraising amount.
Example: Your team has raised a total of $1,600 by game day, leaving a remaining balance of $400. If one player has raised $500, they have met their individual commitment. The remaining $400 shortfall would then be split among the three players who have not met their individual $500 goal.
We’re not just playing for fun — we’re playing for something bigger: better patient care, better research, and better health outcomes for real people in our community.
We're here to help! Check out our fundraising toolkit.
Can I refund my registration?
When is the deadline to withdraw my registration?
Please reach out to paddleroyale@smh.ca should you wish to withdraw.
Can guests attend?
Yes, event tickets can be purchased for $55. Tickets will be available for purchase soon.
What divisions are available?
There are our three divisions:
- Big Dills (Beginners)
- Pickle Pros (Intermediates)
- Court Crushers (Advanced) - New this year
How do I choose my division?
Whether you’re a newbie or a knockout, we welcome a range of skillsets.
Paddle Royale is using DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), a global system that ensures fair play across divisions. Register at your skill level—you can switch divisions until the first week of March. Team captains select the division for their team.
Here are our three divisions:
Big Dills (Beginners)- DUPR 12: The team’s aggregate DUPR must not exceed 12.30
- The maximum individual player DUPR cannot exceed 3.60 to play in DUPR 12
- DUPR 14: The team’s aggregate DUPR must not exceed 14.30
- The maximum individual player DUPR cannot exceed 4.10 to play in DUPR 14
- DUPR 16: The team’s aggregate DUPR must not exceed 16.30
- The maximum individual player DUPR cannot exceed 4.60 to play in DUPR 16
Need help figuring out your team’s DUPR rating? Click here to learn more
When is the last date to change my division?
How do you keep information (like my credit card) safe?
We make every effort to protect your personal information. Our website utilizes Stripe to secure credit cards through end-to-end encryption of sensitive data to ensure your information, password and personal details travel safely and securely over the internet. Credit card information is never stored.
Fundraising
What is a team fundraising page?
When you start a team fundraiser, you become a Team Captain and can invite your pickleball teammates to join in the fun! Once you complete your registration, you can share the team fundraising page with your members, allowing them to create their own personal fundraising pages under your team’s umbrella. They’ll also have access to sample emails and fundraising ideas in the Participant Centre to help kickstart their efforts toward reaching your team goal!
What if I or my team does not reach the fundraising minimum?
This is a four-person team tournament with a mandatory minimum fundraising goal of $2,000 per team (or $500 per player). If your team hasn't reached the $2,000 team goal by the tournament date, you can still play, but all players must sign a delayed self-pledge form. This pledge ensures that the team will raise the remaining balance to meet the $2,000 minimum within 30 days following the tournament.
The remainder of the fundraising goal will primarily be divided among players who have not yet reached their individual $500 minimum, 30 days after the tournament.
This does not apply to free agents. All free agents must raise the $500 fundraising minimum regardless of their assigned team's fundraising amount.
Example: Your team has raised a total of $1,600 by game day, leaving a remaining balance of $400. If one player has raised $500, they have met their individual commitment. The remaining $400 shortfall would then be split among the three players who have not met their individual $500 goal.
What do I do with cash and cheque donations?
If you receive a donation by cash or cheque, you can count these ‘offline’ donations towards your fundraising goal! You will also need to fill out the Offline Donation Form and mail it to St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation (30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1W8, Canada).
Please include donation cheques, but if you receive cash donations, we request that you deposit the money and either make out a cheque or send a money order for that same amount to St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation. Once we receive all the necessary information, a tax receipt can be issued to the donor(s). Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $20 and above and in accordance with CRA guidelines
Please allow 2-3 weeks from receipt of the Offline Donation Form for processing. If you have questions: email PaddleRoyale@smh.ca or call 416 864 5000.
St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation 30 Bond Street Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1W8 Canada
Why is there a fundraising minimum requirement?
Thanks to champions like you, our hospital is changing the game—pushing boundaries in critical care, trauma, and beyond. Whether it’s battling brain, heart, or eye diseases or driving breakthroughs in multiple sclerosis and critical care, our teams are saving and changing lives every day.
You can see the direct impact of your fundraising dollars in our 2024 Impact Report.
Do I need to customize my fundraising page?
Your fundraising page has been pre-loaded with a default image and text. Customized pages always have a greater impact. Make your page extra special by uploading a photo and writing a personal message about your connection to St. Michael’s and why you’re inspired to support the cause.
How do my fundraising efforts help St. Michael's Hospital?
St. Michael’s Hospital depends on donor dollars to take on some of the world’s toughest health challenges. By signing up for Paddle Royale, you’re signing up to support world-class research and care that can save and change lives. Thank you.
How can I support if I can't attend?
You can donate to a specific team/player or to the event in general here. If you’d like to provide an in-kind donation for our silent auction, please email us at PaddleRoyale@smh.ca.
Event Details
Where’s the event?
Rally at Sherwood Village: 2225 Erin Mills Parkway, Mississauga, Ontario L5K 2S9. Get directions.
What time is the event?
Your game time will be dependent on your division.
How do I sign up?
Sign up here. You can register by creating a team, joining a team, or signing up as a free agent, where you will be paired with a team.
Do I need a team of 4 to participate?
A team of 4 is preferred, however you can also register as a free agent here and we'll introduce you to a team.
Can I register as a single player?
Yes! Select "Free Agent" on the sign up page and we will pair you up with a team.
What is a free agent?
A free agent is a participant who is not currently registered with a team but would still like to play. By signing up as a free agent, we will add you to a team so you can smash, dink, and rally! The mandatory fundraising minimum for free agents is $500.
How can I support a team or participant?
To make a donation, please follow these steps:
- In the navigation bar, select "Teams"
- Use the search function to find a specific team or individual participant.
- Once you locate them, click on their participant page.
- Select the donate button on the participant’s page.
- Follow the prompts to complete your donation.
Questions or concerns? Please email PaddleRoyale@smh.ca
Is this event age-restricted?
The recommended age is 16+.
Can teams consist of players of different genders?
Teams can be made up of any four players, regardless of gender, ensuring an inclusive and welcoming tournament for all participants.
Will there be food?
Food and beverages will be available to fuel players and event attendees throughout the day!
When will I receive my fundraising reward/prize?
All fundraising rewards earned will be available to collect on-site at registration.
Are there lockers or changerooms?
Lockers are available for free on site – first come, first serve – and changing spaces are available.
How do I enter the costume contest?
Dress up on game day and enter your team into the competition at registration. Winners will be announced after the championship game for each division!
More questions?
Email: PaddleRoyale@smh.ca
How can I volunteer?
Love this question! Please reach out to PaddleRoyale@smh.ca to express your interest. All inquiries must be received by Feb 17, 2026.
Do I need to bring my own equipment?
Participants are encouraged to bring their own paddles and indoor shoes for play. For those who do not have their own paddle, kindly email us at paddleroyale@smh.ca to reserve yours for game day.
Indoor shoes are required to play on the court.
Is there on-site parking?
Yes, there is onsite parking provided free of charge.
