U.S. Open Pickleball shifts to player lottery for Jan 14-20 draws

The U.S. Open Pickleball Championships in Naples is using a player lottery to fill the draw for the tournament running Jan 14-20. The lottery applies to every division—professional and amateur players across junior, senior and wheelchair fields must secure their spot through the same selection process rather than relying on traditional entry or seeding procedures.

This change affects how players plan the start of the season. With the lottery replacing open entry, amateurs who want to compete must enter the draw when the tournament posts the entry link. The U.S. Open Pickleball website scheduled the lottery link to go live today, so act quickly to register and confirm category eligibility. Exact entry windows and category rules vary by division; check the site for those specifics before you submit.

For community players, the most immediate impact is logistical. Draws are finalized close to the event start, which means travel, lodging and partner coordination may need to be flexible. If you plan to chase points or test your game on the big Naples stage, don’t book nonrefundable flights or make irreversible plans until you have a confirmed draw position. If you’re entering doubles or mixed, coordinate with your partner about backup plans if one or both of you miss the lottery.

Competition dynamics shift, too. With professionals and amateurs entering the same lottery system, expect a more mixed draw across rounds and possibly more last-minute alternates. Tournament staff will use lottery results to populate the field, so staying on top of post-lottery alternates and waitlist procedures can turn a near miss into a late call-up.

Practical steps to take right now: enter the lottery as soon as the link appears, verify the division rules that apply to your age or classification, and plan travel with flexibility in case you’re added after the initial draw. If you don’t make the field, scout local or regional events that week to keep competitive rhythm.

The takeaway? Don’t get caught in the kitchen—enter early, keep your schedule flexible, and be ready for late notice. Our two cents? Treat the lottery like a real match: prepare as if you’re in, keep backup plans ready, and use the downtime to fine-tune serves and dinks so you’re tournament-ready whether you get the call or not.