FAQ
Registration & Profile FAQs
What do I need in my profile to register for RTA tournaments?
To successfully register for any RTA tournament and to appear correctly in rankings, your player profile must include all of the following:
- Gender
- Date of Birth (DOB)
- Country
- Successful DUPR connection
If any of these fields are missing or incomplete, registration or ranking visibility may be blocked.
Why is the DUPR connection mandatory?
The DUPR connection ensures:
- correct player identification
- fair seeding and draws
- accurate data handling across tournaments and rankings
Without a successful DUPR sync, your registration cannot be finalized.
I played, but I do not appear in the rankings. Why?
Most common reasons:
- missing profile data (Gender, DOB, Country)
- DUPR not connected or connection failed
- profile changes not yet synced
Always double-check your profile before contacting support.
RTA Tournament Entry FAQs
What are the differences between RTA500, RTA1000 and RTA2000 tournaments?
The main differences are:
- Draw size
- Entry regulations (required RTA 52-week points)
- Prize money level
- Live Stream
- Court (dedicated vs. painted lines)
- Strength of field
Higher category = higher entry requirements and more ranking points available.
Is entry guaranteed once I register?
No.
For RTA1000 and RTA2000, entries are accepted based on:
- your RTA 52-week ranking (up until 6 weeks before the tournament)
- after that it’s a first come first serve
- the maximum draw size of the tournament
If the draw is full, lower-ranked players may be placed on a waiting list.
See all details in the latest RTA Competition Regulations.
How do RTA 52-week points work?
- Rankings are calculated on a rolling 52-week basis
- All your results within that period count
- Older results drop out automatically
This keeps the rankings current and performance-based.
Do RTA500 tournaments have entry restrictions?
Generally
- RTA500 tournaments are more open
- Entries are handled on a first-come, first-served basis
- However, the best 8 RTA players of every division (52w ranking) still have advantage and can get it up until 30 days before the tournament.
This ensures professional players to plan their schedule and strategize.
Arlberg Pickleball Championship FAQs
What is the Arlberg Pickleball Championship?
The Arlberg Pickleball Championship is the season-ending highlight of the RTA Pickleball Tour:
- RTA European Finals – an invitation-only Pro event
- Pickleball Clinics
- Amateur Tournament
Whereas the RTA European Finals are the most prestigious pickleball tournament of the European Pickleball year.
Are there Amateur events at the Arlberg Pickleball Championship?
Yes.
The event includes:
- a fun Amateur Team Event
- clinics for all levels
- a full festival-style pickleball week
This makes the Arlberg Pickleball Championship a unique mix of elite performance and community participation.
Can I attend Clinics even if I am not playing the Pro tournament?
Yes.
Clinics are independent of Pro qualification and open to all registered participants based on availability.
Do I need to qualify to play the Pro event in Arlberg?
Yes.
The Pro tournament is invite-only, based on:
- RTA Road-To-Arlberg Rankings in every division
See the APC Competition Regulations for further details.
Amateur Player FAQs
Who can play in Amateur tournaments at RTA events?
Amateur tournaments are open to:
- recreational and competitive non-pro players
- players without Pro qualification
- players who want tournament experience in a structured environment
Exact eligibility may vary by event and division.
Do Amateur players need a complete profile as well?
Yes.
To register smoothly, Amateur players must also have:
- Gender
- Date of Birth
- Country
- DUPR
Are Amateur tournaments ranked?
Amateur events:
- do not count toward RTA Pro rankings
- use DUPR for seeding
- focus on participation, development, and match experience
- may give out a Wild Card for a RTA Pro Level tournament, to the winners of certain divisions
Always check the tournament description.
What formats are used in Amateur tournaments?
Formats can include:
- Singles and Doubles
- Team events
- Round-robin combined with knockout phases or Double-Knockout
The goal is to guarantee multiple matches for every team or player.
What is an Amateur Team Event?
An Amateur Team Event:
- consists of multiple matches per encounter
- combines Singles and Doubles or only Doubles
- emphasizes team spirit and tactics
- is a highlight of events like the Arlberg Pickleball Championship
Can Amateur players receive wild cards?
Yes.
Wild cards may be granted to:
- winners of a division
Applies only in amateur tournaments connected to a Pro Level RTA tournament. See tournament description for details.
Can Amateur players join Clinics during RTA events?
Yes, and it’s highly encouraged.
Clinics are:
- open to Amateur players
- suitable for all levels
- led by RTA pros or certified coaches
They run alongside or pre-tournament and are a perfect way to improve while enjoying the event atmosphere.
Can I play both an Amateur tournament and Clinics at the same event?
Yes.
Many players combine:
- Amateur competition
- Clinics
- watching Pro matches
RTA events are designed as pickleball festivals, not just tournaments.
Is there an Amateur Ranking on the RTA Pickleball Tour?
Yes.
The RTA Pickleball Tour is introducing an overall Amateur Ranking with the following categories:
- Open Age
- 50+
The ranking is designed to:
- reward consistent participation
- create fairer seedings
- give Amateur players long-term goals across the season
Only selected Amateur tournament divisions will count toward the Amateur Ranking.
Details on eligible events, points allocation, and calculation method will be published separately.
Media Pass, Player Content and Company Content at RTA Tournaments
General FAQs
What is a media pass at an RTA tournament?
A media pass is an accreditation granted by RTA for a specific event or, if expressly agreed, for the full tour season. It allows the Accredited Person limited access for the purpose of creating photo, video, and digital content about the event and, where expressly permitted, for the Named Players listed in the agreement.
Does a camera or player assignment automatically grant media access?
No. Media access is only granted through prior approval and official accreditation by RTA.
Why does RTA require media accreditation?
Accreditation ensures that event coverage is organised, professional, and compliant with player rights, sponsor rights, event operations, branding rules, and court access restrictions.
Is accreditation valid for all tournaments?
Not automatically. Accreditation is valid only for the selected tournament or, in the case of a Tour Pass, for the agreed season.
Can RTA deny or revoke a media pass?
Yes. RTA may deny, restrict, or revoke accreditation at any time for operational, safety, or compliance reasons.
Media Access at RTA Tournaments
Do all RTA tournaments use the same media pass system?
No. Media handling currently depends on the tournament category.
At RTA1000 and RTA2000 events, media access is managed directly by RTA and subject to formal accreditation.
At RTA500 events, there is currently no official RTA media pass. Media access and on-site permission are primarily handled by the local organiser or venue.
Does this mean anyone can freely create content at RTA500 events?
No. Even where local organisers manage on-site access, any commercial use, any use of RTA branding, event names, or official titles, and any representation as official RTA media, photographer, or partner remains subject to RTA approval.
Who decides whether a photographer or content creator may attend an RTA500 event?
For RTA500 events, on-site access is generally handled by the local organiser or venue. However, this does not grant any right to commercial use, official RTA representation, or use of RTA branding without RTA approval.
Can a company or sponsor create content at an RTA500 event?
Not automatically. Even if local access is granted by the organiser or venue, any content created for sponsors, brands, or third parties, or any direct commercial use connected to the event or RTA branding, requires prior approval from RTA.
Can someone call themselves official RTA media at an RTA500 event?
No. No person may present themselves as an official RTA photographer, media representative, or partner unless explicitly approved or contracted by RTA.
Can RTA logos, event names, or official titles be used for content from an RTA500 event?
Only with prior approval from RTA.
FAQs for Players
Can players create content at the tournament?
Yes. Players may use content created for their own channels, including collaborative social media posts with their personal sponsors, provided the post clearly tags @rtapickleballtour, the collaboration is initiated and published by the player, and the content is not delivered directly by the Accredited Person to any sponsor or third party.
Can players do collab posts with their sponsors?
Yes. Player sponsor collaborations are allowed if the content is used on the player’s own channels and @rtapickleballtour is clearly tagged.
Can a player’s sponsor receive tournament content directly from the Accredited Person?
No. The Accredited Person may not deliver, license, or provide content directly to any sponsor or other third party unless RTA has given prior written approval.
Can players arrange player-specific photos, highlights, or portrait sessions?
Only if this is covered by the accreditation and only for the Named Players listed in the agreement. Player-specific highlights, portraits, and similar individual content may not be created for players in general.
Can players bring their own photographer or content creator?
Only if that person has been approved by RTA and accredited. Even then, player-specific content may only be created for the Named Players listed in the agreement.
Can players or their photographers step onto the courts?
No. The Accredited Person may not step onto any playing court or field of play. Court access is reserved exclusively for the official RTA photographer and any person expressly authorised in writing by RTA.
FAQs for Companies, Sponsors and Brands
Can companies, sponsors or brands send photographers or creators to an RTA event?
Only through persons who have been approved and accredited by RTA. Accreditation does not create unrestricted commercial rights.
Can companies create branded content at an RTA tournament?
Only with prior written approval from RTA. Any content created for sponsors, brands, or third parties, or delivered to them directly, is considered commercial use and requires prior written approval.
Can a sponsor use tournament content for its own marketing?
Not without prior written approval from RTA. Commercial use is not covered by standard accreditation.
Can companies use the RTA logo, tournament name, or official titles in their content?
Only with prior approval from RTA.
Does accreditation make a company or creator an official RTA partner?
No. The Accredited Person may not present themselves as an official RTA photographer or partner unless explicitly contracted.
FAQs for Accredited Media
What is an Accredited Person allowed to do?
The Accredited Person may create general event coverage, including photo, video, reels, and stories about the event atmosphere, matches, and overall tournament. They may also conduct winner interviews in front of the media wall, subject to staff instructions, scheduling, and operational restrictions.
Can the Accredited Person create player photos or videos?
Yes, for their own reports, recaps, or editorial use, provided such content is not offered or delivered as a general player service.
Can the Accredited Person create player highlights or portrait sessions?
Only for the Named Players listed in the agreement. Player-specific highlights, portraits, and similar content may not be created for players in general.
Can the Accredited Person create reels, stories, and behind-the-scenes impressions?
Yes. General event reels, stories, and non-commercial behind-the-scenes impressions on the Accredited Person’s own channels are permitted, provided they do not misrepresent any relationship with RTA.
Can the Accredited Person step onto the court?
No. Court access is not permitted unless expressly authorised in writing by RTA.
Can the Accredited Person create content for a player’s sponsor or another company?
No. The Accredited Person may not create content on behalf of, or for direct use by, a player’s sponsor or any third party without prior written approval from RTA.
FAQs on Branding, Social Media and Rights
Is tagging RTA required?
Tagging or mentioning RTA, the event, or @rtapickleballtour is required for player sponsor collaborations and permitted in general, provided it does not imply an official partnership, sponsorship, or endorsement unless explicitly approved in writing.
Does tagging RTA mean the content is officially endorsed?
No. Tagging does not imply official partnership, sponsorship, or endorsement by RTA unless explicitly approved in writing.
Does the agreement give unrestricted commercial rights to the content?
No. The agreement regulates accreditation, access, and permitted use. Any commercial use, including direct delivery to sponsors, brands, or third parties, requires prior written approval from RTA.
Can RTA request content to be removed?
Yes. RTA may request removal of content that violates the agreement, damages the reputation of RTA, players, officials, or partners, or misrepresents the event or competition.
What happens if the rules are violated?
RTA may immediately revoke accreditation, request removal of content, exclude the Accredited Person from future events, and impose a contractual penalty of up to EUR 2,000 per violation. Additional damages may also be claimed if applicable.
