Location and Schedule
The Florida Sunshine State Games have been postponed until the summer of 2026.
The Florida Sports Foundation looks forward to bringing the Sunshine State Games back in 2026 as an Olympic-Style Sports Festival for amateur athletes of all ages.
Athletes wishing to participate in a summer of 2025 competition, please check out the Ultimate Pickleball Weekend, June 21-22, at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, in Wesley Chapel, Florida.
Details for The Ultimate Pickleball Weekend will be different. Please visit www.americanpickleballtour.com for more information.
BELOW DETAILS APPLY TO SUNSHINE GAMES ONLY
Sunshine State Games Information
Entrant Divisions
Singles
Men’s and Women’s Doubles
Mixed Doubles
Florida Senior Games Qualifying Rules
This event is a qualifier for the Florida Senior Games. Please visit FloridaSeniorGames.com for more information. The top five finishers in each age group qualify for the 2024 Florida Senior Games, in December, in Florida’s Sports Coast/Pasco County. Athletes who qualify in one event can compete in all three Florida Senior Games events.
Entry Requirements and Fees
1. Pickleball entry fee is $25 and $5 for each additional event.
2. Late entries may be accepted at the discretion of the Event Director. Athletes registering after the registration deadline may be subject to a $15 late fee. NO REFUNDS
3. The age division of competition for doubles and mixed doubles will be determined by the younger age of the two partners as of December 31 of the competition year.
4. Competitors must bring their own paddles. Pickleballs will be provided.
5. Franklin X balls will be used during competition.
6. The format is 2/3 sets for all matches in winners bracket and games to 15 for consolation bracket.
7. If your group is playing a Round Robin, all games will be 2/3 sets with the Top 3 receiving medals.
Partner Finder
While the Sunshine State Games offers a “Partner Finder,” service for those in need of a doubles or team partner, It is the responsibility of the athlete to make contact with other athletes.
The Sunshine State Games Staff will not put together teams or form partnerships. Sunshine State Games staff and sport directors will not assign partners at the Games. Athletes registered without a partner by registration deadline will be removed without a refund
CLICK HERE to post your entry. By posting the entry, you are agreeing that your information will be shared with other athletes, captains, and/or coaches.
Once registration is open, a link will be posted to see a listing of potential partners and teams. Once you have found a team/partner, please email games@playinflorida.com to remove your name from the list.
Sport Rules
1. All matches will be conducted in accordance with USA Pickleball Association (USAPA)/International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) rules found online at www.usapa.org, except as modified.
2. A coin flip will determine first choice of service or side. If the winner chooses to serve or receive, the loser picks starting side. If the winner chooses starting side, the loser chooses to serve or receive. Sides and initial service will be switched upon completion of each game. Sides will be switched in a third game (if the match is 2 out of 3 games) after the first team reaches a score of 6 points. Serve remains with the player holding serve.
3. All questionable calls must be resolved in favor of the opponent.
4. Served balls clearing the non-volley zone and landing on any service court line except the non-volley zone line are good.
5. Balls in play landing on any side or back court line are good.
6. All serves must be made underhand at or below the servers waist (i.e. contact with the ball must be made at or below the server’s waist). Underhand is defined as the paddle head shall be below the hand when striking the ball.
7. Players will be responsible for calling their own lines up until at least the final match in each age class. Line officials may be provided for the final match in each age class at the discretion of the Event Director.
8. When net systems have a horizontal bar that may include a center base: If the ball hits the horizontal bar or the center base before going over the net, it is a fault. If the ball goes over the net and then hits the horizontal bar, IT IS A LET AND MUST BE REPLAYED. If the ball goes over the net and then hits center base or the ball gets caught between the net and the horizontal bar before touching the court, it is a let and must be replayed.
9. All matches will be played outdoors.
10. Format changes are at the discretion of the Event Director.
Hotel Information
Hotel information is forthcoming.
Registration
Registration information is forthcoming.
FSF Staff Contact
To contact the FSF staff please send an email to games@playinflorida.com.
State Director
Andy Rubenstein
(954) 439-2900 or andyacr@aol.com