League

Sectional Tournament Rules

The PCL Asia Sectionals are where every club's journey begins. This is more than just competition, it's about pride, legacy, and the chance to represent your community on the biggest pickleball stage in Asia.

Only Sectional Champions will advance to the PCL Asia Finals in China — a five-day international showcase where the best clubs in Asia will battle for the title of PCL Asia Champion.

Tournament Structure

Clubs per Sectional Finals:

8

Prize Pool:

Winner-Takes-All $5,000 per Sectional

Clubs per Sectional Finals:

Sectional Champion advances to PCL Asia Finals
Every match in the Sectionals matters — it's not just about winning games, but about carrying your club's name, your city, and your country forward.

Fair Play Rules

The No Super Club Rule

The Pickleball Champions league Asia is about competition and balance, not “stacked” teams. To make sure every club has a fair shot.

Roster Limits

  • A club may include only one Top 8 Male and only one Top 8 Female players in the Philippines.
  • A club cannot field two Top 8 Men or two Top 8 Women.
  • A club must follow the Rule of 9.

The Rule of 9:

If a club includes one Top 8 Male and one Top 8 Female, their combined rankings must equal 9 or higher.

#1 Male + #8 Female (1+8=9)
#3 Male + #6 Female (3+6=9)
#1 Male + #2 Female (1+2=3)

This ensures the strongest players are spread across clubs, giving all teams hope, opportunity, and the chance to rise.

Residency Requirements

Clubs must truly represent their communities. Players must be:

  • Citizens, or
  • Permanent residents, or
  • Residents for at least 1 continuous year in the country they represent.
This rule guarantees that clubs carry the pride of their city and country, not just collections of top players from anywhere.

Team Competition

Roster Size:

Each club fields 4-6 players (men & women combined).

Lineup Submission:

Full rosters must be submitted before the Sectional begins.

Substitutions:

Allowed only in cases of injury or emergency with prior approval.

Balance Requirement:

Rosters must comply with the No Super Clubs Rule and Residency Requirement.

Match Format

Official PCL Asia Team Format

Matches will follow the official PCL Asia Team Format, standardized across all sections.

Roster Limits:

Games will be played under international pickleball standards with slight PCL adjustments for team play

Official Referees:

Referees are assigned to every match, and their decisions are final on-court.

Tournament Format:

Sectionals may use round-robin pools leading into semifinals/finals or direct single-elimination, depending on the number of clubs.

Standardized Rules:

All sectionals follow the same competitive format to ensure fairness across regions.

Conduct & Sportsmanship

Expected Behavior
  • All players must compete with respect, fairness, and integrity.
  • Show respect for opponents, teammates, officials, and spectators.
  • Celebrate victories graciously and accept defeats with dignity.
Prohibited Conduct
  • Verbal abuse or harassment of any participant.
  • Intentional delays or disruption of play.
  • Any form of misconduct that goes against the spirit of fair play.

Consequences

Unsportsmanlike behavior — including verbal abuse, intentional delays, or misconduct — may result in penalties or disqualification from the tournament.