How to Set Up a Qualifier Event in PT
A qualifier event in Pickleball Tournaments (PT) is a bracket where players compete for spots in a Main Draw. This guide covers two common qualifier scenarios and how to configure the events for each.
Table of Contents
- Scenario 1 — Qualifier feeds into Main Draw
- Scenario 2 — Main Draw feeds into Bonus Draw
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Resources
Scenario 1: Qualifier feeds into a Main Draw (with optional Consolation)
In this setup, players register for the Main Draw. A set number are moved to a Qualifier bracket. Qualifier winners advance to the Main Draw; losers may move to a Consolation bracket.
Main Draw event settings
- Format: your preferred format (round robin, elimination, etc.)
- Link to Parent Event: None
- Include in Registration Cost: Yes or No (your choice)
- Lock Public Registrations: No
Qualifier event settings
- Format: Single Elimination
- Link to Parent Event: Main Draw
- Include in Registration Cost: No
- Event Cost: $0
- Lock Public Registrations: Yes
- After saving: Edit the Qualifier event and set Is Qualifier to Yes. Set the Winner to dropdown to Main Draw (with qualifying criteria) and the Loser to dropdown to Consolation (if applicable).
Consolation event settings (if used)
- Format: your preferred format
- Link to Parent Event: Main Draw
- Include in Registration Cost: No
- Event Cost: $0
- Lock Public Registrations: Yes
Scenario 2: Main Draw feeds into a Bonus Draw
In this setup, the Main Draw itself acts as a qualifier. A set number of losers from the Main Draw are moved to a Bonus event.
Main Draw event settings (when used as qualifier)
- Format: Single Elimination (required when feeding a Bonus Draw)
- Link to Parent Event: None
- After saving: Edit the Main Draw event and set Is Qualifier to Yes. Set the Loser to dropdown to Bonus Draw with the criteria for how many losers move.
Bonus Draw event settings
- Format: your preferred format
- Link to Parent Event: Main Draw
- Include in Registration Cost: No
- Event Cost: $0
- Lock Public Registrations: Yes
All events linked to a parent event (Qualifier, Consolation, Bonus) must have Lock Public Registrations set to Yes. Players are moved into these events by the system — they should not be able to self-register.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do players register for the Qualifier event directly?
Players register for the Main Draw only. The Qualifier, Consolation, and Bonus events have public registration locked — players are moved into those events by PT based on the qualifier criteria you configure.
Does the Main Draw format matter for Scenario 2?
The Main Draw must be Single Elimination when it feeds a Bonus Draw. Other formats are not supported for this scenario.
Related Resources
- How to Set Up an Event in Your Tournament in PT
- How to Verify Your Brackets in Live Console
- How to Merge or Unmerge Events in PT
- How to Create Separate Playoffs After a Merged Round Robin Event in PT
Questions about qualifier events? Email support@pickleball.com.