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.

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

Warning

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

Questions about qualifier events? Email support@pickleball.com.