Competition Format
The AO Pickleball Slam uses a team round-robin format: every team faces all other teams once in the group stage. At the end of round-robin play, the top two teams progress to the Final on day three.
Each tie consists of eight matches:
Women’s Singles
Men’s Singles
Women’s Singles
Men’s Singles
Women’s Doubles
Men’s Doubles
Mixed Doubles
Mixed Doubles

All eight matches are played in each tie, And if a tie ends 4–4, the winner is decided via the AOPS Showdown, a 10-minute timed singles showdown with matchups rotating every five points.

Matches are time-based and follow a rally-scoring system, meaning every point counts!

Time Limits / Match Structure
Singles: 10 minutes
Doubles / Mixed Doubles: 20 minutes
AOPS Showdown: 10 minutes
Change of ends: halfway through each game with a 60-second break
This structure keeps the action moving and ensures each player gets maximum exposure, with 130 matches across group and finals stages.

Serving Rules – Rally Pickleball
Singles: Each player serves until they lose a point, then the serve passes to the opponent.
Doubles: Player A serves until losing a point, then Player B serves. Then the serve passes to the other team.
Showdown: Same rules apply. Even with rotating singles matchups in the Showdown, the serve continues until the player loses a point.

Scoring & Leaderboard
Competition Points per Tie:
Win: 4 points
AOPS Showdown Loss: 2 points
Loss: 0 points
Tie Winner: Total matches won (including Showdown)
Final Round-Robin Standings: Total competition points → matches won → points won → head-to-head
Top 2 teams progress to the Final.

Prize Money
Teams compete for their share of $100,000:
1st: $40,000/team
2nd: $24,000
3rd: $16,000
4th: $12,000
5th: $8,000
6th: $4,000
Beyond the prize money, players enjoy exclusive AO amenities, including ANZ Arena access, on-site hospitality, and locker rooms.

These teams bring together some of the best pickleball talent from Australia and around the world, each representing their own unique style and energy as they battle for the AO Pickleball Slam title. Can Hosier defend their title, or will a new champion emerge from Melbourne’s laneways?

Ready to play pickleball? With clubs and courts across Australia, getting involved has never been easier visit www.pickleballaus.au to get started today.