Ballarat’s Pickleball at its finest
Around the courts, you’ll hear us called the Highlanders. Some members affectionately refer to themselves as CHPCers. Whichever name you use, it’s all about community, competition, and fun. Come play with us today!
Our Team
Some of the fantastic people who call Central Highlands Pickleball their home….
Four Days of Pickleball Action!
23–26 January 2027 | Buninyong, Ballarat, Victoria
The Central Highlands Pickleball Classic is back for 2027, and we're gearing up for four fantastic days of competition, community and summer pickleball!
Following an incredible 2026 tournament that welcomed over 400 players, Central Highlands Pickleball Club is excited to bring players from across Victoria and beyond back to Ballarat for another unforgettable Australia Day long weekend.
Whether you're chasing medals, Australian Ranking points, Victorian Rally Series points, or simply love the thrill of competitive pickleball, there's something for everyone at the 2027 Central Highlands Pickleball Classic.
Four Days. Plenty of Pickleball.
From Saturday 23 January through to Tuesday 26 January, the Buninyong Tennis Centre will come alive with singles, doubles, mixed doubles, junior events and plenty of exciting matches.
This is a Pickleball Australia Tier 4 sanctioned tournament and part of the Victorian Rally Series (VRS), giving eligible competitors the opportunity to earn ranking points while enjoying a fantastic regional tournament atmosphere.
Tournament Schedule
Days and Events
Saturday 23 January: Women's Singles & Skinny Singles, Men's Doubles, Junior Coed Doubles
Sunday 24 January: Men's Singles & Skinny Singles, Women's Doubles, Junior Coed Singles
Monday 25 January: Split Age Gender Doubles, Split Age Mixed Doubles
Tuesday 26 January: Mixed Doubles
Players can enter up to five events, subject to category and eligibility requirements.
All events feature round-robin competition followed by medal playoffs, with a minimum of four games guaranteed per event.
Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded in each bracket.
Registration Is Now Open!
Get in early to secure your place and take advantage of our discounted registration fees.
Keen Bean – Until 15 November 2026 $45
On the Ball – 16–30 November 2026 $55
Right on Time – 1–31 December 2026 $65
Fashionably Late – From 1 January 2027 $70
Event entry: $20 per event, in addition to the tournament registration fee.
Registrations close at 11:55 pm on 9 January 2027, or earlier if capacity is reached.
Don't leave it too late - places in popular divisions may fill quickly!
Competition, Community and Country Hospitality
The Central Highlands Classic is about more than medals.
It's an opportunity to reconnect with pickleball friends, meet new players, challenge yourself on court and experience the welcoming community that makes regional pickleball so special.
Whether you're an experienced tournament competitor or entering one of your first major events, we look forward to welcoming you to Ballarat.
And with four days of competition over the Australia Day long weekend, it's the perfect excuse to make a trip of it!
Tournament Details
Event: VRS Central Highlands Pickleball Classic 2027
Dates: Saturday 23 – Tuesday 26 January 2027
Venue: Buninyong Tennis Centre, Forest Street, Buninyong VIC 3357
Host: Central Highlands Pickleball Club
Sanctioning: Pickleball Australia Tier 4
Series: Victorian Rally Series
Registration closes: 9 January 2027
Important Player Information
All participants must have a Pickleball Tournaments account linked to a current Pickleball Australia membership and DUPR account.
Players entering doubles events must ensure their partner also registers. Event eligibility and skill divisions will be determined according to the tournament's published conditions.
For full tournament rules, event formats, eligibility requirements and withdrawal policies, please refer to the official tournament registration page.
We'll See You on Court!
Bring your paddle, your competitive spirit and your love of pickleball.
Let's make the 2027 Central Highlands Pickleball Classic even bigger and better than last year!
Registrations are open now — secure your spot and join us in Ballarat this January!
[Register for the 2027 Central Highlands Pickleball Classic]
Central Highlands Pickleball Classic 2027
Past Event: The Central Highlands Pickleball Rodeo 2026
What an incredible way to begin 2026!
With over 430 registrations for our Central Highlands Pickleball Classic, our club kicked off the year with outstanding energy and community support. The tournament was a huge success and we received wonderful feedback from players, members, visiting clubs and officials. The atmosphere, sportsmanship and teamwork on display truly showcased what our club is all about.
Looking Ahead
The excitement doesn’t stop there. We have an action packed year ahead, including:
Interclub Rumbles with visiting clubs
Our annual Club Championships
Travelling together to tournaments
And a few exciting announcements we’re keeping under wraps (for now!)
Make sure you stay tuned as we head toward the end of August that’s when things really heat up!
Great News for Members
This week, our committee was thrilled to announce a reduction in club fees.
Thanks to the strong participation at the Classic, the incredible support from our volunteers and the dedication of our hardworking committee, we are now able to offer a $5 entry fee. We hope this makes pickleball even more accessible and encourages even more players to come through our doors.
A huge thank you to all members for supporting Central Highlands your involvement makes everything possible.
Growing the Game
We’re also proud to be growing the next generation of players.
Hannah, Dave, Alicia and Roger have been running Tuesday night coaching sessions for children in our community and the response has been fantastic. It’s been wonderful to see so many young players getting involved and loving the game.
If you’re interested in coaching, for children or adults, Hannah is available for both one-on-one and group sessions.
Let’s keep this momentum going, Highlanders.
Team CHP
Dave · Liz · Hannah · Tom · Ryan · Lizzie · Dan
