How to Find and Enter a USTA Tennis Tournament
USTA-sanctioned tournaments in the US are listed and entered on the USTA's PlayTennis site. Search by ZIP code, distance, date, age group or level; open an event; and register online with a payment card before the entry deadline. Players are selected after entries close and get an email. Adult events are entered either by age division (for example 40 & Over) or by NTRP level (such as 3.5 or 4.0). Most events need an active USTA membership, and the USTA uses the World Tennis Number (WTN) for seeding and selection in ranking tournaments. This is an independent guide; always check the event's own page for its rules.
Last reviewed: October 28, 2026.
About this guide
Racketlovers is an independent live-scoring app. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the USTA, UTR Sports or the ITF, and the app does not connect to their systems. Event details, fees and rules change; the tournament's listing on the USTA's site always wins.
Where to search for USTA tournaments
Adult, junior and wheelchair tournaments moved from the old TennisLink system to the USTA's PlayTennis platform. Start at playtennis.usta.com and open the Tournaments search, or go through the play section of usta.com.
Filter by ZIP code and radius, dates, your USTA section or district, age group and level. Each listing shows the venue, the events offered (singles, doubles, age or NTRP divisions), the entry fee, the entry deadline and the format. Your section's office can help if you can't find a suitable event.
- Create or sign in to your USTA account and check that your profile (date of birth, gender, NTRP, section) is correct; eligibility is read from it.
- Make sure your USTA membership is active if the event requires it (most sanctioned events do).
- Search tournaments near you and open the one you want.
- Choose your events (for example Men's 40 & Over Singles, or Women's 3.5 Doubles with your partner).
- Register and add a payment card before the deadline.
- After entries close, watch your email for selection, the draw and your first match time.
Tournament levels 1 to 7
Every USTA tournament has a level from 1 to 7. Levels 1–3 are national events on the USTA's national schedule; levels 4–7 are sectional and local. The lower the number, the stronger and more selective the field.
If you are new to tournaments, look for level 6 or 7 events (often local, sometimes one-day), then move up as you win matches. Juniors follow a separate pathway with its own levels and points, set by the USTA and each section.
| Level | Scope | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | National | Experienced, ranked players |
| 4–5 | Sectional / regional | Regular tournament players |
| 6–7 | Local | Newcomers and players returning to competition |
Adult and senior divisions: age or NTRP
Adult tournaments offer two kinds of draw. Age-division events have a minimum age and no level limit: Open (18 & Over) and then five-year steps such as 30, 35, 40, 45 … up to 90 & Over. NTRP events group players by rating, usually from 2.5 or 3.0 up to 5.0, sometimes combined with an age group such as 40 & Over or 55 & Over.
Senior players can enter a younger age division but not an older one. Which divisions and NTRP levels are offered, and how your age is counted, depends on the section and the event, so check the listing and your section's regulations.
Not sure which age group you are in this year? Use our free senior tennis age group calculator. It applies the ITF calendar-year rule (your age on 31 December); USTA sections may count differently, so confirm with the event.
WTN, NTRP and UTR: which rating matters?
A WTN is lower when you are better; a UTR is higher when you are better. They are calculated from match results, so a new player's number settles after a handful of matches. You can look up your WTN at worldtennisnumber.com and your UTR at utrsports.net.
| Rating | Who runs it | Scale | Where it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Tennis Number (WTN) | ITF / World Tennis, shown in your USTA account | 40 (beginner) to 1 (elite pro) | Seeding and selection in USTA ranking tournaments (per USTA national regulations) |
| NTRP | USTA | 1.5 to 7.0 | Adult NTRP tournaments and USTA League |
| UTR | UTR Sports, a separate company | 1.00 to 16.50 | UTR-run events, college recruiting, many clubs |
What about UTR tournaments?
UTR events are run through UTR Sports' own platform, often as level-based round robins where everyone gets several matches. They are separate from USTA-sanctioned tournaments: a UTR event does not earn USTA ranking points unless it is also USTA-sanctioned. Search for them on utrsports.net.
What to expect on match day
- Check the schedule the day before; times often say “not before”, so arrive early and check in at the tournament desk.
- Most matches have no chair umpire. Players call their own lines and the server announces the score, following the USTA's guidance for unofficiated matches (The Code). A roving referee may be on site.
- Know the format. Many adult and senior events use a 10-point match tiebreak instead of a third set, and some use No-Ad. Our tiebreak rules guide and formats guide cover both.
- Warm-up is short (usually five minutes).
- Report the result to the desk straight after the match, as the event instructs.
Let family follow your tournament match live
Most tournament matches are never streamed, and family members are left refreshing a draw. With the Racketlovers app you can score your match live from the court: you enter the games at each changeover and your opponent confirms them. Share the match link and family can follow the score in the free app, without creating an account. Every match stays in your history in the app.
Racketlovers is for you and your followers; it does not send results to the USTA, WTN or UTR. The tournament desk still records the result that counts.
At 6–6 the app asks for the tiebreak score, and it checks a 10-point match tiebreak (first to 10, win by 2), so the final score you share is the right one. See how it works.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find USTA tournaments near me?
Search the Tournaments section of the USTA's PlayTennis site by ZIP code and radius, then filter by date, age group and level. Your USTA section office can also help.
Do I need a USTA membership to play a tournament?
For most USTA-sanctioned tournaments, yes. Requirements vary by event and section, so check the listing before you register.
What USTA tournament level should a beginner enter?
Level 6 or 7. These are local events for newcomers; levels 4–5 are sectional and levels 1–3 national.
What age divisions do USTA adult tournaments have?
Open (18 & Over) and then five-year age groups such as 30, 35, 40 … up to 90 & Over. You may play down into a younger division but not up into an older one.
What is the difference between WTN and UTR?
WTN is the ITF's rating, used by the USTA, on a 40-to-1 scale where lower is better. UTR is run by UTR Sports on a 1-to-16.5 scale where higher is better.
When do I find out if I got into a USTA tournament?
After the entry deadline. Players are selected once entries close and are notified by email; the event then appears in your schedule.
Do matches scored in Racketlovers count for my USTA ranking or WTN?
No. Racketlovers is an independent app for live scoring and sharing. Tournament results are recorded by the event.