How to Run a Bocce Event in Colorado

Bocce events in Colorado are relaxed charity tournaments and leagues at parks, wineries and taprooms with courts, usually spring through fall.

In this video

Step by step

Running a bocce event in Colorado? Here's how to plan it, pick a format and run it on Colorado Under Par, start to finish.

What it looks like

Bocce events in Colorado are relaxed charity tournaments and leagues at parks, wineries and taprooms with courts, usually spring through fall.

Formats

Doubles: Two-player teams each throw two balls per frame, trying to land closest to the small target ball.
Singles: One player against another, each throwing several balls per frame.
Team (4-Player): Four-player teams each throw one ball per frame, trying to land closest to the target ball.
Round Robin: Teams are placed in pools and play every other team in their pool.
Single Elimination: Teams are seeded into a bracket and the loser of each game is out until one champion is left.
Open / Social Play: Courts are open for anyone to play casual games, with no bracket and lots of mixing.
League: Teams play weekly matches through a season, earning points in standings that lead to a final.
Pallino Kiss Challenge: Win a prize when your ball rolls up and touches the pallino. It takes a soft touch and earns a big cheer when it happens.
Buy a Bonus Ball: Teams buy one extra throw per match for a few dollars. It raises easy money and adds a little strategy to close games.
Golden Pallino Trophy: Champions win a pallino painted gold on a small stand. Winners sign the base, and it returns each year for the next champions.

Build it

In the Organizer Dashboard, click Create event and pick bocce and your format. Every tab, word and Start here guide then follows your sport.

Registration

Organizers usually ask for team name, player names and whether they play competitively or casually.

Results

Open Brackets and schedule. Pick the division, pool play or a bracket, your courts, the first game time and minutes per game. Each of your courts gets its own phone link for scores, and every score updates the bracket for everyone. Tick Post on the event page so players follow it live.

Event day

Teams check in, get court assignments, play scheduled games and report scores, then finalists play and prizes are awarded.

Fun ideas

Make it memorable. Three ideas people love. Pallino Kiss Challenge. Win a prize when your ball rolls up and touches the pallino. It takes a soft touch and earns a big cheer when it happens. Buy a Bonus Ball. Teams buy one extra throw per match for a few dollars. It raises easy money and adds a little strategy to close games. Golden Pallino Trophy. Champions win a pallino painted gold on a small stand. Winners sign the base, and it returns each year for the next champions.

Tip

One tip for first-timers: have a measuring tape handy at every court for close calls, and post the house rules clearly before play starts. Building is free, then 1% per paid order plus card processing, paid to your own Stripe account. Stuck? Ask Caddie or search Need help in your dashboard. Start at coloradounderpar.com/sell-tickets.

Questions organizers ask

What formats can you use for a bocce event?

Common bocce formats include Doubles, Singles, Team (4-Player), Round Robin, Single Elimination, Open / Social Play, League, Pallino Kiss Challenge, Buy a Bonus Ball and Golden Pallino Trophy. On Colorado Under Par you pick one when you create your event, and every tab and the Start here guide follow it.

What should you ask bocce participants when they register?