Fall 2026 Founding Season

Season Schedule: September 16 – December 9, 2026
Regular Season: September 16 – December 2
Season Format: 11 Weeks of Regular-Season League Play + League Championship
League Night: Every Wednesday Night
Check-In: 5:30–5:55 PM
League Play Begins: 6:00 PM
Thanksgiving Bye Week: November 25 – No Regular League Matches
Final Regular-Season Night: Wednesday, December 2
League Championship: Wednesday, December 9
Location: Ready Set Fun Entertainment – Jasper, Alabama
Founding Season Rate: $100 per team

Thanksgiving Week: There will be no regular Spades League matches on Wednesday, November 25. Instead, Ready Set Fun will host the scheduled Thanksgiving-week special event. This event is separate from regular-season league standings.

Format: Two-player teams compete in scheduled weekly Spades matches. Teams earn standings points throughout the regular season, with standings updated as the season progresses.

Championship: Final regular-season standings will determine seeding and qualification for the Fall 2026 Spades League Championship on Wednesday, December 9.

Why Join?

♠️ Structured Weekly Competition — Compete in organized Spades matches every Wednesday while earning points toward the season standings.

🏆 Season Championship — Battle your way through the standings for a chance to compete in the Fall Spades League Championship.

📊 Weekly Standings — Follow your team's progress throughout the season as standings are updated.

💰 Founding Season Value — Get 11 weeks of regular-season league competition plus Championship Week for just $100 per team.

🎟️ Tournament Discounts — League members receive discounted entry into select Ready Set Fun tournament events during the season.

🤝 Community & Competition — Find your partner, build rivalries, meet other Spades players, and be part of Ready Set Fun's first-ever Spades League season.

League Rules

Teams: Each team consists of 2 players. Registered partners will compete together throughout the regular season.

Game Format: League play will use Ready Set Fun's standard Spades rules. Partners sit across from one another and work together throughout each match.

Regular-Season / Timed Play: Pool and bracket games are played to 250 points. When a time limit is being used, the current hand will be completed when time expires, and the team with the higher score at the completion of that hand wins.

Championship: The Fall 2026 Spades League Championship will use 500-point games, providing a full-length championship format to determine the league champion.

Bidding: Each player will bid the number of tricks they expect to take. Team bids are combined to establish the team's contract for the hand.

Nil: Nil bids are permitted. A successful Nil earns the designated bonus while an unsuccessful Nil receives the corresponding penalty under Ready Set Fun Spades rules.

Bags/Overtricks: Overtricks will be tracked throughout each game. Standard bag penalties will apply when a team reaches the established bag limit.

Breaking Spades: Spades may not be led until they have been broken unless a player's hand consists entirely of Spades.

Table Talk: Partners may not communicate information about their cards, bids, or desired plays through verbal comments, signals, gestures, or other forms of unauthorized communication.

Weekly Matches: Teams will play scheduled matches each Wednesday night. The number of matches played each week may vary based on league participation.

Sportsmanship: Good sportsmanship is required at all times. Unsportsmanlike conduct, intentional stalling, cheating, inappropriate table talk, arguing with opponents or staff, or repeated rule violations may result in warnings, forfeiture, or removal from league play.

Officials: Ready Set Fun staff will make final rulings on disputes and situations not specifically covered by the published league rules.

League Scoring & Standings

Each scheduled league match will count toward the Fall 2026 Spades League standings.

Standings Points:

Match Win — 3 points
Match Loss — 0 points
Forfeit Win — 3 points
Forfeit Loss — 0 points

All league matches will be played to a winner. No ties will be recorded in the standings.

Standings will be updated throughout the season based on each team's accumulated standings points.

If two or more teams finish tied in the standings, the following tiebreakers will be used in order:

1. Head-to-head record
2. Match/game score differential
3. Total points scored
4. Random draw if teams remain tied

Final regular-season standings will determine championship seeding and qualification for the Fall 2026 Spades League Championship on December 9.

League Policies

Attendance & Check-In: Teams should arrive and check in between 5:30–5:55 PM and be ready for league play beginning at 6:00 PM. Teams are responsible for being ready when their match is called.

Absences: If a team knows it will miss a league night, Ready Set Fun should be notified as soon as possible. Missed matches may be recorded as forfeits unless a makeup match is approved by Ready Set Fun.

Substitutes: Teams may use a substitute when a registered player is unavailable. Substitutes must follow all league rules and must be approved before participating. A substitute may not be used during the League Championship unless approved by Ready Set Fun due to extenuating circumstances.

Late Arrivals: Teams that are not ready to play when called may be subject to a forfeit. Ready Set Fun staff may allow a reasonable grace period when circumstances permit.

Schedule Changes: Ready Set Fun reserves the right to adjust weekly match schedules when necessary due to attendance, facility needs, weather, or other circumstances.

Sportsmanship: Respectful conduct toward opponents, spectators, and Ready Set Fun staff is required. Repeated unsportsmanlike conduct may result in match forfeiture or removal from the league without refund.

Rule Decisions: Ready Set Fun staff have final authority on league rules, disputes, scoring decisions, scheduling issues, and situations not specifically addressed in the published rules.

Registration & Refunds: League registration covers the full Fall 2026 season. Registration fees are non-refundable once league play begins, except when otherwise approved by Ready Set Fun.

Championship Eligibility: Teams must remain in good standing and meet league participation requirements to qualify for the December 9 League Championship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a partner to register?
Yes. Spades League registration is for a two-player team. One person may complete the registration and provide information for both players.

How much does the league cost?
The Fall 2026 Founding Season rate is $100 per team, covering all 11 regular-season league weeks plus Championship Week.

When does Spades League play?
Spades League plays every Wednesday night beginning September 16. Check-in is from 5:30–5:55 PM and league play begins at 6:00 PM. The final regular-season league night is December 2.

What happens Thanksgiving week?
There will be no regular Spades League matches on November 25. Thanksgiving-week activities are separate from the regular-season standings. League play resumes on December 2 for Week 11 and the final night of the regular season.

When is the League Championship?
The Fall 2026 Spades League Championship will be held Wednesday, December 9. Championship seeding and eligibility will be based on final regular-season standings and league requirements.

Do I need to be an experienced Spades player?
No. Players of different experience levels are welcome, but participants should understand the basic rules of Spades before league play.

Can we use a substitute?
Yes. Substitutes may be used during regular-season play when necessary, subject to Ready Set Fun approval. Championship substitutions are only permitted when specifically approved.

What if my team misses a week?
Contact Ready Set Fun as soon as possible. Missed matches may result in a forfeit unless a makeup match is approved.

Are cards and scorekeeping materials provided?
Yes. Ready Set Fun will provide the cards and materials needed for scheduled league play.

Does my league registration include tournaments?
No. Cash Series tournaments and other special events are separate registrations. League members may receive discounted entry into select Ready Set Fun tournament events when offered.

Where is the league held?
All league nights are held at Ready Set Fun Entertainment in Jasper, Alabama.

Who do I contact if I have questions?
Email events@readysetfunentertainment.com or call (205) 754-0683.