Paddlestar Galactica, the ping-pong tournament event supporting 826DC’s programs, returns on Saturday, April 27th, 1 PM to 4 PM at SPIN DC! Learn more and sign up here.
News and Events
February 2016

Announcing Paddlestar Galactica IV

Do you enjoy contests of patience, sweat, and swagger? If so, join us for the triumphant return of Paddlestar Galactica IV: A Ping-Pong Tournament Benefiting 826DC. We need fearless heroes, fabulous fundraisers and Heisman-like athletes.

Paddlestar IV Save The Date


How It Works For the entire month of March we’ll be celebrating Paddlestar Galactica IV, with the main event on Sunday, April 3. Starting on Monday, February 29, our star athletes will gather financial support from family, friends, co-workers and Ping-Pong aficionados all to benefit the free programming of 826DC. On April 3, 2016, contenders will compete. The more money each participant raises, the more money they’ll have to “purchase” cheats on the day of the tournament.

Kick-off Event: Monday, February 29, at Comet Ping Pong (5037 Connecticut Ave NW) at 6 p.m. Participants will generate their own individual fundraising pages. We have reserved the back room and folks will be able to practice/show-off your Ping-Pong skills. We’ll also be taking official participant photos for the 826DC website.

Weekly Practice: Weekly practice will kick off on Monday, February 29 at 6 p.m. and be held Mondays in March (14, 21, 28) at 6 p.m. at Comet Ping Pong (5037 Connecticut Ave NW). Practice is not mandatory, but strongly encouraged! Delightful prizes will be distributed each week to the week’s top fundraiser and the champion of a skill-based challenge.

The Main Event: On Sunday, April 3 at 12 p.m. at U Street Music Hall. Players will compete for a first place trophy and prestige in a bracket-style competition. Prizes will also be awarded for “Best Uniform” and “Bling Pong” (for the individual who raised the most money overall). Spectators are invited to help select the winner for Best Uniform.

Cheats, You Say? All the money raised goes to 826DC, but also to your “bank”. On the day of the tournament, participants can “purchase” cheats from their “bank” to use during the tournament. A complete list of cheats can be viewed HERE.

What about teams?

Everyone who signs up to play will receive an individual fundraising page.

Participants are highly encouraged to get together for fundraising projects like dinner parties and bake sales, then split the proceeds.

On the day of the tournament, if you decide to pool your cheat money with 1-2 other participants and trade off paddles between rounds of play, that will be allowed (but not required). If you win as a team, you’ll split the prize and share the trophy. So go ahead and purchase those matching sweatbands.