Pirate Jam 2020 is already completely full. The only remaining open spot in Pirate Jam is the Grand Prize spot being awarded via the Pre-Jam Skirmish.
This isn't an issue of payment - though being able to purchase a ticket does help (a little) in the general selection process. It's an issue of the number of boats we can fit into an anchorage safely (6~7). And how many guests can stay aboard those boats comfortably (3~5). And how many sponsors we get who pay for their own boats and/or teams. This year we have 3 sponsored boats out of 6 which doesn't leave a lot of space for those who would be willing to purchase tickets.
Ultimately it's just not a very big event - 20 guests and 10 crew aboard 6 boats. And that makes selection difficult... with there being more than a few people who've applied to join for several years who've yet to be selected.
A goal for the future is to have more than one Pirate Jam per sailing season. That would mean we could host ~40 guests per year and that would increase the likelihood of a place for those who've been trying to attend for several years.