Grab your paddles and put your game faces on because The Pickle Games Miami, which promises to be “the world’s largest pickleball festival,” is headed to the city!
It’s no secret that pickleball has taken the country by storm. As of this year, the sport has a total of 8.9 million players over the age of six, compared to 4.8 million in 2022, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). But in case you’re unfamiliar, pickleball combines elements of badminton, tennis and ping pong on a court the size of a doubles badminton court.
Active Miamians now have even more opportunities to test their skills when the The Pickle Games makes its debut at the Miami Marine Stadium on January 13 and 14, bringing everyone together from long-time lovers of the sport to first time picklers.
Produced by Black Stage Productions, the weekend will consist of tournament competitions across 100 courts overlooking the water, as well as activations including VIP lounges, specialty vendors, musical performances, food and drink offerings, Instagrammable moments and more. So whether you’re a competitor, spectator or simply curious about what pickleball even is — regardless of skill level, too — the festival welcomes everyone to dive into the world of the quickly-growing sport!
If you’re looking to compete, the tournament aspect will include Doubles and Mixed Doubles competitions across age divisions as well as a Pro Division. Early bird registration is available now, at $400 per team, which includes two days of pickleball, commemorative merchandise, as well as access to an athlete village that will provide an array of services and experiences for participating athletes.
The Pickle Games Miami is taking place Saturday, January 13 and Sunday, January 14, 2024 at the Miami Marine Stadium at 3501 Rickenbacker Causeway. For more info and registration, visit thepicklegames.com.