Granted, Greensboro lost the permanent possession of the men’s Atlantic Coast Conference Basketball Tournament after the University of Barcelona and the Figi Islands College of Marine Biology were added to the ACC; however, the Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau had a big announcement on Wednesday, May 7 that should still allow the city to keep calling itself “Tournament Town.”
Pickleball, America’s fastest-growing sport, has shown astounding popularity, especially among older adults, and, from Wednesday, May 28 to Sunday, June 1, pickleball will take over the Greensboro Special Events Center with the city’s first major event of its kind – a USA Pickleball Golden Ticket tournament.
The event may even get Greensboro some national TV exposure. That wasn’t mentioned in the May 7 announcement; however, there are a few dedicated pickleball channels: PickleTV and Pickleball Channel for instance. Also, CBS Sports and ESPN have announced deals to broadcast Association of Pickleball Professionals Tour programming – including live matches and event recaps.
Another indication of the massive popularity of the sport is that rumor has it that former Rhino Times Owner and Editor John Hammer stepped down from The Rhino Times in order to pursue his obsession with pickleball.
Parks and Recreation Departments of Guilford County as well as within it have created many new pickleball courts in the county in an attempt to keep up with demand.
The USA Pickleball Golden Ticket in Greensboro serves as a qualifier for the USA Pickleball National Championship, which will take place in the fall of 2025. According to officials from the Visitors Bureau, the tournament is expected to draw top athletes from around the country.
In 2024, Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau invested in portable courts in order to make Greensboro a top pickleball destination.
Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Henri Fourrier was obviously delighted with the news.
“We are always looking for the next big thing to help Tournament Town grow and evolve,” he said on Wednesday. “The addition of pickleball to our lineup of championship events is a natural fit. This tournament puts Greensboro on the national stage once again and highlights our commitment to staying ahead of the game in the world of sports tourism.”
The portable pickleball courts are designed for indoor use. Those types of courts make it possible for Greensboro to host pickleball year-round regardless of the weather.
Mike Nealy, CEO of USA Pickleball, said that Greensboro offers a great deal for the sport.
“Greensboro has seen tremendous pickleball growth in recent years,” he said. “The Greensboro Coliseum Complex is one of the largest pickleball facilities in the US and we’re excited to play there. Any city known as Tournament Town is where we want to be, and we look forward to welcoming athletes aiming for the national stage.”
The Convention and Visitors Bureau expects roughly 1,200 players to compete in the event, with an estimated draw of 2,500 guests.
The tournament is expected to generate more than $2 million in economic impact for the Greensboro community.
Richard Beard, the president of the Greensboro Sports Foundation and a candidate for the Greensboro City Council, said this can help Greensboro become a true national focal point for the sport that’s really taken off in recent years.
“With pickleball being the fastest growing sport in the US today, Greensboro is taking a bold position in the purchase of these pickleball courts to host these large events indoors,” Beard said. “It also shows the flexibility of our Coliseum Complex to be able to have 32 courts indoors at different times year-round. Tournament Town will become a national leader in pickleball, just like we have done in swimming, soccer, and basketball!”
Everyone is welcome to register and compete – regardless of your age or skill level. You can sign up now at usapickleball.org/goldenticket/Greensboro.
The deadline for registration is Sunday, May 18.
According to the “Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties” study prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics, travel and tourism generated about $1.7 billion in Guilford County in 2023, and it helped employ more than 11,000 in travel-related jobs.
You mean GSO DOES have a modicum of common sense and class?
Perhaps it’ll result in a short visit from my family from CA, who hasn’t come here in over 35 years because “there’s nothing to do”, but one is a pickleball fanatic. You never know.
they don’t pray, shop, golf or garden ? have they tried driving around in circles at high speed while spectators hope to see a fiery crash ?
Hornets, Panthers, ACC HQ????? Move over Queen City of the South, there’s a new sports mecca in town.
i am hosting my first major pickle competition. enter your pickle win a prize !
We like Dave’s pickles.
cucumbers have much.
Aunt Bea did that in the 60’s. You’ve already lost.