Grand Rapids Welcomes 1200 Pickleball Players for Annual Tournament

Grand Rapids Welcomes 1200 Pickleball Players: The seventh installment of the Beer City Open Pickleball Championships, set to take place in the heart of Grand Rapids, Michigan, promises a week-long celebration of athleticism, camaraderie, and spirited competition. From July 9 through 14, Belknap Park’s expanse will play host to a spectacle unlike any other as 1,200 competitors descend upon its courts from across the United States and beyond, representing over 10 countries worldwide.

This year, the tournament assumes even greater significance with the integration of Major League Pickleball’s “Mid-Season Tournament,” marking a pivotal moment for the sport’s burgeoning professional landscape. As the country’s premier amateur players look for glory, all 22 professional pickleball teams will converge upon Belknap Park, each harboring aspirations of clinching the coveted title of Beer City Open, Major League Pickleball Mid-Season Champion. With a staggering $200,000 in additional prize money up for grabs, the stakes have never been higher.

Reflecting on the tournament’s evolution, Andrea Remynse Koop, Beer City Open’s esteemed tournament director and a nationally renowned professional pickleball player, remarks, “With the addition of Major League Pickleball, Beer City Open has become a cornerstone event for professional pickleball, in addition to the dynamic community of amateur players who gather in Grand Rapids every summer to celebrate the sport.”

Spearheaded by the tournament’s sponsor, AHC Hospitality, the festivities extend beyond the courts, permeating the city’s vibrant culinary landscape. Signature craft cocktails, crafted with playful nods to pickleball terminology and infused with an array of ingredients, grace the menus of Grand Rapids’ premier establishments, offering participants and spectators alike a tantalizing blend of refreshment and indulgence.

Throughout the tournament, attendees can indulge in an array of delights courtesy of local food trucks, while beer tents from Bells Brewery and Michelob Ultra promise to quench the thirst of parched competitors and spectators alike. A liquor tasting room and a curated selection of vendors further enrich the festival atmosphere, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all in attendance.

Under the surface of spirited competition lies a noble cause, as the Beer City Open operates as a nonprofit endeavor, with all proceeds directed towards the Belknap Enhancement Fund. Over the years, the tournament, in collaboration with the Grand Rapids Pickleball Club, has contributed over $100,000 towards park improvements, including court resurfacing, expansion, and lighting upgrades, underscoring its unwavering commitment to community enrichment and park revitalization.

Each exhilarating day of competition invites spectators to revel in the festivities as the sun sets, offering free admission to the Beer City Open. Although it’s advisable to bring your own chairs, the limited bleacher seating guarantees everyone’s access to the electrifying spectacle, embodying the pickleball community’s ethos of inclusivity and shared enjoyment.

News in Brief: Grand Rapids Welcomes 1200 Pickleball Players