YMCA National Pickleball Tournament: YMCA of the USA will host its first-ever YMCA National Pickleball Tournament from November 7 to 9 in Naples, Florida. The event will be held at the USOP National Pickleball Center and bring together players ages 12 and up from YMCAs across the country to compete in this landmark tournament.
Celebrating a Growing Sport
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. The YMCA of the USA hopes this event will highlight how popular and welcoming the sport has become.
Meredith Griffin, Director of Sports and Competitive Events Strategy at YMCA of the USA, said, “We’re excited to kick off this first YMCA national championship event, spotlighting the incredible rise of pickleball as a sport. Pickleball stands as a welcoming sport, embracing individuals of all ages, skill levels, and abilities. Recognizing the rapid growth of this family-friendly sport, we eagerly anticipate many years of celebrating the thriving community that pickleball is creating at YMCAs across the country!”
How the Tournament Works
Winners of each division will get an automatic spot in the 2026 U.S. Open Pickleball Championships, held every year in Naples. The U.S. Open is known as the largest and most competitive pickleball tournament in the world. Players from more than 40 countries come to compete, and most people must enter a lottery just to have a chance to register.
This new YMCA event gives athletes a unique opportunity to skip that lottery if they win their division.
Bringing Communities Together
Pickleball’s easy-to-learn rules and friendly atmosphere have made it popular at YMCAs. From teens to seniors, players enjoy the sport as a way to stay active and connect with others.
The USOP National Pickleball Center is located at 3520 Thomasson Lane, Naples, Florida. YMCA of the USA leaders hope this tournament will become an annual event and inspire more people to pick up a paddle.
News in Brief: YMCA National Pickleball Tournament
YMCA of the USA will hold its first national pickleball tournament on November 7-9 at the USOP National Pickleball Center in Naples, Florida. Players ages 12 and up will compete for a spot in the 2026 U.S. Open Pickleball Championships, the world’s largest pickleball event.
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