2025 Bristol Sportsplex Pickleball Tournament: he Tri-Cities region is about to witness an exciting addition to its professional sports calendar as the Professional Pickleball Association’s (PPA) Veolia Bristol Open returns for its second year. Scheduled for August 6-10 at the Bristol Sportsplex, the event follows the conclusion of the Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway, promising a thrilling week of top-tier pickleball action right in Bristol, Tennessee.
A Rapid Transformation: From Racquet Club to Pickleball Destination
The venue for this marquee event, the Bristol Sportsplex on Raytheon Road, has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last five years. Once known as the Bristol Racquet Club, the facility was revitalized under the ownership of Matt and Hollie Lavinder. The upgrades and expansions have turned it into a state-of-the-art hub for racquet sports, fitness, and community activities.
Last year’s inaugural Bristol Open was a significant success, drawing some of the world’s best pickleball athletes. Top players like Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters dominated the competition, each capturing multiple titles including the mixed doubles championship, where they joined forces to clinch the crown. This strong debut set high expectations for the 2025 event.
Boosting the Pickleball Experience in Bristol
Eduardo Ferreira, who began his tenure as executive director and head tennis and pickleball pro at Bristol Sportsplex on July 1, is focused on elevating the tournament experience beyond last year’s accomplishments. Ferreira, originally from Minaçu, Goiás, Brazil, brings a wealth of racquet sports knowledge and enthusiasm to the role.
“The thing they are trying to do now at the Bristol Sportsplex is changing the experience,” Ferreira said. “Last year was awesome, but what Matt feels is that was just a little bit of the potential that we have here.” His goal is to push the event to new heights—improving it by 10, 20, or even 30 percent—and ideally creating the best iteration yet.
His passion for sports and community shines through as he aims to engage more participants and spectators, building on the momentum of the Bristol Stars & Stripes Tournament held just weeks earlier, which attracted over 300 players.
From Tennis Pro to Community Builder
Ferreira’s background is rich with racquet sports achievements. Starting tennis at age 7 at his father’s Sama Tennis Academy in Brazil, he quickly rose through the ranks, winning prestigious titles such as the Trophée BNP Paribas de la Famille in France in 2010. He has been ranked among Brazil’s top players and competed extensively across 18 countries.
His journey took him away from an intended medical career to a life dedicated to tennis and now pickleball. “Tennis has opened so many doors,” Ferreira reflects. “One tennis racket takes me so many places, so many people, so many things so why do we not do that here.”
His vision is clear: to use racquet sports not only as a competitive outlet but as a vehicle to foster community and opportunities for all ages in Bristol and the broader Tri-Cities region.
A World-Class Facility and Growing Community
The Bristol Sportsplex boasts impressive facilities, including 21 outdoor pickleball courts, six indoor courts, three outdoor tennis courts, and two indoor tennis courts. Beyond the courts, the center offers amenities such as fitness spaces, soccer fields, beach volleyball courts, a lounge, and a restaurant, creating a comprehensive recreational environment.
Ferreira is enthusiastic about the potential here. “If we had a place like this in Florida it would be 1,000 people per hour, the courts are not going to be empty. They are going to be full, all the time, every single day,” he says. His aim is to create that same vibrant atmosphere in Bristol, ensuring the facility is bustling with activity daily.
His brother, Armando, holds a similar position in Boca Raton, Florida, reinforcing a family legacy of commitment to racquet sports and community engagement.
Building More Than Just Athletes: Creating Smiles and Energy
For Ferreira, the role goes beyond coaching or organizing events. He sees his work as a gift to those who walk through the doors. “The people that come here, they don’t come here to learn pickleball or tennis. They come here to share one hour of their lives with myself and the gift is learning pickleball or tennis,” he explains.
He emphasizes the importance of fostering a welcoming environment where players can escape the stresses of daily life, enjoy themselves, and connect with others. “What they want here is a smile and energy. That is what they want, they don’t have this during the day. They are rushing, they are working so here they have somewhere where they can feel well and be smiling.”
This philosophy underscores Ferreira’s approach to managing the Sportsplex and the Veolia Bristol Open, aiming to make the event not only competitive but also joyful and community-driven.
News in Brief: 2025 Bristol Sportsplex Pickleball Tournament
As the Veolia Bristol Open returns to Bristol Sportsplex this August, the Tri-Cities can anticipate a world-class pickleball tournament set in a facility designed to inspire and engage players and fans alike. With a dedicated leader like Eduardo Ferreira at the helm and a community eager to embrace the sport, the 2025 event is poised to surpass its successful debut.
The fusion of elite competition, top-tier pickleball facilities, and a welcoming environment offers a promising future for pickleball in Bristol. For players and spectators, the event represents more than a tournament—it’s a celebration of sport, community, and the spirit of connection that pickleball uniquely fosters.
ALSO READ: How a Golf and Pickleball Tournament Is Powering a New Era for Women in Construction