National Pickleball Championship: The excitement is noticeable as the National Pickleball League (NPL) gears up for its second annual Championship Weekend, taking place from Friday through Sunday at the Pickleball Lodge in West Chester Township. 12 competitive pickleball teams will gather to battle for supremacy in this thrilling pickleball event, showing the growing popularity of pickleball.
Top Teams Ready to Compete
Seeding for the pickleball championship will be based on regular season standings, with the top four pickleball teams receiving coveted first-round byes. The leading teams are the Boca Raton Picklers, Columbus Hotshots, Houston Hammers, and Denver Iconics. Rounding out the competition are the Austin Ignite, Coachella Valley Scorpions, Indy Drivers, Kansas City Stingers, Naples JBB United, OKC Punishers, Princeton Bruisers, and Seattle United Pickleball.
With a $150,000 prize pool on the line, the stakes are high. Teams will not only compete for cash prizes but also for the prestigious Sterling Cut Glass trophy that accompanies the pickleball championship.
Global Talent on Display
“Our champion professional players come from around the world – Brazil, Europe, Asia.” said Paul Bamundo, the league’s chief executive officer. Each team boasts a roster of 14 to 16 players, with an equal number of men and women. All competitors are aged 50 and older, adding a unique dynamic to the pickleball tournament.
This year’s event marks the second time the recently expanded Pickleball Lodge has hosted a major competition. Last July, the pickleball facility held one of the league’s monthly events, running from May through September.
Community Support and Entertainment
Paul Bamundo highlighted the community’s warm reception, stating,
“(Players) love (the) area so much. They raved about the facility, area hotels, and restaurants. We needed to come back.” – (Paul Bamundo)
The pickleball tournament is free to the public and will be live-streamed on the league’s YouTube page at National Pickleball League. CBS will also be on-site, filming a two-hour special scheduled to air at 7 p.m. on December 3.
Matches will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The format will feature doubles play, with options for women, men, or mixed teams. Each morning and afternoon, four teams will compete, resulting in semi-final games on Saturday afternoon and finals on Sunday morning.
In addition to the fierce competition, a bracket challenge will serve as a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, supporting breast cancer research and assistance.
“There are about a half-dozen women who are breast cancer survivors playing, and we’re doing it as a breast cancer awareness fundraiser. It’s fun to predict who you think will win.” Paul Bamundo added, highlighting the event’s commitment to a worthy cause.
News in Brief: National Pickleball Championship
The National Pickleball League’s Championship Weekend kicks off in West Chester Township from Friday to Sunday, featuring 12 pickleball teams competing for a share of a $150,000 prize pool. The top four teams, including the Boca Raton Picklers and Columbus Hotshots, will enjoy first-round byes.
Pickleball matches will be live-streamed, and CBS will film a special episode. The event, open to the public, also includes a bracket challenge benefiting the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer awareness.
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