Major League Pickleball Columbus Tournament: This weekend, Major League Pickleball is hosting the 2025 MLP Columbus in Ohio, where more than 1,000 fans of all ages are expected. The tournament is being held at the Pickle and Chill recreational center, which is designed specifically for pickleball. Fans will have the chance to watch top players compete at a high level.
A Growing Sport with Broad Appeal
Amy Bokker, operating partner of Pickle and Chill, highlighted the unique appeal of pickleball, noting that it draws fans from all generations.
“What I love about pickleball is it’s very generational, so we’ll get fans that are older all the way through young kids cheering on their athletic heroes in the sport.” – (Amy Bokker)
Bokker also praised the high-speed, competitive nature of the game, saying it makes for exciting spectating.
“I’ve had the opportunity to watch these athletes compete, and it really is such a high-level, fast pace game which makes for great spectating.” – (Amy Bokker)
Pickleball’s Rapid Growth
Fernando Esquivel, the director of operations for the Columbus Sliders, talked about how the sport has expanded since Major League Pickleball began in 2021. Initially, tournaments were held in public parks, but now the sport is growing with venues designed for larger events.
“Now we’ve grown to the point where we’re building out venues such as this one where you have huge stands, huge environments, that fans really have somewhere to sit watch and enjoy.” – (Fernando Esquivel)
Top Players and Exciting Matches
The tournament this weekend features nine premier professional teams and around 300 players, including Zoey Weil from Columbus. Weil is a standout player who alternates between teams in Major League Pickleball.
“It’s super exciting to play pickleball professionally. You’re always in a new city, a new venue. This week we’re in Columbus, Ohio, which is super fun. It’s constantly a really good time playing a game you love, earning money, getting to see new places is just such a blessing.” – (Zoey Weil)
Fan Excitement and Broadcast Details
Fans of the sport are expected to be highly engaged during the event. Esquivel described the atmosphere, saying,
“The fans are just at the edge of their seat. They get loud. They get rowdy. The stands will be filling up. We’re super excited. The players love seeing them here.” – (Fernando Esquivel)
If you can’t make it to the event, it will be broadcast live on Pickle TV.
Professional Pickleball Players’ Background
Many professional pickleball players come from a tennis background. Some of the top players can earn up to $1 million annually. The sport has gained significant attention and continues to grow as more people discover it.
News in Brief: Major League Pickleball Columbus Tournament
Major League Pickleball is hosting the 2025 MLP Columbus in Ohio, this weekend, attracting over 1,000 fans. The event features 300 players and is broadcast live on Pickle TV. The sport has grown rapidly since its 2021 debut, with players earning up to $1 million annually.
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