Greensboro Pickleball Tournament: Greensboro, North Carolina, will host its first major pickleball event from Wednesday, May 28, to Sunday, June 1, 2025. The city’s Special Events Center will hold a USA Pickleball Golden Ticket tournament, a key qualifier for the national championships. This marks Greensboro’s step into big-time pickleball.
Pickleball Comes to “Tournament Town”
Greensboro, known as “Tournament Town,” is adding another sport to its list. While it no longer hosts the Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball tournament, it’s gaining ground in the fast-growing pickleball sport. The new event highlights the city’s efforts to remain a top spot for national sports.
Pickleball has grown quickly across the country, especially among older adults. With its rising popularity, the Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau has taken action by investing in equipment to make the city a top pickleball location.
The event at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex will be held indoors using special portable courts. These courts can be used in any season, helping the city host games year-round.
What Officials Are Saying
Henri Fourrier, President and CEO of the Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, shared his excitement on Wednesday, May 7.
“We are always looking for the next big thing to help Tournament Town grow and evolve. The addition of pickleball to our lineup of championship events is a natural fit. This tournament puts Greensboro on the national stage once again and highlights our commitment to staying ahead of the game in the world of sports tourism.” – (Fourrier)
Mike Nealy, CEO of USA Pickleball, also praised the city.
“Greensboro has seen tremendous pickleball growth in recent years. The Greensboro Coliseum Complex is one of the largest pickleball facilities in the US and we’re excited to play there. Any city known as Tournament Town is where we want to be, and we look forward to welcoming athletes aiming for the national stage.” – (Nealy)
Richard Beard, President of the Greensboro Sports Foundation and a candidate for Greensboro City Council, said the move strengthens the city’s sports image.
“With pickleball being the fastest growing sport in the US today, Greensboro is taking a bold position in the purchase of these pickleball courts to host these large events indoors. It also shows the flexibility of our Coliseum Complex to be able to have 32 courts indoors at different times year-round. Tournament Town will become a national leader in pickleball, just like we have done in swimming, soccer, and basketball!” – (Richard Beard)
Community and Economic Impact
The Golden Ticket tournament is open to all players, regardless of age or skill level. Registration is now open at usapickleball.org/goldenticket/Greensboro and closes on Sunday, May 18.
The Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau expects about 1,200 players and 2,500 visitors to attend. Officials say the event could bring in more than $2 million for the local economy.
In 2023, travel and tourism brought in around $1.7 billion in Guilford County and supported more than 11,000 jobs, according to a study by Tourism Economics for Visit North Carolina.
The event may also lead to national TV coverage, though that wasn’t confirmed. Pickleball now appears on channels like PickleTV and Pickleball Channel, and sports networks like CBS Sports and ESPN are starting to air more events.
Even local rumors show the sport’s reach. Some say former Rhino Times Owner and Editor John Hammer left the paper to focus on his love for pickleball.
News in Brief: Greensboro Pickleball Tournament
Greensboro will host its first USA Pickleball Golden Ticket tournament from May 28 to June 1, 2025, at the Greensboro Special Events Center. The event is expected to bring over 1,000 players and a $2 million boost to the local economy. Registration closes on May 18.
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