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in Pickleball by DREW WATHEY
Miami to Host Largest Pickleball Festival in the World !
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As if the sport of pickleball needed to get any bigger — or more popular for that matter — Steve Suarez , founder of BlackStage Productions and the fitness festival Wodapalooza , is putting together what is being billed as the “ largest pickleball festival in the world .”
Being held at Miami ’ s Marine Stadium January 13 & 14 , The Pickle Games will feature 100 bayfront courts situated on the stadium grounds . A Stadium Court will also be erected with seating for 1,000 while another court is planned to be placed on an anchored barge .
“ Last January , I started playing pickleball and fell in love with the sport ,” said Suarez . “ I researched the sport , tournaments , and gettogethers and realized there was a gap in our marketplace for a largescale , palooza-type event . So , now we ’ re doing it .”
Doing it is an understatement . Set against the beautiful views of Biscayne Bay , Suarez also plans to enlist the use of smoke machines , LED lighting and other special effects . Add VIP lounges , live musical performances , food vendors , and boutiques with tournament merchandise . “ This is going to be a truly unique experience , and we are ecstatic it is happening ,” he added . “ It will be held in an iconic and perfect place , and it will be focused on the folks out there who are playing pickleball every day . I hope they enjoy it .”
The two-day event anticipates hosting 800 professional and amateur teams and hopes to attract upward of 5,000 attendees daily . For Pickle Games participants , there will be a 5,000-square-foot Athletes Village complete with physical therapists , hydration stations , and social media outlets .
There will also be tournaments for doubles and mixed doubles teams across numerous age divisions . According to Suarez , there will be a pro division , and the event may eventually partner with a professional organization to draw international talent . “ The Pickle Games Miami is a festival and tournament founded to bridge that gap between the competitive pickleballers and first-timers , as well as the general public looking to have a high-energy weekend .”
Player registration is open and priced at $ 400 per team , which includes entry to the tournament , commemorative merchandise , and access to the Athletes Village and grounds all weekend .
For more information , check out the tournament ’ s website at thepicklegames . com . •
14 TO SUBSCRIBE , CALL 412.914.8294 OR GO TO PICKLEBALLMAGAZINE . COM