THE SCOOP
USA Pickleball News & Notes
USA Pickleball Serves Announces‘ Play it Forward’ Grant Program
USA Pickleball Serves announced that the Play it Forward grant program is now open. This is the first monetary grant program offered by USA Pickleball Serves.
“ USA Pickleball Serves’ Play it Forward Grant was developed to support community organizations invested in creating more places to play in underserved communities and heavily populated player communities,” said Brenda Puga, USA Pickleball’ s director of community relations.
Two community organizations will receive $ 50,000 to fund a pickleball court installation or conversion. Applications will be reviewed by the USA Pickleball Serves Grant Committee and announced on National Pickleball Day( Aug. 8).
Organizations must be applying for a specific pickleball location in the United States or its territories, have a physical office or presence in the local giving area, and must be aligned with one of USAP Serves’ core commitments.
To be considered for the grant, organizations must meet the following pre-qualifying requirements:
• The pickleball court( s) must be installed in a public facility.
• The pickleball court( s) must be permanent dedicated court( s) for the sport of pickleball.
• The pickleball court( s) must be installed and open for play within 12 months of receiving funds.
• A project lead must work with a local USA Pickleball Ambassador or USA Pickleball Serves committee member for support and to provide updates.
• The pickleball court( s) must have permanent branding recognition for USA Pickleball Serves and host an unveiling event to include a ribbon cutting ceremony.
For a full list of grant qualifications, please see usapickleball. org / grants.
offer participants an unrivaled player experience, and the opportunity to compete at some of the best pickleball venues across the country.
Remaining Golden Ticket tournaments where athletes can qualify for the 2025 USA Pickleball National Championships, to be held Nov. 15-23 in San Diego: May 21-25: APP New York City Open( New York, N. Y.)
May 28 – June 1: USA Pickleball Golden Ticket at Greensboro( Greensboro, N. C.)
May 28 – June 2: UTR Sports St. George Open( St. George, Utah)
June 25-29: UTR Sports California Pickleball Championships( Campbell, Calif.)
July 1-6: APP Newport Beach Open( Newport, Calif.)
July 9-13: USA Pickleball Golden Ticket at Colorado Springs( Colorado Springs, Colo.)
NEW! Aug. 13-17: APP Great Lakes Open( Midland, Mich.) – Golden Ticket qualifier for 2026 USA Pickleball National Championships
USA Pickleball Expands Golden Ticket Schedule
USA Pickleball recently updated the 2025 Golden Ticket schedule. Golden Ticket tournaments provide a path for amateur players to play in the USA Pickleball National Championships.
As featured tournaments where bracket winners earn priority registration access to Nationals, Golden Tickets
56 TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL 412.914.8294 OR GO TO PICKLEBALLMAGAZINE. COM