The Trust for the National Mall and Humana have announced details for the National Mall Pickleball Festival, a free 3-day event running from Sept. 19–21 in Washington, D.C. The festival will feature 11 pop-up courts on the National Mall, offering nearly 250 hours of open play for all skill levels.
This year’s theme, Moves That Serve, highlights the sport’s community-building and wellness benefits while celebrating public spaces ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. Programming includes In the Kitchen on Sept. 19, featuring healthy recipes curated by the Humana Foundation and Emeril Lagasse Foundation, plus a Pro Pickler Showcase on Sept. 21, with exhibitions from Association of Pickleball Players athletes and local D.C. teams.
Through Aug. 15, participants can enter the Ultimate Duo Challenge for a chance to win a trip for two to D.C., including airfare, hotel stays, and a spot in the tournament. Eight winning pairs will receive roundtrip flights, 2-night accommodations, a $500 travel stipend and a $100 Uber gift card.
Court reservations open Sept. 10 at noon ET on the National Mall website.
The Pickleball Heard Round the World
Several hotels in the Caribbean and Europe have recently added pickleball courts to meet growing demand for the sport. In the Caribbean, Sandals and Beaches Resorts have significantly expanded their pickleball offerings across multiple properties. Sandals South Coast in Jamaica opened four new courts in March 2024, while Sandals Royal Curaçao debuted eight courts in February 2024. Beaches Turks & Caicos added two courts in April 2024 as part of its resort upgrades. Pickleball enthusiasts can also find brand-new, professional-quality courts across Palladium Group’s Caribbean and Mexican properties.
Elsewhere in the region, The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos launched two courts in May 2024, and Malliouhana, Auberge Resorts Collection in Anguilla introduced a new court in June 2024.
In Europe, the Marbella Club in Spain debuted pickleball facilities in July 2024, while the Four Seasons Resort Costa Navarino in Greece completed its courts in April 2024.
For more information, visit nationalmall.org.
