Pickleball riding high as championships come to San Diego for first time

It was in 1965 – 60 years ago this year – that pickleball, a cross between tennis and
badminton, was invented in Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Since then, the once-niche activity has grown into a global sport that continues to find new fans and participants. And thousands of those players and fans are convening in San Diego for the 2025 USA Pickleball National Championships beginning Saturday at Barnes Tennis Center in Point Loma.

The USA Pickleball championships, now in its 17th year, is the longest-running such event in the pickleball world, according to the organization, and it’s making its San Diego debut.

“We’ve had it everywhere from Arizona to Texas, we’ve had it in Palm Springs, but (it’s the) first time in San Diego,” USA Pickleball spokesman Jose Moreno said. “We don’t take our location decisions lightly. We do a lot of research, a lot of due diligence comes with it. We started the investigative period, if you will, right after our national (championships) last year.”

What put San Diego over the top after officials “toured many cities across the country, many venues,” as Moreno said?

“Couple of things that stood out to us about San Diego: one, you can’t beat the weather. Where else do you want to be in November?” he said. “Sixty degrees, beautiful palm trees. Look at the scenery – we’re right around the corner from the beach.”

(There’s a wrinkle in those plans – heavy rain is in the forecast – but Moreno said matches will go on, rain or shine, Saturday, though there might be some delays.)

The second thing that stood out, Moreno said, was the amenities that the city has to offer.

“You gotta remember: this isn’t just a tournament that locals play in. In fact, 90%-plus (of participants) come from out of market. We wanna make sure there’s good hotels, we wanna make sure there’s good restaurants, we wanna make sure there’s good activities.”

“Because many individuals are planning their vacation around this tournament, and so if we can come and make a big economic impact, what other place than San Diego?” he continued. “You’ve got the zoo right there, you’ve got the beaches, you’ve got the hotels, the restaurants, so many great things people can do while they’re here.”

About 2,500 athletes are expected to compete in this year’s event, including roughly 1,000 professional players. The others are amateurs who have won lower-level tournaments.

This year, participants are coming from 47 states, as well as 20 countries, with the oldest player being 87 and the youngest 11, according to Pickleball USA data.

Last year’s event, held in Mesa, Arizona, contributed $3.6 million to the local economy, according to USA Pickleball.

“Our hope and goal is to exceed that (this year in San Diego),” Moreno said. “We’re confident in (doing) that.”

Barnes Tennis Center, well known for its tennis events, also is home to 24 dedicated pickleball courts. The center’s owned and operated by Youth Tennis San Diego, a (501)(c)(3) nonprofit that aims to help children and teens develop physically, mentally, emotionally, educationally and socially through tennis.

And in conjunction with the organization’s mission, USA Pickleball on Monday is expected to
unveil new youth-oriented pickleball courts at the site in conjunction with the tennis center and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater San Diego.

“It’s going to provide free pickleball for kids in the area,” Moreno said. “You wanna come out, you wanna learn pickleball, you wanna get formal coaching? Come on out, it’s not gonna cost you a thing.”

Kids who attend will receive their own set of pickleball equipment and a T-shirt.

“We’re going to have a great time,” Moreno said.