National Mall of Pickleball returned for another year, bringing America’s most popular multi-generational sport to America’s Front Yard. On September 27-29, players of all ages experienced pickleball against iconic backdrops like the Washington Monument, celebrating the unique way that pickleball connects us all.
National Mall of Pickleball expanded on the immense success experienced at the inaugural event in 2023. This year’s event brought pickleball players across all generations, ages and skill levels together on the court with reserved court times, walk-on open play, and pickleball clinics with D.C. Pickleball team members Dekel Bar, James Ignatowich, Vivian Glozman and Rachel Rohrabacher.
There were also a series of tournaments including the highly anticipated Media Match on center court to determine which newsroom reigned supreme. The Washington Post defended their title for the second year in a row, defeating the Sports Junkies of 106.7 The Fan. Players and spectators also enjoyed Senior x Senior Doubles showcasing high school seniors and parents or senior-aged adults, and Pickle Madness, which featured D.C.-area college students and alumni. Saturday’s events concluded with the Ultimate Duos competition, which brought together six pairs of players from across the US who shared inspiring stories of how pickleball fostered intergenerational connections and friendships.
With a focus on creating unforgettable experiences for pickleball enthusiasts, Pickleball Den software was selected to manage the reserved court times, clinics, and tournament play. ”We are thankful to the Trust for the National Mall for hosting this one-of-a-kind event in a truly spectacular environment,” said event manager Larry Kilcullen. “We had an incredible response from players and Pickleball Den made sure all events ran seamlessly. ” To learn more about Pickleball Den visit www.pickleballden.com.
Thanks to Humana and the Trust for the National Mall, National Mall of Pickleball was completely free of charge. The response from pickleball players was overwhelming with interest from over 1,000 players and over 400 registrations within the first 45 minutes of reservations being open.
In addition to amateur pickleball events, players and spectators enjoyed a cooking “In the Kitchen” segment featuring D.C.-area students, Humana Foundation CEO Tiffany Benjamin, James Beard Award-winning chef Carlos Rabas, and Michelin-starred chef Adam Howard. The D.C. Pickleball Team highlighted their talents with a Pro Showcase and Play with a Pro time on center court.
National Mall of Pickleball was certainly “One for the Ages,” celebrating the unique way that pickleball connects players across all generations. For more information on National Mall of Pickleball and the Trust for the National Mall visit https://nationalmall.org/pickleball.
