North Texas has captured yet another California transplant.
USA Pickleball announced Thursday that it will move its national championship from southern California to Farmers Branch in November.
The nine-day tournament is expected to draw some 3,500 amateur and professional players and 25,000 spectators to Farmers Branch, making it the world’s largest-ever pickleball tournament.
Athletes will compete for more than $150,000 in prize money at the tournament, hosted by USA Pickleball and Carvana Professional Pickleball Association.
Often described as a cross of tennis, ping pong and badminton, pickleball is considered one of the hottest and fastest-growing sports in the U.S. Roughly 14% of American adults, or 36.5 million people, played at least once in 2022, according to a study commissioned by the Association of Pickleball Professionals.
In a prepared statement, lead investor and Dallas billionaire Tom Dundon said the championship will be the “biggest pickleball party in the world.”
Before selecting a new location, USA Pickleball sought bids from multiple cities, and a bid from the Dallas Sports Commission emerged as a leader, the organization said in a statement. North Texas was selected thanks in part to its central location and the prime facilities at Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch.
The party will extend beyond the courts. The street outside Brookhaven will be designated Pickleball Boulevard with live music, family friendly activities and a “Taste of Pickle” exhibit with food and beverage vendors.
As pickleball surges, cities and businesses are building courts to cash in on the popularity. Athletes and celebrities, including Mark Cuban and LeBron James, have invested in professional teams and leagues.
Pickleball was invented in 1965 by two families from Washington state, and it was named after a family dog, Pickles.
Last year, Southlake announced that it’s building a $3.4 million pickleball complex that it calls the “Taj Mahal of pickleball.”
Several Chicken N Pickles have opened around North Texas, including Grapevine and Grand Prairie, with more on the way. The restaurants bring together food, drinks and pickleball.
