MORE THAN 1,450 PLAYERS TO COMPETE AT ASSOCIATION OF PICKLEBALL PLAYERS TOURNAMENT MARCH 6-10 IN ROSEVILLE
America’s fastest-growing sport returns to Placer Valley for a five-day tournament featuring professional and amateur players at the Johnson Ranch Sports Club
ROSEVILLE, Calif. -- The Association of Pickleball Players returns to Placer Valley with a major tournament for the third consecutive year, with players competing March 6-10 at the Johnson Ranch Sports Club in Roseville.
More than 1,450 pickleball players, from amateurs at various levels to professionals who earn a living from the sport, are expected to participate in the APP Sacramento Open. About 1,000 players competed in the Roseville tournament in 2023.
Daily matches start at 8 a.m. and continue into the evening Wednesday (March 6) through Sunday (March 10) at Johnson Ranch Sports Club, 2600 Eureka Road.
Hundreds of matches will be played daily on the 40-plus pickleball courts, including a center court for championship rounds. Amateurs and professional players will compete in singles, doubles and mixed-doubles matches.
Tickets are $15 per day and available online at https://www.sitickets.com/app.
“It’s non-stop action,” said Tom Webb, APP Chief Marketing Officer. “You will see the top players in the world.”
MORE THAN 1,500 FANS EXPECTED TO WATCH THE TOURNAMENT; ESPN+ TO STREAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
At least 1,500 fans are expected to attend the five-day tournament, serving a $2.5 million economic impact for Placer Valley, as players and fans stay in area hotels and enjoy meals in restaurants. ESPN+, the streaming version of the sports network giant, is scheduled to broadcast the championship matches.
“It’s hard to believe how much pickleball and the tournament has grown in such a short period,” said Kim Summers, CEO of Placer Valley Tourism and @the Grounds. “Placer Valley will be the center of the pickleball world.”
Professionals will play for points and $100,000 in prize money. The APP Sacramento Open is also one of five APP Golden ticket tournaments that guarantees winners an automatic spot in the 2024 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships.
“It’s a very special event,” said Samantha Martinez, Pickleball Director for Spare Time Sports Clubs, owner of the Johnson Ranch Sports Club. “You’re right up close, seeing pro-level action.”
The APP Sacramento Open also allows amateurs – from elementary school-aged athletes to those 75 years and older – to compete and “prove themselves” against similar-skilled players and earn medals for top finishers, Webb said.
PICKLEBALL, ANYONE? EVERYONE?
Pickleball has become the nation’s fastest-growing sport, with more than 50 million adults playing at least once during the past year, according to the APP. The Sports Fitness Industry Association estimates pickleball participation has increased almost 160% during the past three years.
“Pickleball has a place for everyone,” Webb said. “So many people are excited to come out and learn how to play.”
The sport – a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis (also known as ping-pong) – became popular during the peak of the COVID pandemic and continues to surge. Pickleball is wildly popular in the Sacramento region, thanks to a combination of mild weather and many public and private courts.
“We have a very vibrant pickleball community that brings people together and is a good way to connect,” said Martinez, adding that some Spare Time Sports Clubs members will compete in the tournament. “People are intrigued by the sport and want to reach the next level.”
Pickleball players enjoy the camaraderie of the sport – pick-up matches are common at many pickleball courts – and the never-ending challenge to improve their skills.
“Pickleball is easy to learn, but it’s very hard to master,” said Martinez, a former softball player who started with pickleball several years ago. “It’s like a chess match, a game of strategy.”
About Placer Valley Tourism
Placer Valley Tourism is a Business Improvement District that serves South Placer County and the cities of Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln. The BID operates to help generate incremental room night stays in hotels within Placer Valley Tourism’s geographic footprint through various conferences and youth and amateur sports events. PVT aims to coordinate community and sports events with the best hospitality options in the region. Placer Valley Tourism is a nonprofit and classified as a 501(c)6. For more information, please visit https://www.placertourism.com/.