Happy New Year, everyone! Now is the time to hit 2023 running.
When it comes to your everyday pickleball players and the best tournament on the planet, there is nothing but gold when talking to players about participating in the US Open held in Naples, Florida, April 15-22, 2023.
Why Is This Event So Special?
- Anyone can enter! No qualifying event is needed.
- This event is held at the pickleball Mecca, East Naples Community Park, which has hosted the event dating back to 2016.
- They (The event founders) dub it “…the largest pickleball tournament in the world combined with the biggest pickleball party in the world, all set in a beautiful outdoor paradise.”
- The event started as a grassroots event riding the pickleball popularity wave.
- Margaritaville sponsors the event.
Tennis Now wowed that last year’s event (2022) attracted “… a record 25,000 spectators and 2,800-plus players from 49 states and 30 countries, ranging in age from 8 to 87. Players played more than 5,000 matches….”
In addition to fabulous pickleball, this unique event uses its platform to do extraordinary things. One such thing is that 100% of the funds raised through parking are donated.
“All proceeds will go to the Kiwanis ‘Christmas in July’ program to give students who are homeless or at risk of being homeless in Collier County the necessities, so they have the opportunity to focus on their schoolwork.”
Didn’t Win the Lottery? –Watch the Action
If you weren’t one of the lucky lottery winners, that shouldn’t stop you from soaking in the sun and fun pickleball action.
VIP experiences are available for purchase, highly coveted, and already sold out, but there is good news. General admission to the event is FREE. You read that right. Go and watch some of the nonstop pickleball action consuming 60 courts for eight straight days.
What To Know About Registering
Registration for this event is held by lottery and requires registering for the lottery between January 2-6, 2023.
The lottery winners will be notified of winning a coveted opportunity to play in The Open by January 20, 2023.
Payment is due by January 24, 2023. If unpaid, the lottery winner will automatically forfeit their spot, and those opening will be filled by alternates during the last week of January 2023.
Can’t Make It – It’s “Open” All Year
When not hosting the largest pickleball party in the world, the park is known for friendly players, gathering daily throughout the year, and even includes a pickleball pro shop. If you don’t have a chance to attend The Open, make time to go to Naples when it is convenient for you. It doesn’t matter when. The experience won’t disappoint if you are an aficionado of pickleball and/or beautiful beaches.
The Open transforms the park into a facility that becomes the world showcase for all levels of pickleball for eight spectacular days, but the other 357 days are available for the general public at all playing levels. It is something that must be experienced to be fully appreciated.
Oh, and have a pup that loves to journey with you to play? Dogs are welcome. This is likely a massive draw to professional Zane Navratil, who is never far from his BFF Murray.
