Pickleball in central Virginia is booming. Between a growing number of pickleball clubs, numerous tournaments, and a number of dedicated pickleball courts, there is no shortage of places to play for pickleball players in the region.
Pickleball in Central Virginia
Pickleball is growing fast in central Virginia. Local station NBC 29 addressed the growth in 2022, saying pickleball is “exploding” in central Virginia and citing the many tournaments, pickleball courts, and players in the region. Officials in Henrico County, Virginia, announced in 2022 a plan to spend $2.2 million to add 12 new pickleball courts to a local park due to the sport’s popularity.
Pickleball Courts
The Club at Glenmore
The Club at Glenmore offers some of the nicest racquet sport facilities in the region. Just east of Charlottesville in Keswick, the Club at Glenmore has four dedicated pickleball courts (and nine tennis courts!). With three dedicated racquet professionals, this is a fantastic place for beginners and seasoned pickleball players alike. There is no open play here. Players must secure a racquet membership at The Club at Glenmore to play.
Darden Towe Courts
The Darden Towe pickleball courts are a success story for the central Virginia pickleball community. The Central Virginia Pickleball Club fully funded the transition of two tennis courts into six outdoor courts for pickleball. To join a game here, check out playtimescheduler.com, a commonly used website for pickleball players looking for a game. The courts are also available for open play on a first-come, first-served basis.
Boar’s Head Sports Club
The Boar’s Head Resort in Charlottesville offers four outdoor courts that can be used by guests and members alike. The resort also offers equipment rentals. Open play is available three times a week: Wednesdays 6pm-8pm, and weekend mornings 9am-11am.
The Greencroft Club
For $50 a month, you can become a racquet member at the Greencroft Club in Albermarle County. This gives you unlimited access to one of the region’s only dedicated pickleball courts, as well as the chance to bring a guest twice a month for a small fee.
YMCA of Central Virginia
YMCA facilities in Lynchburg offer pickleball play sessions. These are free for members but also available to guests for a small fee. The play sessions are as follows:
Downtown YMCA: Tuesday/Thursday/Friday (1pm-4pm)
Jameson YMCA: Monday/Wednesday/Thursday/Saturday (8am-11am)
Pickleball Clubs & Organizations
If you’re new to the central Virginia area and looking for a game or are just starting out and not sure where to begin, the best place to contact is the Central Virginia Pickleball Club.
The Central Virginia Pickleball Club acts as the hub for pickleball players in the region. Not only did they get the Darden Towe courts built, they’ve also collated all the information a pickleball player could need into one easy to find location:
- Local play opportunities
- Upcoming tournaments
- Pickleball equipment stores
Pickleball Tournaments
Richmond Pickleball Classic
A WPT (World Pickleball Tour) event, the Richmond Pickleball Classic follows the same format as other events sanctioned by the WPT. With doubles and singles events and a small cash prize, this is a great event for amateurs looking for a well-organized tournament.
Virginia Beach Open
A short drive for central Virginia pickleballers, the Virginia Beach Open offers an impressive purse of up to $50,000. The tournament includes doubles, singles, men’s, and women’s competitions, all divided by skill levels to ensure everyone gets a fair game.
Pickleball Lessons
If you’re a beginner looking to get started with pickleball lessons, getting in touch with the Central Virginia Pickleball Club would be a great place to start. They’re looped into the pickleball community in the area and can steer you toward a good coach.
Many other organizations offer pickleball lessons. Becoming a member of a club like the Club at Glenmore, the Greencroft Club, or the Boar’s Head Sports Resort will give you access to their in-house professionals.
The Charlottesville ACAC has some great beginner options for pickleball. With drop-in open play sessions alongside skill-developing clinics, the ACAC is a great place to learn.
