It’s a great time to be a pickleball fan if you’re a resident of New Orleans or live close by. The Big Easy hosts two pickleball events in August – the Big Easy Pickleball Tournament and the Nola Pickleball Fest.
The Big Easy Pickleball Tournament
Now in its sixth year, the tournament is set to welcome over 400 players from August 4th to 6th at the Health Club by Hilton, located at 2 Poydras Street. The club itself is on the sixth floor of the parking garage.
This three-day event caters to various skill levels and age groups, accommodating men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles competitions. With many of the region’s top-ranked players participating, spectators are in for a treat of high-level competition.
Though registration is closed for players, spectators are warmly encouraged to attend, free of charge, to witness the exciting matches and learn more about the sport.
The Vibrant City Of New Orleans
Moreover, the tournament offers out-of-town participants the chance to explore the vibrant city of New Orleans, taking advantage of everything it has to offer. Whether enjoying the local cuisine, exploring the rich culture, or experiencing the lively music scene, there’s something for everyone in the Big Easy.
Helen Siegel, a member of the organizing team, said, “The Big Easy Pickleball Tournament has always been a volunteer-driven event, with all proceeds being donated to local nonprofits who are passionate about providing sports opportunities to those who have less access and fewer opportunities.
“As the sport grows, so does our tournament and outreach to the community.”
The Big Easy Pickleball Tournament sponsors include Southern Eagle and Michelob Ultra, Head Pickleball, Fleur de Lis Catering, Picnic Provisions & Whiskey, Craving NOLA, the Exchange Pickleball + Bar, Sara Siegel Designs, and Corporate Realty.
Timetable
The tournament schedule is as follows:
Friday, August 4
Community Outreach with The 18th Ward (details to follow)
6:30pm – 9pm: Check-in, Open Play and Social
Saturday, August 5
Men’s and Women’s Doubles Day
7:30 am: Check In
8:30 am: Play Begins
Sunday, August 6
Mixed Doubles Day
7:30am: Check In
8:30am: Play Begins
NOLA Pickleball Fest Benefiting The Brees Dream Foundation
The NOLA Pickleball Fest benefitting the Brees Dream Foundation is a unique, festival-style pickleball tournament featuring 24 tournament-quality PickleRoll courts, live music, a celebrity exhibition match featuring Drew Brees, VIP experiences, and much more.
The festival runs from August 10-13. It will be held at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, which contains the largest exhibit hall in the U.S. It is located at 900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130.
Registration is now closed, with 537 players having signed up.
Three Round-Robin Divisions
There will be three divisions of round-robin play: Women’s doubles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles for skill levels 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, and 5.0+, and two brackets to compete in: Open & 40+ years old.
Feature matches will take place on an impressive center court with grandstand seating as well as Kern Studio Mardi Gras floats for VIP viewing.
Tournament Schedule
Here is an outline of the tournament schedule:
Ladies Doubles
The first rounds will take place on Friday, August 11th, and the second ones on Saturday, August 12th.
| Bracket | Round #1 | Round #2 |
| 3.0 OPEN; 4.0+ OPEN | 8am | 4:15pm |
| 3.5 50+ | 8am | Noon |
| 3.5 OPEN | 8am | 2:30pm |
| 3.0 50-57 | 9:45am | 2:30pm |
| 3.0 58+ | 9:45am | 4:15pm |
Men’s Doubles
The first rounds will take place on Thursday, August 10th, and the second ones on Saturday, August 12th.
| Bracket | Round #1 | Round #2 |
| 3.0 50+; 3.0 15-33; 3.0 34+ | 1pm | 8am |
| 3.5 50+; 4.0 OPEN | 2:45pm | 11am |
| 3.5 10-30 | 2:45pm | 12:45pm |
| 3.5 31+ | 4:30pm | 11am |
| 4.0 50+; 4.5 OPEN; 5.0 OPEN | 4:30pm | 12:45pm |
Mixed
The first rounds will take place on Friday, August 11th, and the second ones on Saturday, August 13th.
| Bracket | Round #1 | Round #2 |
|---|---|---|
| 4.5+ | 9:45am | 8am |
| 3.5 34+ | 11.30am | 9:45am |
| 4.0 50+; 4.0 OPEN | 11.30am | 8am |
| 30 37+; 3.5 13-33 | 1:15pm | 9:45am |
| 3.0 50-58 | 1:15pm | 11:30am |
| 3.5 50+ | 3pm | 9:45am |
| 3.0 59+; 3.0 10-36 | 3pm | 11:30am |
The Brees Dream Foundation
Brittany and Drew Brees created the NOLA Pickleball Fest. Brees and the staff of the Brees Dream Foundation worked closely with local tourism leaders at the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, New Orleans, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and New Orleans & Company, as well as national companies Joola and The Kitchen, to organize all aspects of the event.
PickleRoll
PickleRoll is a pickleball court manufacturer that describes its product as temporary, semi-permanent, and permanent indoor/outdoor pickleball courts with industry-standard professional surfaces.
You can also read some other of our great articles about pickleball in New Orleans and Louisiana.
Click here for news of other upcoming tournaments.
