Newport Beach To Host Pickleball Championships Qualifier This Week

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Pickleball players of all skill levels will descend on Newport Beach from Tuesday to Sunday as part of the Consumer Cellular USA Pickleball National Championships.

Around 1,500 professional and amateur athletes are expected to hit the courts at the Tennis and Pickleball Club at Newport Beach as part of the qualifying event for the national championships.

Winners in the professional and amateur categories will go on to play at the national tournament, which will be at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in November, USA Pickleball said. Professional players have the chance to win a $65,000 prize.

Pickleball combines elements of badminton and tennis. The sport uses a badminton-sized court that can be indoors or outdoors.

Players use small, hand-held paddles to hit a plastic ball with holes over a net.

USA Pickleball said it will broadcast the tournament through YouTube, FTF and ESPN+.

For more information, visit USA Pickleball's website.