Is Pickleball Your Thing? Then the Beer City Open is One Cool Event!

Pickleball is so popular now that more and more courts are opening up around town. There is even a new one on the roof of the Amway Grand Plaza! Okay, not 27-stories up, but above the main lobby.

What is Pickleball?

People are really getting into the game that is a combination of many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It's played both indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net. It's played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. It's played as doubles or singles. And, the great thing about the game is all ages and all skill levels can play.

The Beer City Open Comes to Grand Rapids' Belknap Park

That's where The Beer City Open Pickleball Tournament come in.  This is an event on an elite level with more than 950 athletes from 38 states and six countries coming to Grand Rapids to compete. Pretty cool, huh? And, who knew there were professional Pickleball players? I've just watched amateur players bat that ball around on converted tennis courts.

The tournament actually began here in 2018 and it's returning in just 11-days, July 20-24 at Belknap Park in downtown Grand Rapids, larger than ever before.

Fox17 reports that the athletes will include Zane Navratil (top-ranked singles pickleball player in the world), JW Johnson (top mixed male player in the world), Simone Jardim (top-ranked mixed doubles female player), and Andrea Koop (Beer City tournament director). They will be competing for a total prize money purse of $90,000!

So, why are the best of the best coming to Grand Rapids? Zane Navratil said:

 The Beer City Open provides an intimate tournament experience through the courts and fan excitement. The tournament directors do a great job of perfecting every detail for fans and athletes, which does not go unnoticed by either group.

The Beer City Open has become a premier stop for professional and amateur players alike, with perks including a player party, large cash winnings, and a super fan base.

Registrations are closed for entries, but if you're into Pickleball, this will be a blast for you. Best of all for fans to watch, IT'S FREE! There will be plenty of food trucks around to handle hungry fans, too.