New mega complexes are redefining the state’s court capacity, while established venues continue to deliver a championship pedigree
By Dave Bodle
Greensboro
Pickleball’s growth is surging, and nowhere is that more evident than Greensboro. Here’s an example: The CVB’s board greenlit the purchase of 40 portable courts arriving early 2025. The CVB, Greensboro Sports Foundation and the Greensboro Complex partnered to make “Pickleball Town” a reality. It all paid off when the team secured a major national qualifying tournament in May 2025 through USA Pickleball.
Cary
In June 2024, the Cary Tennis Park and pickleball expansion was announced. The $60 million investment will enhance the Cary Tennis Park clubhouse and stadium while adding 25-30 new state-of-the-art pickleball courts. The existing clubhouse will be enlarged to include the North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame. Stadium seating will increase from 530 to more than 900. Sustainability, including solar energy and EV chargers, will be a significant part of the investment.
With a history dating to 2015, the Cary Tennis Classic will return in 2026.
The 2025 event saw 2024 Australian Boys’ Singles Champion Rei Sakamoto defeat Kentucky alum and No. 2 seed Liam Draxl in straight sets. On the women’s side, Darja Viďmanová of the Czech Republic defeated 18-year-old qualifier Monika Ekstrand in straight sets.
Raleigh
Another big development was Swing Racquet + Paddle’s groundbreaking in Raleigh’s Brier Creek area in August 2024. The 44-acre campus is on track to open in 2026 as the largest multi-racquet sports facility in the world. There will be a combination 80 indoor and outdoor courts, including 28 for tennis, 25 for pickleball, 15 padel courts, four beach tennis courts and a ping pong lounge. The venue is capable of hosting state, regional and international tournaments. When not on the court, groups can enjoy unique food and beverages created by celebrity chef Fabio Viviani. The $100-plus million investment in racquet sports deservedly creates the buzz. It’s the existing venues that have attracted rights holders and set the table for this growth.
Winston-Salem
Since 2011, the Winston-Salem Open has been a regular stop on the ATP Tour. An international men’s tennis event will be played this year on resurfaced hardcourts at the Wake Forest University Tennis Complex. Winston-Salem partnered with Serve First Racquet Sports to host the 2025 North Carolina 40 & Over State Championship.
Mooresville
Mooresville’s Triangle Badminton & Table Tennis caters to all levels of play. Outstanding coaching is available for players training for competitive events. Designated a USATT National Center of Excellence, the facility opened in 2014. They’ve hosted elite tournaments including the Butterfly Cary Cup Championship and the 2017 USA Table Tennis National Team Trials.
Asheville
Aston Park is managed by the City of Asheville Parks & Recreation Department. The historic facility’s 12-lighted clay courts host USTA League play and sanctioned tournament play for juniors and adults. The Asheville Open is the longest consistently running sanctioned tournament in North Carolina and has been hosted by Aston Park for more than 90 years.
Regardless of the event’s size, there are three components that guarantee your North Carolina racquet competition will be a success.
- Sponsorships are important and often begin their work well in advance of the event. A professional event may need sponsors to make a sufficient financial commitment to attract top athletes. Other events may need sponsors’ promotional power to reach fans for ticket sales and attendance.
- Volunteers often work for the love of the game, a T-shirt and maybe a free lunch. Yet their contributions are invaluable. Consider the behind-the-scenes story of the 2025 Cary Tennis Classic. As on-court excitement built, a tropical storm approached. The decision was made to move the matches indoors. It was staff and volunteers who made it happen without losing a beat.
The more than 135 Sports NC partners are professionals skilled in making every rights-holder’s event a success. Working as a team or individually, the Sports NC partners are the rights-holders’ perfect fit.
