Virginians enjoy top-notch pickleball, with exciting new venues just around the corner to max the level
With the Blue Ridge Mountains and Atlantic coastline, Virginia’s range of climates make it an ideal state for both indoor and outdoor pickleball tournaments and events. If temps drop too low in winter, there are plenty of indoor courts to keep the action hot. From staple tournaments at scenic Virginia Beach to the developing pickleball empire in Henrico County, Virginia continues its ascent to the top of the pickleball world.
Virginia is indeed for pickleball lovers
With a large selection of destinations within the Old Dominion to hold pickleball tournaments of any size or level of play, it’s no surprise that the sport has seen significant growth over the past decade.
Virginia Beach is the largest city, attracting 7.1 million overnight visitors annually. Considering its oceanside setting, unique districts and beautiful boardwalk, these numbers are unsurprising—as is the vibrancy of the city’s pickleball scene. Holding your tournament so close to the beach at a 30-court venue like Pickleball Virginia Beach is invigorating, as many can attest to when competing there for the annual, USA Pickleball-sanctioned Virginia Beach Open.
At Pouncey Tract Park Pickleball Courts out in Glen Allen, Henrico County, more USA Pickleball-sanctioned events await, such as the aptly named Pickleboo Classic which is held close to Halloween. Pouncey has a rich pickleball history, drawing in picklers and spectators for tournaments including the World Pickleball Tour and Virginia Pickleball Classic. The venue is also renowned for being a regular for members of the Virginia Indoor Tennis & Pickleball Club.
The James I. Moyer Sports Complex in Salem opened in 1992 and now it is undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation. The complex is in use on average 230 days per calendar year as it hosts multiple conference championships. The $27.5 million allocated for the renovation will improve parking, add a new playground and a skate park as well as three new pickleball courts. It is slated to host its first pickleball championship in 2024.
Indoor pickleball thrives at unique destinations
Along with the larger outdoor venues, destinations like historic Williamsburg as well as Salem and Roanoke, the place to be for metro mountain adventure, have indoor pickleball covered.
Williamsburg in particular is famous for its 301-acre Colonial Williamsburg living-history museum. However, not to be stuck with a label, the city enhanced its appeal beyond the historical aspects by, for one, pushing for sports tourism greatness. This has allowed the independent city to become one of “The South’s Best Small Towns” according to Southern Living Magazine. One of main contributors to Williamsburg’s budding sports reputation is Quarterpath Park and Recreation Center, which houses six premier indoor pickleball courts. Fees to use the courts are low and both local and statewide tournaments all contribute to offering newcomers to the sport a warm welcome.
Out in the metro in the Blue Ridge Mountains, pickleball thrives at indoor venues like Taliaferro Sports and Entertainment Complex in the City of Salem. While the 7,000-seat Civic Center housed within the complex is more famously utilized for basketball events, the space can be converted into smaller courts as a main attraction for picklers. Away from the game, everyone will be able to enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding mountainous region.
The future of pickleball in Virginia is ever brighter
The Arlington Outdoor Courts Assessment Project, which reviews community interests and needs, assessed that Arlington County is in need of more courts in addition to its current 18 outdoor and 14 indoor courts across several facilities. This not only highlights the needs of the community, but also contributes to the reality of the rapid growth of pickleball in Virginia—a sport that has grown to over 9 million players. To meet the demands of picklers, Arlington County will be repurposing and retooling several locations to provide additional courts.
Not satisfied with its current 26 courts across four facilities, and overwhelmed with the thousands of requests for more courts, Henrico County also broke ground for additions to the Pouncey Tract location in August 2023. The project is a $4.4 million pickleball complex with two championship courts as well as ten additional standard courts. The new complex will include covered spectator seating and LED sports lighting, along with additional parking, road improvements and more. As if that weren’t enough, Henrico County is also set to have the largest pickleball facility in the state, with ongoing construction of Performance Pickleball RVA at Richmond’s Regency Square set to wrap up at the end of 2023. Utilizing an old Macy’s space at the mall, the facility’s first phase will feature 12 indoor courts, a bar, restaurant and lounging area with phase 2 adding six outdoor courts and spectator seating for major events.
