Pickleball Palooza 2026 in Town Madison set for Sept. 8

MADISON – Capitalizing on this off-the-chart craze in casual sports, Pickleball Palooza 2026 will pit enthusiasts in claiming bragging rights.

Pickleball Palooza will be a “high-energy community event bringing together chamber members, young professionals and local leaders for a fun and friendly pickleball competition,” Madison Chamber of Commerce President Michelle Epling said. The chamber is hosting the event.

“This tournament offers a great opportunity to network, build relationships and engage with the community while enjoying one of the fastest growing sports in the country. Perfect for players and spectators alike, the event combines competition, connection and community spirit,” Epling said.

All levels of experience are welcome to participate.

Pickleball Palooza’s venue will be Town Madison Wellness Center, 190 Graphics Drive on Sept. 8 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Guests can taste bites and sips from food trucks — New South Hot Dog & Sushi and Slurp Soda Shop.

For anyone who doesn’t know about pickleball, it’s a paddle sport that combines components of tennis, badminton and table tennis. Players can learn the rules easily in the game, suitable for people of practically any age and fitness level. Pickleball’s court is about one-third the size of a standard tennis court, according to pickleballfoundation. org.

Players use a perforated polymer ball and solid paddles. A game can be played as singles or doubles…although doubles is definitely the preferred format at all levels of playing ability.

The numbers behind pickleball’s growth are remarkable. Participation in the United States has grown from approximately 3.5 million players in 2019 to well over 36 million in 2024. (pickleballfoundation.org) In the Town Madison district, pickleball courts opened in November 2023 near Hexagon at the recreation complex adjacent to the city’s Public Safety Annex Office (for Intergraph Corporation’s Building 23A). In addition, Dublin Park has 16 pickleball courts; 12 of those courts can be used for tennis and pickleball.

To register for Pickleball Palooza, visit madisonalchamber. com and click the “Register for Events” box. On the “Events Calendar” window, advance to Sept. 8 and click “Pickleball Palooza 2026.” On the new window, click “Register.” Entry fee for teams with chamber members is $20. For teams who aren’t members, the fee is $30.

The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) is the Presenting Sponsor. Other sponsors are Turner Beverage Company, Sip & Serve Sponsor; Two Men And A Truck and ValleyMLS.com, Silver Social Sponsors; and Huntsville Madison County Airport Authority, Jimmy Smith Buick GMC, Nesin Therapy Services PC and Renasant Bank -U.S. 72 W., Court Sponsors.

Madison Chamber of Commerce’s office address is 230 Hughes Road. For more information, call 256-325-8317, email marketing@madisonalchamber. com or visit madisonalchamber.com.