FOLEY — USA Pickleball has selected the City of Foley as one of five nationwide hosts of an inaugural tournament, Select Series, set to take over the Foley Event Center this weekend, Aug. 23-25.

As the popularity of pickleball continues to rapidly grow around the world, Foley has made a name for itself as a top-notch destination to compete.

Lance Cowart, Managing Director of National Championships at USA Pickleball, said part of the reason the city was chosen was because of its previous success hosting pickleball events that grow the sport in the region.

“USA Pickleball Select Series aims to create an incredible player experience and highlight amazing pickleball venues across the nation to continue growing the sport. Whether it’s someone’s first tournament or they’re a seasoned player, we want to ensure we’re fostering the sport at all levels and across all regions,” Cowart said. “Our team is excited to return to Foley Event Center and co-host an amazing event for our members with the City of Foley.”

City of Foley Executive Director of Leisure Services, David Thompson, agreed the city works as a perfect fit for a tournament like this.

“We are honored that USA Pickleball has allowed us to host a Select Series competition. Pickleball is a sport that is accessible to everyone at every age and that’s how we like to view our city as well,” Thompson said. “There is something for absolutely everyone to enjoy here. That’s what makes this the perfect partnership and one we hope to grow well into the future.”

Other hosts

According to USA Pickleball, the National Governing Body for the sport of pickleball in the U.S., it has been the fastest-growing sport in America for three years running.

The next step in continuing to encourage the sport’s expansion was to make high-quality competition at sanctioned events accessible for people regardless of where in the country they lived. Enter the Select Series.

Five regions were identified as pickleball hotspots and one host site was selected out of each region. With Foley as the Gulf Coast representative, other hosts include Manasquan, New Jersey (North Mid-Atlantic), Richmond, Virginia (Mid-Atlantic), Colorado Springs, Colorado (Great Plains) and Fairfield, California (Wine Country).

Pickleball always part of the FST plan

Thompson said pickleball events were always a part of the Foley Sports Tourism plan.

When the Foley Event Center opened in 2017, it had pickleball lines included in the design of the main floor where competitions could be immediately accommodated. The size and number of tournaments continued to grow and even garnered the USA Pickleball Atlantic South Regional in 2021.

Thompson said the success of pickleball in the area was because no matter who competed, they would find a place ready to welcome them in with a special kind of hospitality not found anywhere else.

“Our city is special. Every single person who lives here knows that to their core,” he said. “The best part is they want to share that beauty with those who visit and help them create lasting memories that keep them coming back. Foley is quickly growing into a sports destination and a huge part of that is because of our welcoming community.”

More information on the 2024 USA Pickleball Select Series is available at usapickleball.org/selectseries.