Third annual JOOLA Pickleball Celebration set for late August

Alex Lantz

Director of Content

Last Edited

Jul 09 2025

Team tournament takes center stage

When we say a week full of non-stop pickleball, we’re not kidding. Unlike other tournaments where you’re at the venue all day and somehow end up only playing a few matches, the JOOLA Pickleball Celebration tournament format ensures that all players get plenty of time on court.

There are three doubles matches per round and teams are guaranteed to play six rounds – that’s 18 matches. The tournament is open to players of all skill levels (and grouped into different divisions by DUPR) and players can expect to play 6-8 hours of pickleball per day, JOOLA says.

There also is a juniors-only tournament open to players ages 8-18 of all skill levels, and an 80s night on the Saturday of the event that will feature costume contests, games and a live DJ.

The ample time on court has been a staple of the event since its inception three years ago, and something that players have appreciated in contrast to other tournament experiences, Bouchard says.

“If you love playing, we definitely make sure that you get your money’s worth,” she said. “And we have open play opportunities so you can meet new players outside of your team.”

Participants get access to resort and pro-led clinics

In addition to the time on court, attendees will have access to the 4.5-star resort, attend a pro exhibition and skills demo and have the opportunity to sign up for JOOLA’s 3-day clinic taught by the top JOOLA pros on tour. Bouchard said they are expecting to have about 30 JOOLA pro players at the event, who will guide amateur players through an extensive clinic with individual sessions on dinking, court positioning, live drills and more.

The event has doubled in terms of the number of participants each year, according to Bouchard, going from about 30 teams in 2023 to 60 teams in 2024 and likely more than 100 teams this year. More than 85 teams have already registered for this year’s tournament, and there are several teams from Brazil and a team from Germany.

More teams means more opportunities to play and more opportunities to meet new people in the broader pickleball community.

“Even when people are not on court, they’re making new friends and going out to dinner together or hanging out at the pool or going to explore Orlando together,” Bouchard said. “The event is a great chance to create those connections with people you may not have ever run into in your daily life.”

JOOLA also partners with local schools in Orange County, Florida, to give students from local middle schools and high schools an opportunity to gain experience running an event. They help with registrations and setting up the venue, and JOOLA donates pickleball equipment to the schools to help them with their pickleball programs.

Registration costs $1,399 per team – or $279 per person for a team of 5, plus each participant will receive a free JOOLA paddle or Pro bag of their choice along with a free T-shirt. Kitchen readers can use code KITCHEN2025 to get $200 off.

Learn more: 2025 JOOLA Pickleball Celebration registration and information

“We acknowledge it’s an expensive ask, but it’s actually cheaper to come to the celebration and get your new paddle than purchase a paddle online, and you’re getting so much more than that,” Bouchard said. “You’re getting this whole group of people that also wants to come to Orlando and have a good time, play some pickleball and meet new people that hopefully you’re going to be friends with for a long time. And then everyone can continue to come back every year to see all the people they’ve met from different parts of the country and world.”

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