HONOLULU — The inaugural Aloha Pickleball Games & Festival organized by Pop Up Pickleball, a division of the Pickleball Management Group, will take place at the Hawaii Convention Center along with family activities, raffle prizes and a demo court, Nov. 1 to 3.
The amateur event is open to players of all ages and skill levels and will take place on 15 of the center’s 45 new pickleball courts.
“The Aloha Pickleball Games & Festival will feature a competitive tournament format with a fun-filled festival for the entire family,” said event organizer Scott Winters in a release. “We have designed this inaugural event to be loaded with benefits for all players, including extra playtime and activities for the whole family.
“The Hawaii Convention Center has invested in new pickleball courts, emphasizing its goal of becoming a premier destination for pickleball enthusiasts worldwide. We are honored to host the first tournament to utilize these new courts,” Winters said.
The Hawaii Convention Center kicks off its newest sports courts program featuring the 45 new pickleball courts, 28 volleyball and badminton courts, 18 basketball courts and 11 futsal courts with the inaugural pickleball event.
According to the release, the tournament will follow official USA pickleball tournament rules and each player is guaranteed play time in a round robin format. The top four players from each division will move on to the finals playoff round to decide the top three places that will earn each player a tournament-themed award.
Those interested in competing can register through Oct. 23.
Entry fees are $80 per person for the first event and $25 per person for the second event. Discounts are available for first-time beginners, junior divisions and military/veteran players. Activities will be available at the Pop Up Pickleball Vendor Village, which will be open to spectators and family members.
Each player will receive a gift bag with tournament souvenirs, sponsor gifts and hospitality tickets.
“We are excited to expand the Hawaii Convention Center’s highly successful sports courts program this year to include pickleball — a sport that has grown 60 percent in the past five years,” said Teri Orton, general manager of the Hawaii Convention Center. “Our new premium pickleball rollout mat courts play just like championship outdoor pickleball courts, and we look forward to hosting our first players during the Aloha Pickleball Games.”