The Veolia Pickleball National Championships opened at Cary Tennis Park this week, drawing top-ranked professional players and thousands of spectators to the town for the first of four major tournaments on the PPA Tour. Organizers say the event features more than $1 million in prize money and marks the first time Cary has hosted the national championships.
High-profile tournament lands in Cary
Pickleball, described by organizers as America's fastest-growing sport, has brought a national spotlight to Cary with the tournament. Local hosts and PPA Tour officials reported brisk ticket sales — a large number sold within the first 24 hours of availability — and expressed confidence the event will provide an economic boost for the region similar to past professional pickleball competitions.
Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon, a noted backer of the PPA Tour, is among the tournament's high-profile supporters. Jeff Watson, the tour's senior vice president of marketing and communications, emphasized Cary’s readiness to stage the event and pointed to strong local collaboration.
"The ticket sales just show that Cary is the place to be," Watson said. "Cary has all the infrastructure to be able to host us in an incredible way."
Players, fans and local stakes
Competitors from across the sport have converged on Cary to compete for seven-figure prize money. Professional players and fans described a lively atmosphere. Player Kyle Borawski highlighted the event’s crowd engagement, saying,
"Beautiful day for pickleball," Borawski said. "It looks like the fans are really enjoying themselves. People like teams, and people like players. So they get a connection ... it just keeps going up."
Organizers noted that past professional pickleball tournaments have generated millions of dollars in economic impact for the region, and they are optimistic this championship will follow that pattern. Watson said the tour hopes for a long-term relationship with the town so that growth in both the sport and its economic returns continues.
- Venue: Cary Tennis Park
- Event: Veolia Pickleball National Championships, first of four majors on the PPA Tour
- Prize money: More than $1 million
- Organizers' expectation: Strong ticket demand and economic benefit similar to previous pro tournaments
What this means for Cary
For Cary residents, the tournament brings national attention as well as practical considerations. The influx of players, coaches, officials and fans typically increases demand for local services, lodging and hospitality. Organizers and local partners have highlighted the town’s infrastructure and community support as factors that made Cary an attractive host.
While detailed economic estimates for this specific event have not been released, tournament organizers cited previous pro events' multi-million-dollar regional impacts as a benchmark. Officials said they hope the championship strengthens Cary’s position on the PPA Tour calendar and supports ongoing growth in audience and participation.
The championships also provide a chance for local residents to see elite-level pickleball close-up and for area businesses to welcome visitors. Fans from across North Carolina arrived in Cary for the opening days of competition, underlining the event’s regional draw.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Veolia Pickleball National Championships |
| Location | Cary Tennis Park |
| Prize pool | More than $1 million |
| Tour status | First of four PPA Tour majors |
Organizers and local officials face the immediate task of managing the event’s operational demands while seeking to capitalize on the economic opportunities. If the championships mirror the impact of previous tournaments, Cary could see meaningful short-term gains in tourism-related revenue and longer-term benefits if the town hosts future marquee pickleball events.
The tournament will continue through the scheduled competition days at Cary Tennis Park, with top-ranked professionals competing for titles and prize money while organizers monitor attendance and local economic effects.
