Kitchener’s Paddle Palooza Pickleball Festival returns this summer

Get ready to hit the courts in Downtown Kitchener as the City of Kitchener’s Paddle Palooza Pickleball Festival returns to Carl Zehr Square on Tuesday, August 26 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. This end-of-summer event is sure to be a ‘smash’, with activities for everyone, including a new fundraising tournament (registration required), open free play on King Street, local vendors, live music, Four Fathers Brewing beer garden, food trucks and more.

Following the success of last year’s Paddle Palooza Pickleball Festival, organizers have added a new competitive fundraising tournament to the day, in partnership with Four Fathers Brewing. The tournament presents the following six (6) doubles events, with a maximum of six (6) teams per event:

Registration is now open at Kitchener.ca/pickleball. The cost to register a team is $50 per team. Players may register for only one event.

Proceeds from the tournament will support the city’s Every Kid Counts program, helping to make camp an option for every child and young person in Kitchener by providing inclusion support.

Not quite ready for tournament play or just want to enjoy the game of pickleball? Paddle Palooza will celebrate all levels of pickleball skill and interest, ranging from curious to competitive. Spectators are welcome and encouraged. Whether you're playing or just soaking up the vibes, there's something for everyone. Come for the tournament, stay for the fun.

Pickleball is a hybrid paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, and is experiencing a rapid rise in popularity across Canada, reaching over one million Canadians (Pickleball Canada, 2023). The City of Kitchener has also seen significant growth and interest in the sport in recent years at community centres and outdoor courts.