Citypickle in US Organises Unique Way to Celebrate National Pickleball Day
National Pickleball Day—8 August—has come and gone, and pickleball players around the world found their own ways to celebrate or at least commemorate it. Mostly, picklers played, had fun, and socialised right after, which is really the essence and appeal of the sport.
Out in the US, pickleball group Citypickle came up with a unique way to celebrate National Pickleball Day: hold pickleball matches at the famed Grand Central Terminal in New York City.
And the best part? It featured PPA Tour pro and respected pickleball voice Zane Navratil, who played with tennis pro-turned-pickleball pro Genie Bouchard, retired NFL legend Chad Ochocinco (yes, it’s really his surname!), UPA Senior Vice President of Communications Jeff Watson, Citypickle Founders Mary Cannon and Erica Desai, Fox News host Griff Jenkins.
Of course, CityPickle’s Central Park location will host the MLP Finals on 22 –24 August 2025. The group will also be building a new facility and corporate headquarters in the Paramount Building in Times Square, also in New York.
Zane Navratil with the gorgeous backhand to end the match and the finger way right after.
Why Is National Pickleball Day on 8 August?
If you’ve been paying attention to the history of pickleball, you probably know that National Pickleball Day was founded in 2021 by certified pickleball instructor and USA Pickleball ambassador Deirdre “Dee” Morris. She did so with the ultimate goals of promoting pickleball, encouraging others to play it, and celebrating the sport’s inclusive nature.
But why choose 8 August?
It turns out, the choice of 8 August as National Pickleball Day was deeply personal for Morris as 8 August is her birthday. Since Morris founded this special day, 8 August has become a much-awaited one among pickleball communities, who hold special events such as tournaments, free clinics, and social media campaigns to promote the world’s fastest-rising sport.
So, how about you, how did you celebrate National Picklebal Day?
