The National Pickleball League (NPL) is set to host its second annual Championship Weekend from Friday through Sunday at the Pickleball Lodge. This event will gather 12 teams for an exciting competition to close the 2024 season.
Teams and Seeding
Seeding for the championship is based on the regular season standings. The top four teams have earned first-round byes, which are:
- Boca Raton Picklers
- Columbus Hotshots
- Houston Hammers
- Denver Iconics
The remaining teams competing in the tournament are:
- Austin Ignite
- Coachella Valley Scorpions
- Indy Drivers
- Kansas City Stingers
- Naples JBB United
- OKC Punishers
- Princeton Bruisers
- Seattle United Pickleball
Competing for the Championship Title
The Championship Weekend will take place at the recently expanded Pickleball Lodge in West Chester Township. The NPL’s Champions Pro teams will battle for a share of the $150,000 prize pool, along with a trophy from Sterling Cut Glass.
Paul Bamundo, the league’s CEO, shared his pride in the diversity of players:
“Our champion professional players come from around the world – Brazil, Europe, Asia.”
Teams and Players
Each team consists of 14-16 players, with an equal number of men and women. One unique aspect of the NPL is that all players are 50 years or older, making this league special in its focus on older athletes.
This is the second time the Pickleball Lodge has hosted an NPL event. Last year, the venue held one of the league’s regular events, which ran from May to September. According to Bamundo, the players were impressed with the facility and local amenities: “They raved about the facility, area hotels, and restaurants. We needed to come back.”
Tournament Details and Live Broadcast
The event is open to the public with free admission. If you can’t attend in person, matches will be live-streamed on the league’s YouTube page at www.youtube.com/_@nationalpickleballleague or on their website, www.nplpickleball.com. Additionally, CBS will tape the event for a two-hour special that will air on December 3rd at 7 p.m...
Matches will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with Sunday’s games starting at 7:30 a.m. The final games will conclude by 5 p.m...
Match Format
The tournament will be played in a doubles format, with teams competing in women’s, men’s, and mixed doubles matches. Four teams will face off each morning and afternoon, with the semifinals scheduled for Saturday afternoon, and the finals on Sunday morning.
Supporting a Cause: Breast Cancer Awareness
The NPL will also be hosting a bracket challenge that will serve as a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. This initiative is aimed at raising funds for breast cancer research and awareness.
“There’s about a half-dozen women who are breast cancer survivors playing, and we’re doing it as a breast cancer awareness fundraiser,” said Bamundo.
Event Information
What: National Pickleball League Championship Weekend
When: Friday through Sunday
Where: Pickle Lodge, 7373 Kingsgate Way, West Chester Township
Time: Friday and Saturday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Join the excitement, whether in person or online, as the top pickleball teams compete for the title and support a great cause!