Salem to Host USA Pickleball-Sanctioned Tournament

Salem, Virginia, will be hosting the region’s first USA Pickleball-sanctioned tournament in September at the Moyer Sports Complex’s 13 new pickleball courts, which are currently being constructed in Salem.

“Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge is looking forward to welcoming players, officials, and spectators to our region. Hosting a tournament of this scale gives us an opportunity to showcase our tourism partners from both Salem and the entire Virginia’s Blue Ridge region,” said John Oney, director of sales and sports for Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

“Picklebrawl in Virginia’s Blue Ridge” will take place from September 13–15 and is expected to bring up to 450 players from the Mid-Atlantic region.

“Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the United States,” said John Shaner, director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Salem. “This addition will complement and add to what we already host here at the Moyer Sports Complex in Virginia’s Championship City.”

The tournament will take place on the second weekend of September when Virginia Tech football is on the road and local hotels and restaurants will be better suited to handle the influx of players and their families.

“Performance Pickleball was honored to be chosen to organize the first large-scale pickleball tournament in the Roanoke Valley,” said Performance Pickleball Chief Operating Officer and tournament organizer Jon Laaser. “[The tournament] represents the desire of so many to collaborate and innovate as the Roanoke Valley becomes a vibrant hub for pickleballers throughout the region and beyond.”