Pickleball Returns to National Mall

Ready to play pickleball in the nation's capital?

Here's your chance.

The National Mall in Washington D.C. will once again host free pickleball pop-up courts this September, inviting enthusiasts of all skill levels to participate.

Scheduled for September 27-29, the event promises a fun and engaging experience for all.

Why It Matters

This event is a perfect match between the nation's most beloved outdoor space and its rapidly growing sport. It's a unique opportunity to play in one of America's iconic locations with a legendary backdrop.

Event Details

Dubbed the "National Mall of Pickleball," the three-day event offers free play and a variety of activities. Attendees can look forward to on-site lessons, clinics with professional players, walk-in and reserved court time, and a showcase featuring the professional D.C. Pickleball Team.

This year’s event, which will take place from September 27 to September 29, 2024, courts at the JFK Hockey Fields, is themed “One for the Ages.” It's meant to celebrate a new generation of pickleball that is for all ages.

“Last September, we demonstrated the power of one of our country’s most treasured places—the National Mall—as a gathering place for all when we brought America’s fastest growing sport of pickleball to it,” said Bruce Broussard, CEO of Humana. “As we planned for this year’s event and the impact we wanted to have, we reflected on this iconic space and what it represents. It seems fitting to celebrate and honor a dynamic that is both natural to the pickleball world and also one of the National Mall’s greatest legacies—creating experiences for people to live healthy and active lifestyles and make social connections across generations. We hope the second annual National Mall of Pickleball will inspire everyone, picklers or not, to form and nurture their own relationships for the benefit of themselves and our society.”

More details about the event will be released over the summer.

What's New This Year

Two new courts will be added to last year’s offerings to accommodate more players. The Trust for the National Mall and Humana, who successfully ran the event last year, are introducing an exciting new feature—the "Ultimate Pickleball Duo" contest.

This contest encourages pairs of players from different generations to share their pickleball stories for a chance to win an all-expense-paid trip to the pop-up courts.

Six duos will be selected to win an all-expense-paid trip to the National Mall of Pickleball. Winners will be announced on August 8, 2024, in honor of National Pickleball Day. Find more details here. 

Upcoming Events
Major League Pickleball (MLP) made its debut in Washington, D.C. this past Thursday.

See a preview of the DC MLP event here:

Team Debuts, Drama and Plenty of Opportunities Lie Ahead at MLP Washington, D.C.

The second MLP event of the season kicks off Thursday in the nation’s capital, with teams making season debuts and crucial points at stake.

The Dink PickleballErik Tice