🏆 USA Nationals Registration Opens + Hall of Fame Class Revealed

The pickleball world exploded with excitement this week as USA Pickleball National Championships priority registration officially opened on August 11th, marking the beginning of the journey to crown America's best players this November in San Diego! With prestigious Hall of Fame announcements and major facility expansions making headlines, this week proved that pickleball's growth shows no signs of slowing down.

From the courts of Mountain View to the boardrooms of Major League Pickleball, the sport continues its remarkable transformation from backyard pastime to professional powerhouse. Let's dive into all the action that unfolded this week in the pickleball universe.

🏆 Tournament Highlights

The USA Pickleball National Championships took center stage this week as priority registration opened on August 11th for the premier event scheduled November 15-23 at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego. Golden Ticket holders and players aged 70+ now have until August 25 at 11:59 PM PST to secure their spots in what promises to be the most competitive national championship to date. This nine-day celebration of pickleball will showcase the best amateur talent across all age divisions.

Meanwhile, professional action concluded at the PPA Tour's Veolia Bristol Open on August 10th, where women's doubles champions Anna Bright and Anna Leigh Waters continued their dominant partnership. The dynamic duo defeated Rachel Rohrabacher and Jorja Johnson in the finals, while Parris Todd and Tyra Hurricane Black secured third place, demonstrating the depth of talent in women's professional doubles.

📈 Industry & Business News

Mountain View, California is leading the charge in municipal pickleball development with a comprehensive city-wide study set to be presented on August 27th. Public Works staff will unveil recommendations for dedicated court locations, including exciting options at Cuesta Park Annex and the future San Rafael Park site. The city's commitment to inclusive planning shines through with interpretation services available in Chinese and Spanish.

Private facility expansion continues at breakneck speed, with PickleRage announcing 17 new franchise agreements in 2025. Their innovative business model combines court development with community programming, including youth initiatives in Michigan and Special Olympics support in Florida. This holistic approach to facility management is setting new standards for the industry.

The APP Tour continues implementing its ambitious 2025 expansion, doubling its event calendar with 14 nationally televised tournaments. With enhanced prize pools and expanded draws across ESPN, CBS, and Fox Sports networks, professional pickleball is securing its place in mainstream sports entertainment.

🌍 Global Pickleball Growth

USA Pickleball Serves made history by awarding its first-ever "Play It Forward" grants totaling $100,000 to community court projects. The Emerald Valley Pickleball Foundation in Eugene, Oregon, received $50,000 for their ambitious 24-court Regional Pickleball Complex at Lane Community College, featuring 10 covered courts and full ADA accessibility.

South Hadley, Massachusetts, also received $50,000 through the Friends of Buttery Brook Park to expand their community hub from four to eight dedicated courts. With over 3,000 expected users and robust youth programming, this project exemplifies how pickleball strengthens communities across America.

⚖️ Rules & Regulations

The 2025 USA Pickleball rule changes continue to shape competitive play nationwide. The elimination of spectator input on line calls has created more consistent officiating environments, shifting from "should not be consulted" to "shall not be consulted." This change places greater responsibility on players for accurate line calling while enhancing overall sportsmanship.

Rally scoring remains a hot topic as tournament directors experiment with this Major League Pickleball-popularized format for doubles play. While the National Championships will maintain traditional side-out scoring, the provisional approval offers flexibility for other events to test faster-paced game formats.

🎯 Player Spotlight

The 2025 Pickleball Hall of Fame class was announced on August 11th, honoring three legends who shaped our sport. Chris "Mills" Miller brings over 100 career gold medals and 10 National Championships to his induction, but perhaps more importantly, he introduced thousands of students to pickleball during his career as a high school PE teacher.

Cammy MacGregor successfully transitioned from a 10-year WTA tennis career to become a pickleball powerhouse, claiming 22 major championships including the 2018 US Open Senior Pro Singles. Her work at Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad has introduced countless players to the sport.

Melissa McCurley earned recognition as a contributor for transforming PickleballTournaments.com into a global technology platform. As the first woman commentator for CBS Sports pickleball coverage, she broke barriers while building the infrastructure that enables modern tournament operations.

📅 Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars! The USA Pickleball National Championships priority registration window closes August 25th at 11:59 PM PST. Don't miss your chance to compete at the Barnes Tennis Center this November!

Mountain View residents should attend the crucial pickleball facility planning meeting on August 27th to voice their input on the city's court expansion plans. Your participation shapes the future of local pickleball!

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony is set for November 5-6 in Surprise, Arizona, where we'll celebrate the incredible contributions of Miller, MacGregor, and McCurley to our beloved sport.

What an incredible week for pickleball! From championship opportunities to facility expansions and well-deserved Hall of Fame honors, our sport continues to unite communities and create opportunities for players of all levels. Whether you're preparing for nationals or enjoying recreational play at your local courts, remember that you're part of the fastest-growing sport in America. See you on the courts, San Diego!