Tampa YMCA’s Pickleball Tournament was a Smashing Success
What do Tampa and pickleball have in common? Both are growing at an incredible pace. At the Tampa YMCA, we continue to welcome new members and pickleball enthusiasts each month, reflecting both the city’s rapid growth and the sport’s rising popularity.
According to the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, the Tampa Bay MSA surpassed 3.3 million residents in 2023 and is projected to grow by 2.4% by 2028. That growth mirrors national trends in pickleball participation. Pickleheads reports that an estimated 19.8 million people played pickleball in the United States in 2024, with the sport experiencing a 311% growth rate over the past three years and projected to continue growing at an annual rate of 11.3% through 2028.
The YMCA always looks for fun and meaningful ways to engage members, the community and donors, and hosting a pickleball tournament was a natural fit.
On Saturday, January 10, players gathered at the Tampa Pickleball Crew for a morning of fast-paced, paddle-powered fun. The courts buzzed with energy as doubles teams competed in men’s, women’s and mixed divisions, rallying, dinking and smashing their way through a round-robin format that kept the action moving and the competition friendly.
The tournament showcased not only the excitement of a rapidly growing sport but also the power of community coming together around healthy, active lifestyles.
Jody Thorson, Senior Vice President of Mission Advancement at the Tampa YMCA, shared that funds raised through the tournament will support the YMCA’s Annual Campaign. “Everyone deserves access to our life-changing programs,” Thorson said. “We are proud to offer income-based pricing and free programs to individuals in need, and every serve and rally at the Tampa YMCA Pickleball Tournament helps us break down even more financial barriers.”
The Tampa YMCA Pickleball Tournament was a big success, thanks to the generous support of our friends at TECO Tampa Electric! Their sponsorship, combined with our staff and volunteers' dedication, made the event truly memorable.
If you couldn’t join us on the court, you can still make a difference and help the Y provide access to life-changing programs by donating today!