Town of Cary, NC

04/07/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/07/2026 13:17

Cary Selected to Host Professional Pickleball’s National Championships, Launching Carvana PPA Tour’s Global Season

  • Cary will host the Veolia Pickleball National Championships at Cary Tennis Park from Aug. 31-Sept. 6, 2026.

  • With support from a State grant, Cary is the launch site for the Carvana Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour's 2026-2027 global season.

Cary, NC - Cary will host the Veolia Pickleball National Championships at Cary Tennis Park from Aug. 31 through Sept. 6, 2026. The event marks a major expansion of Cary's partnership with the Carvana PPA Tour, as the Town becomes the site of the Tour's national championship and 2026 global season launch.

"It's exciting to see how much the PPA Tour experience has grown here in Cary," said Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht. "Our staff does an incredible job making these events special for both players and fans, and our community really shows up. We're proud to welcome the pickleball world back to Cary."

The tournament will include world No. 1 players Anna Leigh Waters (Singles, Doubles, Mixed), Ben Johns (Doubles), Gabe Tardio (Mixed), and Chris Haworth (Singles), alongside North Carolina residents such as world No. 2 Kate Fahey and world No. 4 Brooke Buckner.

"As pickleball enjoys enormous growth in popularity and participation in the United States and globally, it is critical that we bring the very best of the PPA to the most passionate regions, and North Carolina has shown us year after year how fervent they are about the sport," said Connor Pardoe, Founder and CEO of the Carvana PPA Tour. "The PPA brings incredible energy and enthusiasm to all our tournaments, and our Slam tournaments are where we shine the brightest, with unmatched entertainment and excitement for everyone to enjoy. The first-ever Veolia Pickleball National Championships will raise that bar even higher as we turn the Greater Raleigh area into the place where every pickleball fanatic wants to be this summer."

The 2026 championship is expected to draw more than 2,000 players and thousands of daily attendees, with major network television and streaming coverage showcasing Cary to a global audience. The event is supported in part by a State of North Carolina grant of up to $984,850 through the Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund.

Cary hosted PPA Tour events in 2024 and 2025, which generated more than $6 million in direct economic impact, according to the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"Hosting world-class events is what Cary is built for," said Cary Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Director John Collins. "We're building on that foundation to deliver an experience that reflects both the growth of pickleball and Cary's ability to host at the highest level."

Cary Tennis Park is North Carolina's largest public tennis facility and was named the nation's "Municipal Facility of the Year" by Racquet Sports Industry (RSI) for the second time in 2025.

Beyond the courts, visitors will find themselves minutes from the award-winning Downtown Cary Park, dining, greenways, and cultural destinations, making it easy to turn a tournament visit into a full Cary experience.

From early matches through championship play, the event will offer an energetic, festival-style atmosphere, including live concerts, fan engagement, and pro-led camps and clinics.

Player registration is now open for amateur divisions across all skill levels, and tickets are available on the PPA Tour's website.

Primary Contacts

If you have specific questions, visit carync.gov/311, dial 311 anywhere in Cary, (919) 469-4000 outside Town limits, or email [email protected].

Resources

About Cary, North Carolina

With excellence and innovation at its core, Cary is a thriving community of around 190,000 residents representing more than 60 nationalities, positioned at the heart of North Carolina's renowned Research Triangle region. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 Best Place to Live in North Carolina and No. 5 in the nation for 2025-2026, Cary is known for its safe neighborhoods, extensive greenways, environmental stewardship, and premier sports and cultural venues. Its "people first" philosophy drives collaboration, adaptability, and forward-thinking public investments that make Cary an exceptional place to call home and an inspiring destination for visitors. For more information, visit CaryNC.gov/about and follow us on social media @caryncgov.

About Cary Tennis Park

Cary Tennis Park is North Carolina's largest public tennis venue and was named "Municipal Facility of the Year" by Racquet Sports Industry (RSI) magazine for the second time in 2025. The 24-acre park features 36 total courts - including seven covered courts, 25 outdoor hard courts, and four permanent pickleball courts - as well as a championship stadium court, onsite clubhouse, locker rooms, and player amenities. It hosts more than 20 sanctioned tournaments annually, including ATP and WTT professional events, and welcomes more than 300,000 visitors each year. Its natural setting, modern facilities, and comprehensive programming make it a premier destination for both recreational and competitive play.

About Carvana PPA Tour

Founded in 2019, the Carvana PPA Tour is where pickleball's top athletes go head-to-head to determine the best male and female players in the world. The Carvana PPA Tour organizes and conducts tournaments at world-class facilities across the country, establishes player rankings, and showcases the world's best pickleball week in and week out. Inviting amateur players to also compete and "play where the pros play," the Carvana PPA Tour offers divisions for every age group and skill level. Characterized by a uniquely festive and fun atmosphere, Carvana PPA Tour events deliver unparalleled experiences for fans on-site, including pro player meet-and-greets, clinics, food, beverages, live entertainment, giveaways, games, shopping, and VIP upgrades. For more information, go to www.ppatour.com, and follow us on social: Twitter/X, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn.

Town of Cary, NC published this content on April 07, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 07, 2026 at 19:18 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]