The City of Salem will be hosting the first USA Pickleball sanctioned tournament in Virginia’s Blue Ridge this September. “Picklebrawl in Virginia’s Blue Ridge” will take place at the newly renovated Moyer Sports Complex from September 13-15, 2024 and is expected to bring up to 450 players from the Mid-Atlantic region. 

"Performance Pickleball was honored to be chosen to organize the first large-scale pickleball tournament in the Roanoke Valley," said Performance Pickleball COO 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.”

The announcement was made this morning in the historic Salem Civic Center lobby with media, dignitaries, organizers and pickleball enthusiasts in attendance.

“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 in September when Virginia Tech football is on the road and local hotels and restaurants will be anxious to welcome players and fans inside their establishments.

“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,” stated John Oney, Director of Sales and Sports at Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

“Picklebrawl in Virginia's Blue Ridge” will be the first tournament to take place across Moyer Sports Complex's 13 new pickleball courts, which are currently being constructed in Salem, Virginia.

News release and photo courtesy of the City of Salem.