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Union Square is about to trade in its chessboards and farmers market stalls for something a little bouncier: Pickleball, America's "fastest-growing sport," is headed to 14th Street for the third year.
On Thursday, August 21, CityPicklePalooza will take over the North Plaza with two pro-level courts and a full day of free fun. Part of Union Square Partnership’s Free Summer Programming, CityPickle's pros are teaming up with Major League Pickleball to transform the public plaza into a full-on sports and social hub.
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From 9am to 6pm, anyone can grab a paddle and jump into the action, no matter their skill level. That being said, newbies might want to start with the instructional clinic, while children aged 9 to 12 receive their own dedicated sessions.
More advanced picklers can step up to compete in the MLP Beat the Pros Challenge to match their skill set against that of some of the sport’s top players. And if you just want to have fun with friends, you can sign up for open play time. Not everything has to be a competition!
You also don't have to play pickleball at all to enjoy the day. There will be pop-ups and sampling stations from brands like N!CK’s, RYZE, DoorDash, Playkout, Juice Plus, Electrolit, Dig Inn and Franklin to keep you refreshed. Expect games, giveaways and plenty of surprises; in Union Square, anything can (and usually does) happen. And if you’re looking to score in more than just pickleball, the “Down to Flirt” social mixer starts at 4pm and offers the chance to make some new connections—and maybe even a post-event date.
CityPicklePalooza serves as the perfect pre-game for Major League Pickleball’s Tournament Finals, happening August 22–24 at Central Park's Wollman Rink.
Whether you’re a seasoned player, just curious or in it for the free samples and people-watching, this is the kind of summer-in-the-city moment worth braving the steamy Union Square subway platforms for. Court slot reservations open up on the CityPickle app beginning at noon on August 14, so be sure to book ASAP. This is NYC, after all—even pickleball courts are prime real estate.