As the Black Desert Resort Red Rock Open comes to St. George March 26-30, it signals the booming success of pickleball in Utah and a reflection of the uptake in St. George in particular. Over the past decade, the sport’s popularity in this city has exploded, mirroring national trends.
Pickleball is America’s fastest-growing sport, with participation skyrocketing from 4.2 million players in 2020 to 8.9 million in 2022. While those figures dwarf what’s happening in St. George, the numbers signaling the growth of the sport locally are impressive:
St. George has invested heavily in pickleball infrastructure. The Little Valley Pickleball Complex now boasts 33 dedicated courts, including a new stadium-style championship court at the Little Valley Pickleball Complex after a recent expansion. This complex is one of the largest pickleball facilities in the West, and it serves as the hub for both local play and major events.
St. George has a huge pickleball player base. Over 6,000 players compete annually in tournaments held at Little Valley Pickleball Complex alone, according to a city press release. One signature amateur event, the “Fall Brawl” tournament, draws more than 1,000 players, making it one of the top five amateur pickleball tournaments nationwide.
Beyond tournament participation, countless locals play recreationally every week. The demand is so high that the city’s courts are often full from sunrise to sundown. On any given afternoon you can visit Little Valley Pickleball Complex and find all 33 courts occupied with players of all ages and skill levels. Pickleball has truly become a daily pastime for many in the community.
Additionally, several city parks - like Vernon Worthen Park, which had the city’s first courts back in 2012 - and area schools have pickleball courts or dual-use tennis courts with pickleball lines, providing even more places to play. The ample facilities have made it easy for the pickleball community to keep growing.
With so many new players picking up the sport, the demand for lessons and instruction has climbed as well. St. George is fortunate to have a strong roster of qualified instructors. The City’s recreation department itself has multiple staff who are PPR-certified pickleball coaches (Professional Pickleball Registry certified) to lead its clinics and classes. They offer everything from beginner “learn-to-play” classes to youth pickleball camps and adult skills clinics. Private lessons are also available through the city program and independent coaches, like those found on TeachMe.To. According to TeachMe.To, demand for pickleball lessons in Utah has surged by over 300% in the last year.
Pickleball has become deeply ingrained in St. George’s lifestyle – a source of exercise, social life, and community pride all at once. For those feeling inspired to pick up a paddle after watching the Open, or locals who want to sharpen their skills, consider booking a pickleball lesson or two. St. George has plenty of options to learn the game. Open play sessions are available almost any day in St. George, and with a bit of coaching and practice, you might be entering next year’s tournament!
Visit the PPA Tour’s website for event details and tickets, and head to TeachMe.To (or your local recreation center) to book a pickleball lesson and see what the buzz is all about.
