July 9, 2026

How Beer City Open Grew Into One of Pickleball’s Biggest Weeks

Beer City Open started as a local community tournament. Nine years later, it’s welcoming a record 1,200 amateur players, hosting Major League Pickleball’s Mid-Season Tournament, and proving that great events are built on volunteers, hospitality, and community first.

Be the first to know about new stories, giveaways, and what’s happening on and off the court.

TOP STORIES

How Sports Helped America Learn to Play Together

From horse racing in colonial America to neighborhood pickleball courts today, sports have always been about more than competition. Discover how America’s 250-year tradition of gathering through games helped pave the way for pickleball to become one of the country’s strongest communities.

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Pickleball GuidePickleball Stories

The Different Types of Pickleball Players You Meet at Open Play

Every pickleball court has its own cast of characters. From the line-calling perfectionist to the paddle…

July 2, 2026

Community StoriesPickleball Stories

Stephanie Lane Has Been Sharing the Joy of Pickleball for Decades

Stephanie Lane has spent nearly four decades introducing people to pickleball. From teaching the game in…

July 2, 2026

Community StoriesPickleball Stories

How Pickleball Gave Sarah Bowen Shea a Whole New Community

Sarah Bowen Shea spent years building communities through running. Then a beginner pickleball lesson in Mexico…

June 25, 2026

Podcast

How Beer City Open Grew Into One of Pickleball’s Biggest Weeks

Jul

09

Beer City Open started as a local community tournament. Nine years later, it’s welcoming a record 1,200 amateur players, hosting Major League Pickleball’s Mid-Season Tournament, and proving that great events are built on volunteers, hospitality, and community first.

Pickleball Burnout Is Real—and More Players Are Talking About It

Jul

09

Pickleball has brought millions of people friendship, fitness, and purpose—but can too much of a good thing lead to burnout? Learn the signs of pickleball burnout, why it happens, and how to keep your love for the game healthy for years to come.

The Proper Ready Position in Pickleball for Faster Hands and Reactions

Jul

09

A strong ready position is one of the most overlooked fundamentals in pickleball. Learn how proper footwork, paddle position, grip pressure, and balance can help you react faster, defend speed-ups, and gain an edge in every rally.

Best Pickleball Grip Styles and When to Use Them

Jul

07

Your pickleball grip influences every shot you hit. Learn the differences between the continental, eastern, semi-western, and western grips, when to use each one, and how the right grip can improve your control, topspin, and consistency.

Community Spotlight

How Beer City Open Grew Into One of Pickleball’s Biggest Weeks

Finding Your People: How Ifeanyi Ifediba Is Building Community Through Pickleball

Stephanie Lane Has Been Sharing the Joy of Pickleball for Decades

Have You Seen This Pickleball Rooster? 🐓

Have You Seen This Pickleball Rooster? 🐓

by Empower Pickleball on July 9, 2026 at 5:03 pm

Faster hands at the kitchen, finding balance off the court, and the community behind one of pickleball’s biggest events.

Are You Breaking Pickleball's Unwritten Rules?

Are You Breaking Pickleball’s Unwritten Rules?

by Empower Pickleball on July 7, 2026 at 5:53 pm

250 years of American sports history. The LA community builder to know.

We All Know This Type of Pickleball Player

We All Know This Type of Pickleball Player

by Empower Pickleball on July 2, 2026 at 5:05 pm

Footwork tips, pickleball personalities, and a festival that finally added the sport it was missing.

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