The Club 509 Summer Classic will be hosted at CBRC Health & Fitness in 2026, featuring 16 indoor courts and 6 outdoor courts for a total of 22 courts. The venue also includes a scenic outdoor pickleball courtyard which is planned to host Vendor City/Pickleball Marketplace, outdoor yard games, the player social, and a welcoming atmosphere designed to support both competitive play and family-friendly participation.
The Club 509 Tournament Planning Committee shared that the decision to shift the tournament primarily indoors was guided by extensive feedback and a commitment to delivering the best possible tournament experience.
“We’ve spent a great deal of time studying how to build the best Summer Classic we can for our local pickleball community,” said Doug Jones, on behalf of the Club 509 Summer Classic Planning Committee. “Our priorities are simple: the overall player experience first, then spectators, sponsors and partners, and the experience of the organizers who work behind the scenes.”
Why the Summer Classic is Primarily Indoors in 2026
The planning committee cited several key factors:
*Court Conditions & Safety: Post-tournament feedback indicated concerns about cracked and deteriorating court surfaces at prior venues, including at least one reported ankle injury associated with court cracks.
*Weather Impact: The last three tournament weekends have been affected by extreme heat and high winds, creating safety concerns and leading to stressful last-minute changes. With indoor courts available, the tournament can proceed reliably while still leveraging outdoor courts when conditions permit.
*Court Availability & Efficiency: The new venue provides 22 total courts, including 18 courts equipped with semi-portable pro tension net systems, allowing greater flexibility and more efficient scheduling—reducing wait times and improving the event flow.
*Reduced Costs: The CBRC venue represents approximately 25% overall cost savings while expanding court capacity significantly.
*Improved Player Social & Vendor Experience: The venue’s on-site courtyard enables a more convenient player social, including the planned addition of a beer garden. Vendor City will be set up in a secure area, allowing participating vendors to leave their booths in place rather than tearing them down daily.
*Streamlined Tournament Operations: Equipment and infrastructure can remain set up throughout the event, reducing daily load-in/load-out demands on tournament staff and improving consistency.
*The committee emphasized that the move is intended to support a smoother, safer, and more enjoyable weekend for players, sponsors, vendors, and supporters alike.
“We felt we owed players an explanation,” Jones added. “There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work required to make a tournament great, and we’re committed to doing our part to elevate, improve, and deliver that experience every year.”
About Club 509 Summer Classic
The Club 509 Summer Classic is a community-centered pickleball tournament designed to provide a high-quality competitive experience while celebrating the growth and spirit of the local pickleball community.
Register to play at https://pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/25k-total-prize-money-509-summer-classic