A free pickleball extravaganza is coming to Union Square next week
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.
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out
7 days ago
- Time Out
A free pickleball extravaganza is coming to Union Square next week
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. 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.
Time Out
08-08-2025
- Time Out
You can play free pickleball inside Grand Central Terminal this weekend—yes, really
We've seen plenty of oddball things happen in Grand Central Terminal —flash mobs, pop-up dining, even an indoor light show—but this might just be the first time you can volley a pickleball under its Beaux-Arts arches. From Friday, August 8, through Sunday, August 10, Vanderbilt Hall will swap commuters for court time as Pickleball in the Hall takes over in honor of National Pickleball Day, the sport's 60th birthday and the upcoming 2025 Major League Pickleball Finals. The best part? It's totally free. The pop-up is the work of CityPickle, the NYC-based pickleball pros behind several of the city's most in-demand courts, in partnership with Major League Pickleball and sponsored by DoorDash. They're rolling in the first-ever regulation pickleball court to hit Grand Central, with programming for everyone from seasoned dinks-and-drives veterans to absolute beginners who've only just learned that 'the kitchen' is something you're not supposed to stand in. You can reserve your spot for open play or sign up for clinics (yes, paddles are provided) via CityPickle's site or app. Expect a mix of friendly competition, pro tips and the undeniable bragging rights of saying you've played one of the fastest-growing sports in the country beneath a ceiling painted with constellations. Court hours are generous, too: Friday from 2pm to midnight, Saturday from 8am to midnight, and Sunday from 8am to 8pm. That means you can squeeze in a match before brunch, after happy hour, or during a weekend Midtown wander. It's all part of Grand Central's "Fitness @ Grand Central" series, which has been finding inventive ways to turn one of the city's busiest transit hubs into a playground. This one's also a teaser for the Major League Pickleball Finals later this month, when the best players in the world will descend on NYC to battle for the MLP Championship Trophy. And yes, you're welcome to just come watch. Between the pop of the ball, the polished marble backdrop and the people-watching potential, it's shaping up to be a New York moment you didn't know you needed. Grab a paddle (or borrow one), rally a friend and see if you can keep your serve steady while trains rumble below and tourists snap photos. Pickleball in Grand Central? We'll take that over another rush-hour crowd any day.
The Sun
22-07-2025
- The Sun
Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman becomes first manager EVER to reach five international tournament finals in a row
LIONESSES boss Sarina Wiegman has made history after England beat Italy 2-1 to reach the European Championship final on Tuesday night. Wiegman, 55, has become the first-ever men's or women's manager to reach FIVE international tournament finals in a row. 10 10 The Dutch tactician has sensationally led England to three consecutive major finals off the back of the two finals she helped the Netherlands reach during her time as boss of her home nation. While in charge of the Netherlands side, Wiegman led the country to the 2017 Women's Euros and the 2019 Women's World Cup final. Of those two finals the experienced coach tasted success with victory over Denmark in the Euros, but suffered heartbreak in the World Cup final with defeat to the USA. Her time in charge of England has followed a similar pattern. Wiegman took the Lionesses to the Euro 2022 final at Wembley, beating Germany to eventually lift the trophy. While her second major tournament, the World Cup in 2023, saw England fall at the final hurdle with a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Spain. Now Wiegman has another chance to taste glory as her England side booked yet another final with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Italy at Euro 2025. England left it late to overturn a one-goal deficit when super-sub Michelle Agyemang hit a drilled effort in the sixth minute of injury time to force extra-time. 10 10 10 10 While there was even more drama in the additional spell when Chloe Kelly stepped up to take a penalty with just seconds remaining of the game. The Euro 2022 hero saw her spot-kick saved, but was quickest to react as she poked home the rebound and sent the Lionesses through to their third consecutive final. Now Wiegman will be hoping she can translate her fifth final into a third major trophy by setting England up for victory against the winner of Wednesday's semi-final between Germany and Spain. Speaking after her side's late dramatics, Wiegman said of England reaching a third consecutive final: "We've seen so many different England teams now and we never give up. "We say we can win by any means, I think against Sweden [in the quarter-finals] with the penalty shootout we were a bit lucky that they missed two. "I think now we are going for that goal and we take risks, but it gives us something. "This team just keeps going and we never give up". Now the nation - and King Charles - are willing Wiegman and her brave Lionesses over the line to win another major trophy in Sunday's showpiece final in Switzerland. 10 10
