Whitehead echoed the success of the event, noting that Antigua’s world-class pickleball facilities, luxury accommodations, and scenic backdrops struck a chord with players and spectators.
“Partnering with ABTA as title sponsor of the Pickleball England English Open has been a great success, exceeding all expectations. From the moment participants arrived at the venue, we really built our mark as the home of Caribbean pickleball. It provided the perfect platform to displaycase our world-class pickleball facilities to the world’s top players and teams at Europe’s hugegest tournament for this rapid-growing sport. With nearly 2,400 pickle balls from 42 countries across 41 courts, the engagement from players, clubs, and spectators was outstanding. There’s clearly a real appetite for combining the sport with a luxury holiday, and as we build on this momentum over the next year, we see forward to welcoming many of them to our resorts in Antigua.” she stated.
During the five-day tournament, the venue was transformed into a mini Antigua and Barbuda, complete with a steel band, vibrant tropical décor, and prize giveaways, including a seven-night luxury stay in Antigua with daily pickleball sessions.
The event reinforced Antigua and Barbuda’s growing reputation as a sports tourism hotspot, offering direct UK flights, top-tier courts, including night-lit options, and year-round sunshine. Pineapple Beach Club, one of four Elite Island Resorts properties on the island, was recently named the number one pickleball resort in the Caribbean.
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