NOLA PicklePlex Grand Opening: Pickleball, Prizes, and Celebration

The NOLA PicklePlex Grand Opening Party

Tomorrow, November 9th, the NOLA PicklePlex is hosting its long-awaited grand opening – a day packed with matches, clinics, challenges, raffles, and community energy from 10 AM to 5 PM. If you play anywhere near New Orleans, this is the event you don’t want to miss.

Owners Alex and Neal have been tirelessly upgrading the facility to make it one of the best indoor pickleball venues in Louisiana. From high ceilings and instant-replay technology to seamless score tracking and freshly tuned courts, every detail has been designed to elevate the player experience. They’ve also been hard at work developing a brand-new membership pricing structure that many are already calling the best in town – be sure to ask about it while you’re there.

If you caught my earlier coverage of the space back in May (“NOLA PicklePlex: Indoor Pickleball Spot in New Orleans”), you’ll know the facility has been building toward this moment for months now – the grand opening is simply the perfect way to celebrate the progress and invite the community in for real.

Morning Schedule (10 AM – 12 PM)

Start strong with a mix of learning and competitive play.

The morning lineup offers something for every level, from first-timers to advanced competitors, with fun skill challenges running alongside open play.

• Intermediate Open Play (10 AM – 12 PM) – For players with a solid grasp of rules, scoring, and strategy.
• Advanced Open Play (10 AM – 12 PM) – Designed for experienced players seeking fast-paced, competitive action.
• Free Learn to Play Class (10 AM – 11:30 AM) – Coaches Fletcher and Porter walk new players through the basics and rules of pickleball.
• Activities Court (10 AM – 2 PM)
  • Radar Gun Challenge: How fast can you serve? The day’s fastest serve wins a JOOLA paddle.
  • Dinkin’ Bucket Challenge: Test your touch and accuracy for prizes and bragging rights.
  • All-Day Raffle Event: Free to enter – tickets pulled at the end of the day.

🎁 Sneak Peek at the Prizes

• SELKIRK Swag Pack – raffled off together to one lucky winner.
• JOOLA Paddle – awarded to the Radar Serve Challenge champion.
• JOOLA Swag – raffled individually throughout the day.

Pro tip: Make sure you’re signed up and ready to play – you won’t want to miss your shot at these prizes.

Midday Schedule (12 PM – 2 PM)

Competition heats up as open play and challenge courts take over.

This is where the day finds its rhythm. Beginners get space to practice while seasoned players battle for bragging rights on the Challenge Courts.

• Beginner Open Play (12 PM – 2 PM) – A low-pressure session perfect for new players building consistency and confidence.
• Intermediate/Advanced Open Play (12 PM – 2 PM) – Steady competition for players who want to keep the pace high.
• Instructor Challenge Court (12 PM – 2 PM) – Take on Porter and Fletcher for a chance to win big and test your skills.
• Challenge Court (12 PM – 2 PM) – Winners stay; challengers rotate in until someone takes the crown.

Afternoon Schedule (2 PM – 5 PM)

Finish strong with fitness, specialty sessions, and open play for all.

The afternoon wraps the event with high-energy workouts, specialty sessions, and plenty of court time for everyone – kids, adults, and anyone ready for one more rally.

• Picklefit Class (2 PM – 3 PM) – Trainer Josh Murray leads a pickleball-specific fitness class for endurance, balance, and injury prevention.
• Women’s Open Play (2 PM – 4 PM) – A women-only open play session full of energy, camaraderie, and fun.
• Men’s Open Play (2 PM – 4 PM) – Men-only games mixing friendly competition and strong rallies.
• Kids Only Open Play (2 PM – 4 PM) – A supervised, fun environment for younger players discovering the sport.
• Intermediate Drilling (3 PM – 4 PM) – Coach Terri leads a focused skills clinic to help players sharpen control and shot variety.
• General Open Play (4 PM – 5 PM) – A final, all-level session to wrap up the day’s festivities.

Why This Event Matters

It’s more than just a schedule – it’s a signal of how strong the local pickleball scene has become.

In New Orleans, pickleball’s not just growing – it’s thriving. What started as a handful of players meeting up for casual games has turned into a competitive, supportive, and joyful community. NOLA PicklePlex is now hub of that movement – a modern facility built for players, by players. And with the new membership pricing structure rolling out, there’s never been a better time to get involved.

“We’ve been improving everything from the court experience to player amenities — and listening closely to player feedback as we plan what’s next,” says Neal, co-founder of NOLA PicklePlex. “This event is our way of saying thank you to everyone who’s helped shape where we go from here.”

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, November 9th
• Time: 10 AM – 5 PM
• Location: NOLA PicklePlex, New Orleans, LA
• Courts: 7 indoor, high-ceiling courts with replay and score-tracking technology
• Admission: Free and open to the public

Whether you’re looking to play, learn, or just hang out with local pickleballers, this is the perfect day to drop in and experience everything NOLA PicklePlex has to offer. Don’t forget to ask about their new membership options – they’re some of the best deals in the New Orleans area.

Coach Sid’s Take

Events like this remind me why pickleball took off in the first place – the mix of laughter, hustle, and competition that brings people together. The energy, the people, the play – it’s everything we love about this sport packed into one day. If you’ve been waiting to join the community, this is your moment. Grab your paddle and show up.

See you on the courts, New Orleans. 🎾