The world’s largest indoor pickleball facility is living up to the hype as more than 850 people came to compete at the 2024 USA Pickleball Atlantic South Regional Tournament. People came from 24 states and two countries, as far as Alaska, and Elberta, Canada.
“This takes our regional tournament to a much higher level,” said Bill Hess, Regional Director for Competition and Tournaments with the USA Pickleball Atlantic South Region. “The players love it, the people running the tournament love it, the referees, everybody involved. It has just been perfect.”
“It’s so nice. Nice courts, flooring, everything. It’s a good structure,” said Jaeda Minniefield, who traveled an hour and a half to play in the tournament. “Overall, it’s a great structure. I love that it’s indoors and it has two floors.”
Rhythm and Rally features 32 courts, 16 upstairs and 16 downstairs, with four pods of four courts on each level. The 150,000-square-foot pickleball facility offers climate-controlled courts, day-use lockers, showers, and a Pro Shop, all in a clean and fun playing environment.
“It’s amazing! Incredible! I can’t wait to be back,” said Heidi Burnet, who traveled from Thibodaux, Louisiana. “It’s as impressive than any other place I’ve ever been. We had an amazing dinner, went to a brewery, distillery, we had great food. Honestly it was amazing, and we’ll be back.”
This is the second tournament Rhythm and Rally hosts since opening. The first was held in December and featured nearly than 6500 players pickleballers from 11 states and Washington, DC. The facility opened for general play on January 1, 2024, and more than 400 people played that first day.
“This was another fantastic showcase of not only our world-class venue, but of Macon’s vibrant pickleball community,” said Rhythm and Rally General Manager John Roberts. “We’ve hosted dozens of tournaments in Macon the past five years, but this is the first time we’ve welcomed the national governing body for an event.”
To get updates and more information and to sign up for membership, visit them at www.rhythmandrally.com. Membership levels are in the graphic below; for anyone not signing up for a membership, it costs only $5 for half a day of play. People can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.