Springfield secures pickleball tourney

Local tourism and sports officials secured Springfield as the host site of the USA Pickleball Middle States Regional Championships for the next two years.

The tournament – scheduled to be held at Cooper Tennis Complex on June 1-4, 2023, and May 30-June 2, 2024 – is expected to generate roughly $675,000 annually in spending from visitors, according to a news release. The Springfield Sports Commission, Springfield-Greene County Park Board and regional organization Pickleball Blast won the tournament rights over Chicago and Milwaukee.

"We are pleased to be selected as the destination for the 2023 and 2024 USA Pickleball Middle States Regional,” said Lance Kettering, Springfield Sports Commission director, in the release. “The sport of pickleball is growing at a rapid pace throughout the country and also in Springfield. We are most appreciative of the support of the personnel at the Springfield-Greene County Park Board and the Cooper Tennis Complex.

“We look forward to showcasing our anchor tennis complex, Cooper Tennis, for USA Pickleball and the Middle States region."

The tournament is expected to generate 2,000 room nights at area hotels during each year in Springfield. Up to 1,000 athletes are expected to compete in the tournaments each year.