The Bermuda Pickleball Association has announced it will host the 2026 Caribbean Championships, marking a significant milestone for the rapidly growing sport in the region. The tournament is set to take place at the W.E.R. Joell Tennis Stadium in March, transforming the island’s premier racket sports facility into a hub for international pickleball.
The announcement follows a period of growth for the sport locally, bolstered by Bermuda’s recent success at the Pickleball World Cup. The championships are expected to draw the region's top talent, with the Elite Men’s field featuring representatives from four nations. Meanwhile, the Seniors Division will see an even broader field, with six teams confirmed to compete for regional honours.
For the Bermuda Pickleball Association, hosting the event represents a "homecoming" of sorts after several successful overseas tours. By securing the Caribbean Championships, the island aims to cement its status as a central pillar of the sport’s development within the Atlantic and Caribbean corridor.
"We are thrilled to bring the Caribbean Championships to local soil," said the Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture & Sport Owen Darrell. "The W.E.R. Joell Tennis Stadium provides the perfect stage for this level of competition, and we look forward to welcoming our regional rivals to what promises to be a historic week of sport."
The transition of the facility to accommodate pickleball courts has been a key part of the national "pathway" programme, designed to provide athletes with year-round access to high-performance training. As the March start date approaches, the focus for the Bermuda national squad will shift to final team selections and intensive drills to ensure they capitalise on home-court advantage.
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