Antigua and Barbuda Serves Up Caribbean Flair at Europe’s Biggest Pickleball Tournament

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) and Elite Island Resorts have teamed up as headline sponsors for the 2025 Pickleball English Open, bringing a burst of Caribbean energy to Europe’s largest pickleball event.

The tournament, held from August 6–10 at the Telford International Centre in the UK, drew a record-breaking 2,300 players from around the globe. Pickleball’s popularity in Britain has surged in recent years, now boasting over 50,000 active players and more than 800 venues. The partnership aimed to position Antigua and Barbuda as the go-to destination for year-round pickleball in the Caribbean.

The collaboration between ABTA’s UK and Europe Director of Tourism, Cherrie Osborne, and Elite Island Resorts’ European Managing Director, Paula Whitehead, targeted the growing sports and wellness travel market.

“We are delighted to have partnered with Elite Island Resorts on the 2025 Pickleball English Open. This initiative brought the warmth and spirit of Antigua and Barbuda directly to the UK’s largest pickleball event. Together, we showcased our incredible year-round facilities, vibrant culture, and welcoming hospitality to a highly engaged audience. We look forward to welcoming more pickleball players and fans to experience why Antigua and Barbuda is the Caribbean home of pickleball.” Osborne said

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 made our mark as the home of Caribbean pickleball. It provided the perfect platform to showcase our world-class pickleball facilities to the world’s top players and teams at Europe’s biggest tournament for this fast-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 look forward to welcoming many of them to our resorts in Antigua.” she said.

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.