The Popcorn Mexican Effect

I am happy to report that pickleball growth is beginning to pick up throughout Mexico.

In different parts of the country, new investment and more interest in the sport is flourishing. I call it the “popcorn effect,” that is, places to play are popping up just about everywhere.

There are already many dedicated courts to play in traditional tourist destinations, led by Los Cabos where we have an unofficial inventory of around 200 courts.

Puerto Vallarta is just behind, with hotels and private courts opening almost every month.

The LPPM is planning to have great tournaments in the second semester of this year in these two cities. The tournament in Los Cabos will be held in the same amazing and incredible venue that the tennis ATP Los Cabos Open is held every August. The LPPM has signed an agreement to hold a pickleball tournament there in October for the next 10 years.

Other resort destinations with courts include Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Puerto Escondido/Huatulco, Riviera Maya, North and Middle Baja Peninsula, Ajijic and San Miguel de Allende.

But what is incredible is how the sport is now beginning to spread to the center of the country, as well as big central cities.

Hermosillo is a leading city with new courts, with Central Pickleball Club being one of the first among six different clubs—all with nightly leagues and tournaments.

Worth mentioning are two state-of-the-art venues being built in San Carlos, Sonora, and Torreón, Coahuila.

The San Carlos venue will be ready by the end of the summer and will have 14 dedicated courts including two championship stadiums, food and drink concessions and amazing social areas.

The Torreón venue is being built by entrepreneur Eduardo Gutierrez and will have nine dedicated indoor courts.

Top Spin Padel and Pickleball Club will open its doors next in July in the beautiful lake town of Valle de Bravo, located an hour and 15 minutes southwest of Mexico City. It also promises to be a fun and great competitive venue.

Mérida has recently inaugurated a new six-court club, with amazing lighting for night play to get around the heat. Mérida is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico.

These four venues will also host an LPPM tournament later this year.

But there is also Monterrey, Leon, Guadalajara, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosí, Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz, Pachuca, Zacatecas, Morelia… all with entrepreneurs investing their own money.

In Mexico City the LPPM is working with the local governments to implement public courts. Although many private clubs are beginning to incorporate courts, it is imperative that we start opening and promoting public areas.

If you are interested in information about new venues popping up in Mexico, email me at javier.regalado@lppm.mx.  •