Title
Discuss and provide direction regarding the 2026 Pickleball World Championships.
Body
REQUESTOR:
City Manager’s Office - Tourism
BACKGROUND:
The City of Farmers Branch has served as the host city for the Pickleball World Championships since 2023. The United Pickleball Association has selected Farmers Branch to host the event for the fourth consecutive year. The 2026 event at Brookhaven Country Club will include Major League Pickleball from Friday, October 30, through Sunday, November 1, followed by the UPA Pickleball World Championships from Monday, November 2, through Sunday, November 8.
Daily attendance is expected to range from 2,000 to 8,000. Event parking will be provided at the Dallas College Brookhaven Campus, and hotel blocks are planned at six Farmers Branch hotels.
The Pickleball World Championships continue to generate a significant economic impact for Farmers Branch. In 2025, the event recorded total attendance of 60,246 and generated an estimated $16.1 million in economic activity. The event supports local hotels, restaurants, and attractions and provides national media exposure that showcases Farmers Branch.
Staff will continue to focus on minimizing disruptions for nearby residents. Affected residents will receive advance notice, parking permits, and signage intended to discourage event attendees from parking in front of their homes. A 20% ticket discount for Farmers Branch residents is also expected to continue in 2026.
Staff and Council hosted resident town halls before the event in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Because 2026 will be the fourth year of the event and attendance at the 2025 town hall was lower, staff proposes replacing the larger town hall with a smaller, targeted resident meeting for nearby townhome communities and other residents who have questions or concerns.
Staff anticipates presenting an Event Support and Sponsorship Agreement with the Professional Pickleball Association for Council consideration in September. The agreement is expected to include sponsorship benefits. Staff is requesting Council direction regarding any sponsorship priorities that should be included in the negotiations for the 2026 event.
The City will support the submission of an Events Trust Fund application through the Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism. The grant may award up to $439,632, with the final award based on post-event attendance. The required local match is $60,639 and is anticipated to be funded from the Hotel Motel Tax Fund.
DISCUSSION:
Staff is seeking Council direction on the following items:
A. Resident meeting format
Given the event's established history and lower attendance at the 2025 town hall, staff recommends a smaller, targeted meeting for nearby townhome communities and residents with questions rather than a citywide town hall.
B. Sponsorship priorities
Council direction regarding sponsorship priorities will guide negotiations for the 2026 Event Support and Sponsorship Agreement. Sponsorship benefits provided in 2025 included:
• Room blocks and promotion of Farmers Branch hotels
• Recognition and City logo placement during the event
• A resident discount on tickets
• A variety of ticket packages
• Council participation in interviews, media opportunities, and awards
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with discussion and direction on this item. The anticipated Events Trust Fund local match is $60,639 from the Hotel Motel Tax Fund. The financial terms of the 2026 Event Support and Sponsorship Agreement will be presented to Council with the agreement for future consideration.
DISTRICT:
District 5
POSSIBLE COUNCIL ACTION:
N/A
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Presentation