Sports Destination Management has named the Southern Pickleball Championships, presented by Publix and held at Rhythm & Rally Sports & Events, as one of its 2025 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism. The event took place from January 3 to 5 at Rhythm & Rally, which is recognized as the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility.
The tournament produced a direct economic impact of $809,640 for Macon and resulted in 1,332 room nights booked in the area. More than 1,200 players participated, traveling from 21 states and two countries.
Paul Midkiff, Co-Founder of Southern Pickleball, said: “Having 32 quality courts and not having to worry about the weather is a tournament director’s dream for big events like our Southern Championships. Rhythm and Rally delivers the number of courts we need as well as additional room for players to congregate and socialize, making it the premier facility we are looking for when scheduling this event.”
The championship was hosted entirely indoors at Rhythm & Rally. Organizers noted that the event highlighted Macon’s revitalization efforts and increased national attention on Middle Georgia as a destination for pickleball tournaments.
Ally Bird, Marketing Manager for Rhythm & Rally, stated: “We are incredibly proud to see this event recognized on a national stage. Our community, our partners, and the unbelievable energy inside our facility helped create something special. This award celebrates not just pickleball, but Macon as a whole.”
Organizers announced that the next Southern Pickleball Championships will take place later this month from December 31 through January 4. The upcoming event will expand to five days due to higher registration numbers and ongoing demand.
