Drew Brees’ 3rd Annual Nola Pickle Fest Begins Today

The Smoothie King Center might be hosting gymnasts this weekend, but just a few blocks away, the real racket is coming from the pickleball courts.

Tomorrow, August 8 is National Pickleball Day. And today marks the start of the 3rd Annual Drew Brees NOLA Pickle Fest, a weekend celebration of America’s fastest-growing sport, hosted by none other than New Orleans Saints legend Drew Brees. Held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the event is FREE !!!! everyday except a $10 admission Saturday, and has become one of the most anticipated sporting festivals in the Gulf South—a combination of competition, celebrity, and community that continues to grow with each passing year.

Since its debut in 2023, the NOLA Pickle Fest has drawn thousands of fans and players from across the country, turning the Big Easy into the unofficial capital of Gulf Coast pickleball. With over 30 courts set up under one roof, the event features everything from open division tournaments and beginner clinics to paddle demos, food vendors, and youth exhibitions.

But what truly sets the event apart is the celebrity exhibition match, headlined each year by Brees and a celebrity. In 2024 it was Keegan Michael-Key from Key & Peele. In 2023 it was John McEnroe. This year Brees will compete against tennis legend Andre Agassi.

Brees, who took up the sport as teenager at a Texas summer camp, has become one of the sport’s biggest ambassadorssince retiring from football five years ago. “Pickleball is everything I loved about football—the competition, the camaraderie—but you don’t need 21 other people to play,” Brees said at last year’s event. “And you can play it at any age. That’s what makes it so special.”

Indeed, pickleball’s popularity has exploded nationwide. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, over 13.5 million people are now playing pickleball regularly in the U.S., up from just 5 million in 2021. The Gulf South, with its warm climate and deep recreational culture, has become a hotbed for courts, leagues, and festivals. Cities all along the coast and in Mississippi have all invested in public facilities, with local Rec Centers and parks adding courts at a rapid pace.

Organizers expect this year’s festival to draw over 5,000 attendees across the four-day event, with vendors ranging from paddle brands and fitness apparel to local food trucks.

Whether you’re a seasoned player, a curious beginner, or just a fan of watching former MVPs swing paddles, the 2025 Drew Brees NOLA Pickle Fest promises something for everyone. Doors open today at 10 a.m., with the celebrity match slated for Saturday night at 5p.m.

So grab your paddle, and get ready for the loudest dink shots in the South—pickleball is in town, and Drew Brees is serving.