Winter is coming, and for the Gilbert community, this means the clinking sounds of pickleball will be echoing more frequently through the courts at Gilbert Regional Park. According to an announcement from the town of Gilbert, local pickleball enthusiasts will need to take note of some temporary closures as the park will be hosting a series of tournaments in the coming months.
According to the Gilbert Town Hall, starting with the AZIAPL Private Tournament, courts 1-8 will be out of commission for regular play from the afternoon of November 1 until 8:00 PM on November 2. High school players looking to get social with their peers should pencil in the evening of November 25th, when the courts will once again be devoted exclusively to tournament play. The courts will also see action over the holidays with the "Pickleball is Great Holiday Classic" taking over from December 26 until the 28.
Those hoping to start the New Year with a pickleball serve will have to wait until after the "More Bang for the Buck Tournament," which is scheduled for early January. And, rounding out the winter pickleball mania will be the "2026 Winter Classic Tournament," with courts booked solid from February 20-22. Once each tournament concludes, the courts will reopen to the public, ready for the local community to enjoy once again released by Gilbert Town Hall.
During tournament days, the courts are expected to be crowded, operating on a first-come, first-served basis. When court capacity tops out, players are encouraged to follow a court rotation system. But, don't fret, pickleball players who find themselves without a court can check out the nearby Arbuckle Park and Arrowhead Meadows Park for alternatives.
Regulars and interested newcomers who want to keep up with the latest pickleball updates can sign up for emails through Gilbert's official page, the link to which is provided in the town announcement. Keep your paddles ready, and make sure to plan your pickleball outings around the tournament schedule this winter season.
