Sports Non-Profit Sets Up Beta Test to Change the Networking-Business-Pickleball Community.

Pickleball keeps growing, and a new community platform wants to turn that growth into support for local businesses. The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) reports that 24.3 million Americans played pickleball in 2025, up from 4.2 million in 2020. Organizers say the court has become a natural place for networking, community events, fundraising, and corporate team-building.

A tournament for players who rarely get help

Aris Cato, founder and president of the nonprofit We Work We Pickleball says, "WWWPB wants to change how semi-professional Pickleball is viewed. Many athletes in the semi-professional tier of the sport give up time and money chasing a professional career with little support."

The group's answer is the We Work We Pickleball Vegas Open, a semi-professional mixed-doubles tournament planned to launch in 2027. The winning team is slated to receive:

• A pre-owned Mercedes-Benz to use as a team vehicle
• A one-year ambassadorship representing partnering national brands
• Hotel and resort relationships for athletes traveling to tournaments

A free directory for players and businesses

While it works toward full nonprofit status in Las Vegas, the organization has released a beta version of its platform at weworkwepickleball.com. Players and supporters can register for free, and local businesses can list themselves at no cost.

Organizers say members will be able to:

• Find players in their state and see which of them own businesses in the same Pickleball community
• Browse deals and discounts from national brands
• Contact local businesses for products and services
• Review and team up with players they meet on the court
• Create a free virtual business card to build a personal pickleball network

Organizers compare the platform's ambitions to a classified-and-directory service for the Pickleball community nationwide.

Why it matters for new businesses

Founder and President, Aris Cato says, "Advertising is critical for new businesses, particularly in their first three years. Free exposure to an engaged community of players is meant to help those businesses survive that critical stretch. While Las Vegas is a center for the sport of Pickleball, Central Florida is a second hot spot for growth."

Orlando Local News readers: Join the beta platform

Businesses and Pickleball athletes are invited to test the beta platform and help reach a goal of 250,000 free community members from Florida. When Florida reaches that number, one winner will receive an authenticated, autographed photo of Emmitt Smith, signed to the We Work We Pickleball nonprofit. It is a thank-you to readers who join before the national launch. We would like to hear what you think of the platform. President Cato reported that more incentives will be announced.

Sign up at weworkwepickleball.com.