Across all major sports, there are tournaments and events that athletes aim to compete in — and that spectators wish they could get front row seats to. Think the Super Bowl for football, Wimbledon for tennis, the Masters for golf. Now you can add the LT Open for pickleball to that list.
Life Time is aiming to make the LT Open one of those can’t-miss events with the launch of a singles-only pickleball tournament for elite players from all affiliations. Featuring an industry-leading $50,000 grand prize for each bracket and a $250,000 total prize purse, it will be a memorable event for players and spectators alike.
Life Time, also powered by the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), is well positioned to lead in this space: With 795 (and counting!) pickleball courts at more than 140 athletic country clubs across the country — plus its own LT Pro 48 pickleball designed for improved play — Life Time has embraced this growing sport while leading the way in innovation.
We spoke with Mike Melley, vice president of event operations at Life Time, and Lydia Hirt, vice president of pickleball marketing at Life Time, to learn more about the inaugural LT Open.
Life Time | What is the LT Open?
Mike Melley | The LT Open is our endeavor to create the world’s best singles pickleball tournament experience for both players and spectators alike. Singles is where we’re starting to see the level of the game grow in both player ability and excitement at an elite level.
Life Time is hosting this event in cooperation with the PPA, which has significant experience hosting professional tournaments. For the first time, their signed players, along with players from any other professional affiliation, will be competing on the same stage. We don’t typically get to see this many high-level athletes from different professional affiliations compete against one another.
The LT Open begins with a qualifying event at Life Time in Peachtree Corners, Ga., on October 11, 2025. The top 16 finishers will then advance to the main draw event on October 14, 2025. This event will additionally feature 64 of the world’s best men’s players and 64 of the world’s best female players, all competing to advance to the championship event on October 19, 2025. The main draw and championship events will also be held at Life Time Peachtree Corners.
Spectators are invited to attend the championship event and experience the energy; it will also be broadcast for those who are unable to attend in person.
There are so many things that excite me about this tournament. For one, “unknown” players could potentially play against a signed touring pickleball professional. Players will also be competing for the largest grand prize in the pickleball event industry.
LT | What level of player is this tournament for?
MM | This tournament is aimed at those who can compete at an elite level of singles pickleball. There will be separate men’s and women’s divisions. In a truly open event, anyone is allowed to participate — therefore, the LT Open is open to all players, regardless of affiliation. We’d like to see players ranging from collegiate national champions to USA Pickleball national champions to top touring pros from the Association of Pickleball Players (APP), the PPA, Major League Pickleball (MLP) — and more!
Lydia Hirt | There is also an opportunity for players who have never competed in an official pickleball tournament to come out and show their skills. Elite athletes of other sports — notably other racquet sports like tennis or racquetball — could also use this as an opportunity to come compete on a national stage.
Thousands of people followed the recent story of Alex Crum (also known as “AC Baby Baby”), the unsigned, unknown player who competed at the PPA Atlanta Slam and proceeded to take down the No. 1 seed and make a deep run in the singles bracket. Crum is a tennis coach who dabbled in pickleball and now — within the span of a few weeks — is a signed professional pickleball player.
We hope some of our existing stellar players and coaches throughout the Life Time ecosystem may be inspired to compete at the qualifiers. Anyone can be part of the story. You just might end up competing against — or on an adjacent court — to someone you’ve previously seen play on PickleballTV!
LT | What do you think people will find exciting about the LT Open event?
LH | Pickleball is such an important community activity and sport, and it’s still growing. To give players the opportunity to participate, other people the chance to spectate, and all to have this incredible experience at a pickleball tournament is going to be akin to those who travel to Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York from all over the world to see the US Open. The LT Open is going to be the pinnacle of experience and excellence. It’s an event you’ll want to be at and will be sad to miss if you only witness the highlights on a screen.
MM | We want this to be an event that people build their calendars around — it’s truly going to be the best of the best singles pickleball event. I’m excited that the LT Open is the first open format pickleball event — meaning you get to play against anybody. It doesn’t matter if you’re a contracted athlete on another tour or if you’re a Life Time member. There are also no age or skill divisions, just a men’s bracket and a women’s bracket.
We’re also offering an industry-leading grand prize. The winners of both the men’s and women’s brackets are guaranteed to walk away with $50,000 each. Other pickleball events do have prize purses that size or larger, but it’s split amongst several winners and divisions.
There will also be cash prizes for second, third, and other placements as well. There is a guaranteed prize purse of $250,000 for the championship.
Down the road, we are looking to scale this event and include more locations, more players, and larger prize purses, but we’re really excited about what the inaugural year will bring. We’re working to create the best experience we can for the athletes who are competing as well as the spectators who are going to cheer them on.
LT | What makes the LT Open different from other pickleball tournaments?
LH | An important differentiator is that this is a singles competition, not doubles. We think the format of singles pickleball and the sheer athleticism that will be on display will make for a very powerful experience for the spectators. It will highlight the skill, speed, and stamina required of these athletes in a way that doubles doesn’t.
If you play competitive pickleball, you know how hard it is to win those fire fights at the kitchen line. But if you’re watching at home, the athleticism and skills needed in hands battles aren’t as apparent. This could bring even more interest and curiosity to the sport.
MM | Because pickleball is still an emerging sport, there are inevitably growing pains. A lot of those growing pains exist in the tournament space but are easy to fix if you build your tournament around the experience for the athlete.
We’re utilizing world-class facilities that have a high concentration of courts that can be used for multiday events. This means we’re only expecting athletes to be on the court once or twice a day so they can be at their best while competing.
Athletes can expect to compete in best of three-out-of-five games against an opponent, with side-out scoring. Pickleball can be tremendously streaky — especially in singles. Often, when a player is on a roll, they can seem unstoppable. But it only takes one thing to break a streak and change momentum. That momentum shift can be the difference in a match finishing in a sweep or going the distance.
The really interesting thing about playing best of three-out-of-five games is we will see matches go a bit longer — one more game at minimum — which may create some opportunities for drama. We’re really hoping to see more matches go the distance! Who doesn’t love a game five?!
Singles pickleball also highlights athleticism in a way that doubles doesn’t because the player is responsible for 100 percent of the court and shots.
LT | I’m not a pickleball player but I want to see this event! What are the opportunities for spectators?
LH | We anticipate the LT Open will be the spectator pickleball event of the season! You can view all ticket options here.
Players of all levels and pickleball enthusiasts from Life Time clubs nationwide are invited to attend. All Life Time members can enjoy complimentary Grounds Access throughout the entire tournament. There will also be courtside access and VIP tickets available. You won’t want to miss seeing these elite athletes compete up close.
Come cheer for your favorite players, enjoy the fan activations, events, and play opportunities, and experience the grandeur that is the Life Time Peachtree Corners club — including its 30 pickleball courts. Maybe even take the time to stop by its outdoor Beach Club too.
We’re expanding on our current partnership with JOOLA as the official paddle of the LT Open, while Tyrol has come on as the official pickleball shoe. Plus, there will be a robust vendor village and the opportunity to engage with new and emerging brands and experiences — and expect some good parties!
If you can’t make it to Atlanta, you’ll be able to tune in via PickleballTV. It’ll be free to watch the Championship Court, or you can enjoy a 30-day free trial to watch the games happening on more courts.
LT | How can someone register for the LT Open?
MM | Registration is now live — see all details here. Reserve your spot or opt-in to be in the loop with spectator tickets and championship access. The entry fee is $299.
