Rhythm & Rally Sports & Events, the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility, announces a landmark partnership with the Southern Pickleball Association. The agreement names Southern Pickleball the exclusive external operator of amateur tournaments at the state-of-the-art venue. This collaboration marks a full-circle moment for both organizations and solidifies Macon’s rising reputation as "The Center of the Pickleverse."

Over the past four years, Southern Pickleball has established a strong presence in Macon, hosting events that routinely draw record-breaking participation. This includes more than 850 players at both the Candy Cane Classic (2025) and Macon Love (2024). The inaugural Southern Pickleball Championship brought in over 1,200 players from 21 states and has since become one of the largest amateur-only pickleball tournaments ever held. The continued growth of these events reflects the strength of the partnership and the momentum behind Macon’s rise as a premier pickleball destination.

“We’re incredibly proud to become the exclusive tournament provider for Rhythm & Rally, the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility. Macon has been the cornerstone of Southern Pickleball’s growth over the past four years, and the city’s passionate pickleball community, world-class outdoor venue at Tattnall Pickleball Center, and now the dream facility that is Rhythm & Rally make it a true hub for the sport. We look forward to this exciting partnership and to helping Macon continue its rise as the Center of the Pickleverse,” said Paul Midkiff, Co-Founder of Southern Pickleball.

Since its founding in 2021, Southern Pickleball has hosted over 200 tournaments, welcoming more than 30,000 players to its courts across 10 Southeastern states. In 2024 alone, the organization produced over 80 events in 10 states, a clear sign of its strong reputation for delivering professionally managed, community-driven tournaments.

Through this formalized partnership, Southern Pickleball will now host a minimum of six amateur tournaments annually at Rhythm & Rally. Fan-favorite events, including Macon Love, Beat the Heat, and the Candy Cane Classic, are confirmed to return each year through at least 2030. Additionally, the Southern Pickleball Championship is slated to return to Rhythm & Rally at the conclusion of 2024.

To commemorate the partnership, Southern Pickleball will become the facility’s first-ever Pod Sponsor, securing naming rights for Courts 21 through 24. The agreement also includes collaborative sponsorship opportunities, reflecting a shared commitment to elevating the sport and enriching the player experience. Together, they are setting the standard for what's possible in amateur tournament play, reinforcing Macon’s emergence as a premier destination for both regional and national competition.

“Southern Pickleball has set the standard for event operations across the Southeast, and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with them. Their ability to turn tournaments into true community experiences is exactly what the sport needs as it continues to grow. At Rhythm & Rally, we believe pickleball is more than a game. It’s a movement, and this partnership ensures we’ll continue building that movement together in Macon, Georgia, through the end of the decade,” said John Roberts, General Manager of Rhythm & Rally Sports & Events.

This partnership is more than a calendar of events; it’s a strategic investment in the future of the sport. Together, Rhythm & Rally and Southern Pickleball are shaping the future of amateur pickleball in the Southeast.