Congressional Pickleball Match Debuts on the National Mall
Congressional Pickleball MaKES ITS debut on the National Mall
The Inaugural Congressional Pickleball Match brought “The Hill” to the National Mall for an unforgettable evening of bipartisan sport, fun and charity on September 18, featuring America’s new favorite pastime on America’s Front Yard.
The Trust for the National Mall was proud to team up with Congressional Sports for Charity, the presenters of the Congressional Baseball Game, for this inaugural match, featuring a bipartisan group of U.S. senators and representatives, including members of the Pickleball Caucus. Generous sponsors of the event included Toyota and AARP, with in-kind support from Anheuser Bush, Joola and the Sports, Fitness and Industry Association.
Nine members of Congress battled it out against the backdrop of the U.S Capitol building and the great green lawn of the National Mall, with a breathtaking view of the setting sun at the Washington Monument. The round robin tournament featured play on both Center Court and side courts. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (WV) served as the unofficial captain for the event, hitting the courts with Senate colleagues Sen. Bernie Moreno (OH), Sen. Andy Kim (NJ) and Sen. Kristin Gillibrand (NY). Rep. Sharice Davids (KS) and Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA) brought A-game and hustle to the courts. Rep. Morgan Luttrell (TX) Rep. August Pfluger (TX) teamed up to make for a formidable duo in matching game jerseys from the Lone Star State. And Sen. Kim made it a family affair, bringing several generations onto the court for a Kim-family pickleball exhibition game.
As fans of politics and pickleball filled the stands at sundown, the final match saw Sen. Capito and Sen. Moreno take on Rep. Davids and Rep. Ellzey with fast-paced footwork, dinks, dives and battles “in the kitchen.” Senators Capito and Moreno came out on top as 2025 Congressional Pickleball champions!
"Each year baseball, America’s pastime, brings Red and Blue together for a friendly but competitive game that raises millions of dollars for local charities. Congressional Sports for Charity was proud to bring Republicans and Democrats together on America’s Front Yard for a charity pickleball tournament, once again proving that, while there may be many things that we can find to divide us, sports give us a way to unite. " — Mark Johnson, Chair, Congressional Sports for Charity Foundation
This one-of-a-kind event brought together members of Congress to play in a friendly tournament with proceeds benefitting the Trust for the National Mall’s mission with the National Park Service to restore, preserve and enrich the National Mall and support the official charities of Congressional Sports for Charity.
“Over the last three years, the National Mall of Pickleball has brought together thousands of players of all ages and backgrounds, and tens of thousands of fans from around the country, and inspired unity through sport. We were thrilled to kick off this year's event with a Congressional Pickleball Match and bring members from both sides of the aisle together for sport and fun in support of the National Mall." — Catherine Townsend, President & CEO, Trust for the National Mall.
Interested in joining us as a partner for the 2026 Congressional Pickleball Match on the National Mall? Contact Cristina Blough at cblough@nationalmall.org.
Special Thanks to Our 2025 Honorary Congressional Co-Chairs
Senator Shelley Moore Capito (WV)
Senator Joni Ernst (IA)
Senator Andy Kim (NJ)
Representative Jake Ellzey (TX)
Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA)
Representative Greg Stanton (AZ)
Thank You to Our 2025 On-Court Congressional Players
Senator Shelley Moore Capito (WV)
Senator Andy Kim (NJ)
Representative Jake Ellzey (TX)
Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA)
Senator Kirstin Gillibrand (NY)
Senator Bernie Moreno (OH)
Representative Sharice Davids (KS)
Representative Morgan Luttrell (TX)
Representative August Pfluger (TX)
Event photography by AE Landes Photography for the Trust for the National Mall, with contributions by Congressional Sports for Charity and Trust for the National Mall staff.