MEDIA ALERT: Inaugural Congressional Pickleball Match
MEDIA ALERT:
INAUGURAL CONGRESSIONAL PICKLEBALL MATCH TO BRING “THE HILL” TO THE NATIONAL MALL FOR BIPARTISAN SPORT, FUN AND CHARITY
More than a dozen members to play America’s new favorite pastime on America’s Front Yard
The Trust for the National Mall and Congressional Sports for Charity, the presenters of the Congressional Baseball Game, will hold a Congressional Pickleball Match on September 18 featuring members of Congress, including a bipartisan group of U.S. senators and representatives, as well as members of the Pickleball Caucus.
This one-of-a-kind event brings together members of Congress to play in a friendly tournament and receive pro play demonstrations, plus opportunities for the public to watch from the stands and try their hand at pickleball on walk-on courts on the iconic National Mall. Proceeds will benefit 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.
To RSVP and secure a media credential, please contact Audrey Brown, abrown@nationalmall.org.
WHAT: Inaugural Congressional Pickleball Match
WHEN: Thursday, September 18, 2025, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM, Match Play to begin 6:30 PM
WHERE: National Mall at 12th St., near Smithsonian/National Mall metro
WHO: The following individuals will be available for interviews: TBD
Co-Chair & Player Roster (as of 9/8/25):
· Honorary Congressional Co-Chairs
o Senator Shelley Moore Capito (WV)
o Senator Joni Ernst (IA)
o Senator Andy Kim (NJ)
o Representative Jake Ellzey (TX)
o Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA)
o Representative Greg Stanton (AZ)
· Congressional Players:
o Representative Sharice Davids (KS)
o Representative Morgan Luttrell (TX)
o Senator Bernie Moreno (OH)
o Representative Dr. Greg Murphy (NC)
o Representative Johnny Olszewski (MD)
o Representative August Pfluger (TX)
o Representative Tom Suozzi (NY)
o Representative William Timmons (SC)
About the Trust for the National Mall: Trust for the National Mall is the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that partners with the National Park Service to bring private funding, project expertise and in-kind support to restore, preserve and elevate the National Mall and Lafayette Park. As we approach
America’s 250th in 2026, the Trust is leading a bold initiative to raise $250 million inspired by Americas 250th. The campaign will restore and beautify historic sites on the National Mall and build educational and volunteer experiences and programs to ensure the National Mall endures and inspires in 2026 and for generations to come. https://www.nationalmall250.org/
Congressional Sports for Charity: Over the last century, the Congressional Baseball Game’s popularity has contributed to its evolution into a foundation called Congressional Sports for Charity. Created in 2016, Congressional Sports for Charity provides support to worthy and effective charities serving vulnerable children and families in the Washington DC area as well as scholarships to deserving local youth. These charities include the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and the Washington Nationals Philanthropies along with the United States Capitol Police Memorial Fund in gratitude to the brave officers at the Republican practice shooting on June 14, 2017. https://www.congressionalbaseball.org/
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