Frequently Asked Questions

About the National Mall of Pickleball

1. What is the National Mall of Pickleball?

The National Mall of Pickleball is back for year two! The Trust for the National Mall and Humana are hosting a three-day monumental event, National Mall of Pickleball, celebrating America’s most intergenerational sport from September 27th through September 29th on eleven temporary courts in the shadow of the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. The weekend is themed “One for the Ages,” showcasing a new era of pickleball – one that is better when multiple generations play together, giving picklers a chance to share their stories and form new, intergenerational friendships. The National Mall of Pickleball is a free event – and is open to all. We look forward to having you join us again for this monumental occasion! Please check out our event page to learn more about the event: https://nationalmall.org/pickleball. 

2. When is the National Mall of Pickleball happening? 

The 3-day event is taking place Friday, September 27 through Sunday, September 29. The registration table will open at 11:00am on Friday and 8:00am on Saturday and Sunday. 

Friday September 27
11:30am to 8:00pm (Walk-on Courts 11:30am - 2:00pm, 5:30pm - 8:00pm)

Saturday September 28
8:00am to 6:00pm (Walk-on Courts 9:00am - 10:00am, 1:30pm - 6:00pm)

Sunday September 29
9:00am to 2:00pm (Walk-on Courts 9:00am - 1:00pm)

3. Where is the National Mall of Pickleball happening?

The eleven temporary pickleball courts will be constructed on the JFK Hockey Fields, adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, on the National Mall. The exact address is 1964 Independence Avenue Southwest. See here to save the location to your Google Maps: National Mall of Pickleball Location.

 
 

4. What sort of activities are planned? 

The weekend will be filled with pickleball events you won’t want to miss! Everything from a media match among local D.C. newsrooms and a DMV league tournament to pickleball clinics and intergenerational duos selected from all over the country. In addition, the D.C. Pickleball Team pros will be playing a huge role every day. Check out last year’s event to get an idea of all the fun we had on the courts in the meantime:  https://nationalmall.org/pickleball2023 

5. I’ve heard a lot about the pickleball craze, but I don’t know how to play / I don’t have my own paddle. Can I still participate? 

That’s no problem! Pickleball is the most accessible, friendly and fastest-growing multi-generational sport in the U.S., and the National Mall of Pickleball is meant to celebrate that! You can visit the official USA Pickleball Website to learn the rules of the game or find one of our Ambassadors on-site for tips. We will also have plenty of pickleball paddles and balls available at our equipment tent that we are happy to lend to participants. 

6. How much does it cost? 

The National Mall of Pickleball is a free event for the public and made possible through the generosity of Humana, the Humana Foundation and the Trust for the National Mall.


7. How can I stay up-to-date on the National Mall of Pickleball?

8. How do I get there? Will there be parking?

There are a few ways to get to the National Mall of Pickleball on the JFK Hockey Fields: 

  • Bus: DC Circulator National Mall route provides access around the National Mall and other uptown sites. Visit here for more information. The bus stop at the Lincoln Memorial Circle (Stop ID: 1003858) or MLK Jr. Memorial (Stop ID: 1003867) provides the most direct access to JFK Hockey Fields. 

  • Metro: Schedule and stops can be found here, with the Smithsonian stop being the closet.

  • Bikeshare: Options are available throughout the city, for more information click here. Pickup/drop off are available at the Lincoln Memorial as well as 17th & Independence Ave SW. 

  • Car: If you are planning on parking within the National Park, please reference the parking FAQ here.  Street metered parking is available on:

    • Ohio Drive SW in West Potomac Park (between Independence Ave and Inlet Bridge)

    • West Basin Drive SW (entire length, between Ohio Drive and Independence Avenue)

9. Is the National Mall of Pickleball ADA-accessible? 

Yes, the pickleball courts and all elements of the National Mall of Pickleball are ADA compliant.  

Pickleball is the most accessible, friendly and fastest-growing multi- generational sport, and we designed the court layout and programming to enable all people of all accessibilities the opportunity to experience the amazing game of pickleball.  

10. Will there be food?

No, however there are usually plenty of food trucks near the National Mall that have food and beverages available for purchase. We will have water available on-site at no cost. 

11. What’s the plan if it rains? Is there a rain date? 

Some areas of the event will be covered, but we will also be monitoring the weather very closely. In the event of inclement weather, we will send out clear communications on which activities will still be possible.


Participation in the National Mall of Pickleball

12. Sounds fun! I’d like to play. How can I sign up?

There are two ways for the public to play at the National Mall of Pickleball – you can sign up in advance or show up for walk-on play. 

  • Online bookings will go live for a limited number of courts and clinics on September 18th at 12:00 PM ET on the National Mall of Pickleball’s Pickleball Den club page. Sign up now to be a member so you can reserve your spot immediately. Last year, reservations filled up in under two minutes!

  • If you don’t get a reservation, not to worry, other courts will be reserved for those who show up onsite for walk-on play. You can visit our registration table where a National Mall of Pickleball representative will add you to the walk-on rotation. 

13. How do I reserve a court or clinic?

Step 1: Become a member of our Pickleball Den club.

Step 2: On September 18th at 12:00 PM ET, sign-up sheets will become available. Find and click the green “SIGN ME UP” button on the upper right-hand side of the timeslot you want. Timeslots are for one person, for one hour, on open play courts – you may sort yourselves by skill/level on-site. 

Step 3: Get ready to play! 

Because courts are limited, we kindly ask that you not reserve more than one time slot for yourself. We reserve the right to cancel any duplicate bookings.

14. What will I learn during the Clinics with the D.C. Pickleball Team?

You’ll learn how to dink, drive and rally from the best! The clinics and lessons, organized by skill level, will be taught by professionals and certified coaches. The beginner level will teach the foundations of the game – rules of point play, how to serve, volley and score while the intermediate and advanced sessions will focus more on technique, court positioning, third shot drops/drives and dinking on the move.

15. Courts are booked up. Is there a waitlist? 

There will be an option on Pickleball Den to sign up for a waitlist for each timeslot. If you are number one on the waitlist and someone cancels, you will be the first to be notified of that opening. We also invite you to show up for walk-on play. You can visit our on-site registration table where a National Mall of Pickleball representative will add you to the walk-on rotation.

16. I can’t make the time I signed up for. Can you reschedule me? 

Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate rescheduling requests, and we kindly ask that you cancel your reservation so others can enjoy the court. You can join the waitlist for another timeslot that suits your schedule. 

17. What happens if I’m running late? 

Unfortunately, we cannot hold the courts. We ask players to please check in at the registration table 15 minutes before your designated court time to receive your court assignment and ensure you have signed waivers. Reservations will be considered a ‘no-show’ if players do not check in 5 minutes before the designated court time; court time will be released and given to walk-on participants.

18. I love pickleball! How many hours of court time can I reserve? 

While we would love to accommodate unlimited hours of play for passionate picklers, we want to make sure as many people as possible have a chance to make a dink on history at the National Mall of Pickleball. We kindly ask that you not reserve more than one time slot for yourself and your teammate. We reserve the right to cancel any duplicate bookings. Of course, if our walk-on courts are open, you are welcome to register on-site to be added to the walk-on rotation. 

19. I’m not interested in playing pickleball, but I’d like to check out the event. Do I have to register?

Nope! No advance registration is required but with three days of action-packed programming, make sure to mark your calendar and see what the National Mall of Pickleball is all about.

And, if you change your mind and want to get in on some healthy competition – whether you’ve played before or not – we’ll be happy to add you to the walk-on rotation and equip you with a paddle for the session. Just be sure to wear sneakers and activewear! 

20. What do I need to bring? 

The good news is you don’t need much! For your safety, we are requiring players to wear sneakers and active wear on the courts, and you’ll need to bring your identification for registration. Other than that, we’ll have the rest: pickleball paddles, balls, water and plenty of National Mall of Pickleball swag to take home!

21. What if I get hurt? 

We have taken every precaution to ensure that this is a safe and fun event. Please make sure to wear comfortable sneakers and activewear, otherwise you will not be allowed to play. In the event that you do get hurt, we will have a medical tent on-site. All players must sign injury liability waivers to play.


About Humana and The Trust for the National Mall Partnership 

22. Why are Humana and The Trust for the National Mall partners?

To preserve a vibrant space where everyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to connect, be active and live their healthiest lives, The Trust for the National Mall, Humana and The Humana Foundation are partnering to bring awareness to its mission and its importance to American democracy. 

As we approach the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026, it is not only critical—but imperative—to ensure that the National Mall thrives and endures as a powerful platform of unity and innovation.

As pickleball has its American moment, the National Mall of Pickleball gives all of us occasion to rediscover the National Mall and recommit ourselves to ensuring its preservation and vibrancy for many years to come.

Every year, the National Mall hosts more than 36 million visits – more than the top five US National Parks combined, yet it collects no entrance fees. The Trust for the National Mall is dedicated to restoring, enriching and preserving the National Mall. Through private donations, special projects and programs, the Trust helps elevate the National Mall, its history and its purpose as a symbol of our nation’s ideals and civic purpose. Events like the National Mall of Pickleball are examples of generous donations and innovative ideas from partners like Humana. To learn more about the National Mall and how you can help preserve the iconic space for future generations, you can visit: https://nationalmall.org/support 

23. What happens after the National Mall of Pickleball? 

The popularity of the game has skyrocketed and far out-paced the number of public courts available. There is a growing need for more pickleball court space, and Humana and The Trust for the National Mall are currently exploring additional ways to increase access to the life-changing sport, in D.C. and in communities across the country. 

In the meantime, Humana Neighborhood Centers, a community resource for seniors, offers pickleball programming throughout the year to provide seniors an accessible and easy way to stay active and healthy.