Professional pickleball is coming to Avalon, with a projected $1 million worth of economic benefit, according to Mayor Martin Pagliughi.

The Association of Pickleball Professionals will hold the APP New Jersey Classic from Sept. 6 to 10, just after Labor Day 2023, putting it on the tour between Chicago and Atlanta.

Avalon installed 10 pickleball courts at Eighth Street in 2018 with 10 more courts planned to be completed in 2023. 

According to Monday’s press conference, in addition to an estimated $1 million in direct economic benefit, the NJ Classic will mean 1,000 overnight stays in the area, which brings extra tourism dollars to surrounding communities as well.

Ken Hermann, the founder of the Association of Pickleball Professionals and its CEO, flew in from Chicago for the press conference. The APP is sanctioned by USA Pickleball and is an official Pro Tour Partner.

“This is a pretty big thing for not just Avalon, but for Cape May County,” Pagliughi said. “This is not just going to be Avalon. This is going to be a regional event.”

He added that with the additional courts in the works, Avalon will have “one of the premier facilities in the East Coast.”

“I think the pride and joy of New Jersey is the APP Pickleball Tournament in September,” he said.

In addition to Avalon, the tour will include venues in New York, Los Angeles, Houston and Saint Louis.