The Carvana Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour has entered into a landmark multi-decade partnership to assume full control of year-round pickleball operations at the Arizona Athletic Grounds (AAG) in Mesa. This strategic move transforms the 41-court facility into the official PPA Campus, establishing a permanent national hub for professional competition, athlete development, and amateur programming.
Planned Upgrades and Campus Initiatives
Beyond simply taking over management, the PPA Tour has committed to a significant capital investment to enhance the facility's infrastructure and utility. The organization has outlined several key areas of focus for the campus:
- Additional Shade: Recognizing the challenges of the Arizona climate, the PPA plans to install more shade structures to improve the experience for both players and spectators.
- Enhanced Seating: The campus will receive seating upgrades to better accommodate large crowds, building upon the existing Championship Stadium that currently holds approximately 2,000 fans.
- Expanded Tournament Schedule: The PPA intends to host more frequent tournaments at the site, leveraging the facility's 41 courts and four dedicated medal courts.
- Professional and Amateur Training: The site will serve as a year-round training destination for elite pros, while also offering structured development opportunities for amateur players.
- Junior Programming: A core pillar of the new agreement is the implementation of dedicated initiatives to foster the growth of the sport among younger athletes.
This agreement marks a significant evolution from the PPA’s previous arrangement with the venue. In February 2026, the two organizations had only guaranteed two annual PPA Tour events through 2028. However, the overwhelming success of the 2025 Carvana Mesa Cup—which drew nearly 19,000 fans and generated over $300,000 in ticket revenue—convinced leadership that a permanent, year-round presence was the logical next step. For the PPA, the deal provides a rare asset in the world of professional sports: a large-scale, permanent home base that they can program and operate throughout the entire calendar year.
The transition of the Arizona Athletic Grounds represents a major turnaround for the complex. Originally opened in 2022 as Bell Bank Park, the 320-acre facility faced significant financial instability, including a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2023. Since being acquired by AZ Athletic Associates LLC for $25.8 million later that year, the venue has seen a resurgence, reporting 2.8 million visitors in 2025. By integrating the PPA’s operational expertise, the campus aims to solidify its status as a premier destination for the sport, coming full circle from when Mesa hosted the very first PPA Tour event in 2020.
