International pickleball festival heads to Delta Tennis Centre, Swindon

On Monday 8 June 2026, Swindon24 reported that the Early Summer Festival run by Swindon Pickleball had sold out ahead of its weekend at the Delta Tennis Centre in Swindon.

The festival was scheduled for Saturday 13 June, 11am to 7pm, and Sunday 14 June, 10am to 6pm. Nearly 200 players from more than 50 clubs had entered, with visitors travelling from Hong Kong, Australia and Ireland as well as from around the UK.

What is pickleball?

Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, and the report described it as one of the fastest-growing participation sports in the world. The festival was to offer two days of matches plus social and community activities for all ages and abilities. Organisers said it showed Swindon's growing standing as a place to play, and that hundreds of players and supporters would bring trade to local businesses.

Fundraising at the festival

• A campaign was to be launched to build two permanent pickleball courts next to existing community sports facilities in Lesotho, so young people there can take part in organised sport. It was inspired by Swindon Pickleball chair Shaun Jones, who has links to Lesotho through the charity Kick4Life.
• The weekend was also to raise money for Helping Hands Catering, which gives young adults with special educational needs and disabilities paid work in catering, and which was to supply the food and refreshments.

Mr Jones said: "It is fantastic to see the continued growth of our festivals."

Source: Swindon24.