The second annual Borough President’s Pickleball Cup, organized by Staten Island’s Borough President Vito Fossella, launched on Saturday at the new Premiere Pickleball facility in Richmond Valley. This year’s two-day event celebrates Staten Island’s growing pickleball community and showcases the increasing popularity of the sport. The tournament, co-sponsored by USA Pickleball, is not only the first official event of its kind on the island but also marks the continuation of an initiative that first made Staten Island the first borough to host a sanctioned pickleball tournament last year.
Held at the sprawling venue formerly known as RollerJam USA, the tournament saw competitive play in the Mixed Doubles category on Saturday morning, followed by Women’s Doubles in the afternoon. With players representing various parts of the city and beyond, including Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, this year’s event saw a notable increase in participation. Benjamin Chua, the local ambassador for USA Pickleball, pointed out that the tournament’s expanded reach demonstrates the growing appeal of the sport, which continues to gain traction not only in Staten Island but nationwide.
One of the key changes this year was the shift in scheduling. Traditionally held over Columbus Day weekend, the event was moved to accommodate the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. Chua confirmed that the tournament will return to its usual October dates next year. Due to the unavailability of the College of Staten Island to host the event this year, the tournament found a new home at the Premiere Pickleball facility, an impressive venue that opened earlier this year. Located at 236 Richmond Valley Road, this modern space has already received a warm reception from the local community, with facility owner Arthur McCarthy noting that the venue hosts a rapidly growing league, currently home to 80 teams with projections to surpass 100 in the upcoming winter season.
The facility, which was designed and built in just 63 days, has become a hub for local pickleball enthusiasts. McCarthy, a longtime builder and designer, spoke passionately about the satisfaction of creating a space where people could come together and enjoy the sport. He shared that the venue has already begun to attract local schools, with over seven scheduled visits and many more expected in the future. McCarthy emphasized the joy that comes from seeing new friendships form in the space, underscoring the social aspect of the sport.
The tournament continues on Sunday with more action in the Mixed Doubles category from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by Men’s Doubles from 2 to 7 p.m. The event not only celebrates the rise of pickleball but also strengthens the sense of community among residents and athletes from all over the New York City area. With each passing year, the Borough President’s Pickleball Cup continues to solidify Staten Island’s place as a key destination for pickleball lovers.