At Black Desert Resort near St. George, Utah, USA, 21 state-of-the-art pickleball courts were born in spring 2026.PPA TourDesignated as the official venue for the "Greater Zion Cup," the world's top-class pros clash on these courts. We introduce the full picture of a new mecca where resort and sport fuse.
What Is Black Desert Resort: A Facility Nestled in the Spectacular Scenery of Lava Plateau and Red Rock
Located in Santa Clara, Utah, Black Desert Resort is a luxury resort designed to blend into the natural scenery of black lava and red rocky mountains. The 21 pickleball courts that opened in spring 2026 feature a design in harmony with this landscape. The very scenery surrounding the courts elevates the player's experience.
The championship court has spectator seating for 1,000. Furthermore, an additional 8 courts are planned, and once complete the total court count will be 29. As a dedicated pickleball facility, it's world-top-class in scale.
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Cutting-Edge Technology and Luxurious Amenities
What sets this court facility apart from others is the fusion of cutting-edge technology and luxurious amenities.
- Automated Ball Tracking: Automatically tracks the ball's trajectory and provides detailed analysis data
- Electronic Line-Call System: Fair judging that eliminates human error
- Swing & Movement Assessment: Analyzes players' movements to support performance improvement
- Heated & Misted Cabanas: VIP viewing areas with temperature control
- VIP Seating: Special seats offering the finest viewing experience
Managing partner Patrick Manning commented, "We aim for a facility that supports the local community and economy." PPA founder and CEO Connor Pardoe also said, "Southern Utah is a very special place for the PPA Tour," expressing hope for a long-term partnership.
The Greater Zion Cup: Results of the PPA Cup Event
The Greater Zion Cup, held March 23-29, 2026, is one of just five "Cup events" that exist on the Carvana PPA Tour. In the top-rated tournament, awarding 1,500 ranking points, the results of each event are as follows.
- Men's Singles Gold: Hunter Johnson def. Federico Staksrud
- Men's Doubles Gold: Gabe Tardio &Ben Johns
- Women's Doubles Gold：Anna Leigh Waters& Anna Bright
- Mixed Doubles Gold: Anna Leigh Waters & Ben Johns
Also, 15-year-old Tama Shimabukuro achieved the feat of advancing to the round of 16 in men's singles. The young Japanese player's performance gave great hope to the domestic pickleball world.
Ripple Effects on the Local Economy and Tourism
The opening of Black Desert Resort also contributes to the tourism and economic revitalization of the southern Utah region. The area around St. George is known as an outdoor tourism destination with Zion National Park and more, but with the birth of the pickleball facility, taking in a new customer segment of sports tourists is anticipated.
Through the long-term partnership with the PPA Tour, stable annual tournament hosting is expected, and the economic effect on the region is expected to be a sustained one.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. How many pickleball courts does Black Desert Resort have?
A. 21 as of its spring 2026 opening. In the future, 8 will be added, for a total of 29. The championship court has spectator seating for 1,000.
Q. What kind of tournament is the Greater Zion Cup?
A. It's one of the five Cup events that exist on the Carvana PPA Tour, a top-rated tournament awarding 1,500 ranking points. It was held March 23-29, 2026, at Black Desert Resort.
Q. What kind of player is Tama Shimabukuro?
A. A 15-year-old Japanese pickleball player who achieved the feat of advancing to the round of 16 in men's singles at the Greater Zion Cup. He's drawing attention as one of Japan's top young players.
References:
PR Newswire – Black Desert Resort Pickleball Courts & PPA Partnership
