Carl Zehr Square becomes pickleball court for charity Tuesday
Posted Aug 24, 2026 01:30:29 PM.
The fastest-growing sport in Canada will take over downtown Kitchener’s Carl Zehr Square on Tuesday for the return of the third annual Downtown Paddle Palooza Pickleball Festival.
From 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Aug. 25, Carl Zehr Square in front of Kitchener City Hall will become a “professional pickleball court” as part of the festival. Thirty-six teams from six different divisions will play on the “Paddle Palooza” tournament courts in their quest to win the festival’s main competition.
First-time, inexperienced pickleball players, as well as younger kids, can also learn the sports on a number of free-to-play courts on King Street.
Organizers say the festival grounds will also see a number of activities, pickleball-related vendors, live music, and an outdoor beer garden.
In addition to members of the public, the festival courts will also be played on by members of Ktichener City Council just after noon. Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic and other members of city council will take to the court between 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. to compete as part of the festivities.
Photos from the 2025 Downtown Paddle Palooza Pickleball Festival in Kitchener. (Courtesy of City of Kitchener)
Proceeds from the third annual Paddle Palooza Festival will support the City of Kitchener’s “Every Kid Counts program.”
EKC is a municipal program that strives to “make camp an option for every child and young person in Kitchener.” In 2025, according to the City of Kitchener’s webpage for the program, Every Kid Counts was able to provide 139 local kids with inclusion support at summer camps, as well as provide 243 weeks of support for children with disabilities.
Pickleball in Canada
The sport of pickleball is massively expanding within Canada, as a 2026 survey by Pickleball Canada says an estimated 1.8 million Canadians participate in the sport annually. On a provincial level, Ontario is home to more pickleball players than any other province, with Quebec and British Colombia coming second and third.
Younger demographics have begun to play the sport at a higher level in recent years, as Gen Z participation saw an 85 per cent increase nationally between 2024 and 2025.
Tuesday’s third annual Downtown Paddle Palooza Pickleball Festival will take place at Carl Zehr Square in front of Kitchener City Hall at 200 King St. W.
Learn more about the event and how to participate at the City of Kitchener’s web portal for the event.
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