Punta Cana International Pickleball Open positioned the Dominican Republic as a rising destination for Caribbean sports tourism after bringing nearly 300 players from 18 countries to the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center from June 19 to 21, 2026.
Hosted at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center within the Meliá Hotels International complex, the three-day event combined competitive pickleball, entertainment, and international networking. ZEL Punta Cana served as the official venue for the tournament, which drew players across multiple categories and skill levels.
The inaugural edition of the Punta Cana International Pickleball Open welcomed 292 competitors, reflecting the rapid international growth of pickleball and its appeal among both experienced racket-sport athletes and new players. Participants traveled from 18 countries, turning the tournament into a meeting point for visitors, local enthusiasts, sports professionals, and tourism stakeholders.
Mexican players Ricardo Via and Eric Trujillo were among the tournament’s winners, highlighting the event’s international competitive level. Beyond the results on the court, organizers said the tournament demonstrated that pickleball can serve as a platform for cultural exchange, tourism promotion, and cross-generational connections.
The event also reinforced Punta Cana’s potential to expand its sports tourism offering beyond beach vacations, golf, and traditional resort activities. With its international airport, extensive hotel infrastructure, and growing selection of recreational facilities, Punta Cana is increasingly seeking to attract travelers who combine leisure with wellness, competition, and active experiences.
“This tournament demonstrated that Punta Cana has the infrastructure, human talent, and spirit to become a permanent venue for international sports,” said Mynor Espinoza, Senior Director of Operations for Meliá Hotels International in the Dominican Republic. “The fact that the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center hosted this event is a powerful indication of the value and potential that this destination offers to the Caribbean and the world.”
The Punta Cana International Pickleball Open was made possible through the collaboration of three key entities. Tournament organizers provided the competitive format and international reach, while the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center contributed professional-level courts and the reputation of a globally recognized sports brand. Meliá Hotels International supported the event through its hospitality infrastructure and destination experience.
For Punta Cana, the successful first edition offers a model that can be developed and repeated in the future. The combination of elite competition, hotel accommodations, international visitors, and entertainment creates an opportunity to strengthen the region’s position in the fast-growing pickleball tourism market.
As pickleball continues to gain popularity across North America, Latin America, and Europe, events such as the Punta Cana International Pickleball Open could help establish the Dominican Republic as a regular stop on the international sports calendar, bringing new visibility and tourism revenue to Punta Cana.
