Pickleball’s growing popularity in the United States is increasingly extending beyond professional tournaments and recreational clubs, with the sport now becoming a major feature in celebrity charity events and fundraising initiatives. The upcoming 5th Annual Charity Golf & Pickleball Tournament organized by Global Lyme Alliance will bring together former NFL and MLB stars for a day-long fundraising event at Greenwich Country Club on June 8, 2026.
According to the report in GLA.org, the event will combine championship golf and pickleball competition alongside a Champions Award Dinner and charity auction later in the evening.
Several well-known sports personalities are expected to participate, including former NFL players Michael Strahan, Victor Cruz and Dante Hall, along with former MLB players Johnny Damon, Tino Martinez and Jim Leyritz.
Former athletes Shawn Chacón, Dhani Jones, Josh Booty, Jeff Nelson and Ron Darling are also among the invited guests for the fundraiser.
Organizers said proceeds from the event will support research, awareness programs and patient support initiatives related to Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.
Global Lyme Alliance stated that it has already connected more than 43,000 patients with specialists through its support programs.
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, typically transmitted through bites from infected black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks. If left untreated, the illness can lead to long-term neurological, muscular and health complications.
The inclusion of pickleball within the charity event further reflects the sport’s expanding cultural footprint across the United States.
Once viewed primarily as a recreational community activity, pickleball has increasingly become part of celebrity sporting events, corporate tournaments and fundraising programs due to its accessibility and social appeal.
The sport’s lower physical demands compared to traditional racket sports have also made it attractive for former professional athletes seeking competitive but less physically taxing activities after retirement.
As pickleball continues expanding commercially across North America, its growing presence inside celebrity and charity events highlights how the sport is steadily moving into mainstream American sporting culture.
