This Antigua All-Inclusive Resort Is Bringing Pickleball Champions to the Caribbean

A pickleball bounces off a paddle a few steps from the sand. The trade winds are blowing across Antigua’s northeast coast. Beyond the courts, the water shifts between turquoise and deep blue. This June, that scene at The Verandah Antigua will include some of the biggest names in the sport — on an island that has become famous for it.

The adults-only Antigua resort is launching a new event called The Pickleball Pro Series, a multi-day program running from June 8 through June 17, 2026, bringing professional instruction, clinics and camps to one of the Caribbean’s fastest-growing pickleball destinations.

It’s another sign of how quickly pickleball tourism is growing across the region, with resorts increasingly building dedicated courts and creating programming designed specifically for traveling players.

A Major Pickleball Week in Antigua

The headline name is Frank Solana, the 2022 U.S. Open Pickleball Champion, founder of Luna Pickleball Academy and one of the sport’s most recognizable instructors.

Solana will lead five days of complimentary guest clinics beginning June 8, with each session focusing on a different part of the game.

Topics include serving with depth and spin, return strategies, third-shot decision-making, volley techniques and reset shots designed to help players advance their overall court awareness and consistency.

The instruction culminates in a two-day intensive camp on June 13 and 14. The premium program includes 12 hours of instruction and costs $600 per person, along with either a Luna paddle or a personalized video analysis.

Guests can reserve both the complimentary clinics and the premium camp through the resort’s Guest Services team.

Another Big Name Joins the Lineup

The resort is also welcoming Shea Underwood, a professional pickleball player, instructor and content creator who has built one of the sport’s largest social media audiences.

Underwood’s clinic is scheduled for June 17 at 9:30 a.m. and will focus on practical techniques designed to help recreational players improve consistency, court positioning and confidence during match play.

The event will also include a visit from Danea Zeigle, founder of All Things Pickleball, whose platform focuses on pickleball-focused travel experiences and destinations around the world.

The Caribbean’s Growing Pickleball Destination

The new series follows another major pickleball event recently hosted at The Verandah Antigua featuring world number one player Ben Johns.

That momentum is part of a broader investment by Elite Island Resorts, which has expanded pickleball offerings across its Antigua portfolio.

The Verandah currently has four dedicated pickleball courts, all purpose-built and equipped with lighting for evening play. Across Elite Island Resorts’ Antigua properties, there are now 19 pickleball courts, making it one of the region’s most active resort pickleball networks.

The strategy is straightforward: create reasons for players to travel specifically for pickleball while combining the sport with one of the Caribbean’s most popular beach destinations.

“Pickleball is changing where people travel to play, and we want Antigua at the front of that wave,” said Kari Tarnowski, Chief Commercial Officer of Elite Island Resorts.

Why It Matters for Travelers

The rise of pickleball vacations has become one of the biggest trends in active travel. Resorts across the Caribbean are increasingly adding courts, tournaments and instruction programs as more travelers look for experiences that combine sports with beach destinations.

At The Verandah Antigua, that means you can spend the morning working on your third-shot drop with a U.S. Open champion and the afternoon at one of the resort’s beaches, pools or waterfront restaurants.

For players looking to improve their game, opportunities to train directly with professionals while on vacation remain relatively uncommon, particularly at all-inclusive resorts.

A Limited-Time Resort Offer

Guests booking a stay can also take advantage of a current promotion that includes a free fifth night and a complimentary room upgrade when booked by June 30, 2026, for travel through September 30, 2026.

Where to Stay

The event takes place at The Verandah Antigua, the adults-only all-inclusive resort on Antigua’s northeast coast. The property includes multiple pools, four dedicated pickleball courts, two beaches, a golf course, sailing activities and a collection of restaurants and bars spread across the waterfront resort.

For pickleball players looking for a Caribbean trip with built-in instruction from some of the sport’s most recognizable names, Antigua is making a strong case this summer.

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