Wisconsin PPA Challenger Event

Go Chippewa County is thrilled to announce that the Village of Lake Hallie and Eau Claire have been selected to host the Wisconsin PPA Challenger, a new tournament event in the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Challenger Series, taking place July 24–27, 2025, at Lake Hallie Pickleball at Gower Park and Northstar Middle School Eau Claire.

The tournament will be held July 24 – 27, 2025, at Lake Hallie Pickleball at Gower Park and North Star Middle School. In collaboration with the Chippewa Valley Pickleball Club, Visit Eau Claire and Go Chippewa County will work together to assist with organizing and executing the event. There will be a $15,000 prize purse for the event provided by the PPA and Nicolet Law. This tournament will also feature a unique opportunity for players and fans to witness senior master level players vying for a $20,000 purse provided by Markquart Motors. This will be the largest purse for any Challenger Series and Senior Pro event this year.

Registration is OPEN TO ALL. We encourage everyone interested in playing in the Wisconsin PPA Challenger to register as registration is now open. Ticketing for the PPA Tour Challenger Series will be powered by TIXR. All pro and amateur players will receive a grounds pass with their fee to participate in the event. There will also be $15 grounds pass tickets for sale to friends, family, and fans. If you’d like to buy tickets for this event, visit this page.

“We’ve been excited to create more grassroots opportunities for amateur players, as well as a structured pathway to the Carvana PPA Tour for aspiring professionals, and we have done just that with the Challenger Series Powered by JOOLA,” said Connor Pardoe, Founder & CEO of the Carvana PPA Tour. “This new tour will not only elevate the level of play but also inspire and motivate amateurs to reach new heights in their pickleball journey while bringing the PPA Tour’s brand of electric pickleball action to new levels of intensity.”

Championship Court action from the Wisconsin PPA Challenger will be streamed LIVE on the NEW Tennis Channel app.

To register to play, visit the PPA Tour Wisconsin PPA Challenger web page.

If you are interested in volunteering for the event, you can sign up here.

Spectator tickets can be pre-purchased on the PPA Site. Use code WISCO10 to receive 10% off spectator tickets.

EASY TO GET HERE, HARD TO LEAVE:

Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, WI, are a quick and easy trip—just hop on the highway or catch a short flight and you’re here. With smooth travel and scenic views, your next pickleball adventure is closer than you think!

GETTING HERE:

By Air: The Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (EAU airport code) offers direct flights arriving from and departing to O’Hare Airport daily, helping to reduce parking costs, overnight stays and mileage expenses. Ground transportation services are available on-site. Make sure you check out the Hangar 54 Grill for a delicious pre/post-travel meal.

Shuttle from Airport: The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is about a 1.5-hour drive away from Eau Claire and offers hourly shuttles. Services like Green Fleet or Groome Transportation offer sustainable transportation options to and from this airport to get you to your desired destination.

By Car: Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls are located in the west-central part of Wisconsin right off I-94. Your excursion from other large Midwestern cities like Milwaukee and Madison, WI, Chicago, IL, and Minneapolis, Duluth and Rochester, MN, and others will put you in the vacation mindset.

GETTING AROUND THE AREA:

Parking: In areas around the two Pickleball facilities and other areas in our communities, parking is free. If you are planning to explore the downtowns of Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls parking is free and easily accessible to area businesses. The only caution is to pay attention to how long you may park in a given parking area.

Uber/Lyft/Taxi: Explore all of Eau Claire and Chippewa Fall’s taxi’s services or use the popular Uber or Lyft services to schedule a ride when you need it. Most hotels to the pickleball venues are less than a 15 minute ride.

THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY:

The Chippewa Valley blends urban energy with small-town charm, stretching across 8,000 scenic square miles and home to around 200,000 people. Communities like Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Altoona, Lake Hallie, and Menomonie each have their own personality—but good luck telling where one ends and the next begins! Locals and visitors alike enjoy all the area has to offer, no matter which community they’re in.

With more than 40 pickleball courts, endless waterways and trails, and a lineup of local wineries, breweries, and distilleries near delicious restaurants—you’ll quickly see why people love playing (and staying) here.

Explore more of the area, visit this page.