Play pickleball in Rio Rancho the weekend of April 24–26, 2026, to support New Mexico children with disabilities through the Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation’s Pickleball Palooza tournament. Santa Fe players can make the short drive south to compete, volunteer, or donate, knowing every match helps fund adaptive sports and financial assistance for kids with disabilities across the state.
What is Pickleball Palooza near Santa Fe?
Pickleball Palooza is a three-day charity pickleball tournament held at Defined Pickleball in Rio Rancho, about an hour from Santa Fe, New Mexico. The event benefits the Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds adaptive sports and financial assistance for New Mexico children withdisabilities.
Players of all experience levels compete in organized brackets while raising money for adaptive equipment, recreational programs, and financial support for children with disabilities and their families across the state. Whether you live in Santa Fe or are visiting northern New Mexico, you can register to play, cheer from the sidelines, or give directly to the foundation’s programs.
What are the event details?
- Dates: April 24–26, 2026
- Location: Defined Pickleball in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, 1644 Rio Rancho Blvd. SE
- Registration price: $75. Register here.
- Events (events are at the amateur and open levels):
- Women’s Singles
- Women’s Doubles
- Men’s Singles
- Men’s Doubles
- Mixed Doubles
- Skill levels: 2.999 and under, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5+
- Age brackets: 19–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70+
- Prizes:
- Amateur bracket: Medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place of the mixed doubles competition
- Open bracket: Cash prizes for 1st (2,000 dollars), 2nd (1,000 dollars), 3rd (600 dollars), and 4th (400 dollars) place of the mixed doubles competition
- Doubles partner finder: Search for a doubles partner on the Pickleball Palooza website
- Stats checker: See stats on everyone registered for the event in one convenient location.
- Volunteer opportunities: Find ways to get involved with Pickleball Palooza as a sponsor, referee, or vendor.
All proceeds benefit the Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation’s efforts to support children with disabilities in New Mexico.
How do Santa Fe players register for the tournament?
Players from Santa Fe and northern New Mexico can register online through the official tournament portal. Early registration is recommended because brackets have limited capacity to keep match schedules manageable and ensure a quality experience for each team.
If you do not already have a teammate, you can use the doubles partner finder tool to connect with other registered players looking for partners. The online system lets you view events, confirm your divisions, and review schedule details before traveling from Santa Fe to Rio Rancho.
Why does this tournament matter for Santa Fe families?
The Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation provides funding and programs that support children with disabilities from all over New Mexico, including Santa Fe and surrounding communities. Many families travel to UNM Carrie Tingley Hospital in Albuquerque for specialized pediatric care that is not always fully covered by insurance and creates financial strain.
Foundation programs help pay for adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs, ramps, and communication devices, along with critical items like van conversions and rent or utility support. They also sponsor year-round adaptive sports and quality-of-life experiences, including summer camp, adaptive riding, adaptive dance, and adaptive cycling programs that help kids with disabilities build confidence and independence.
How can Santa Fe residents volunteer or donate?
Adults 18 and older can volunteer with the foundation at events, adaptive cycling rides, wheelchair basketball, and youth camps in the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho area. Interested volunteers can email the foundation or call to ask about the application process, background checks, and current openings.
If you live in Santa Fe and cannot attend the tournament, you can still support New Mexico children with disabilities through monthly gifts, one-time donations, tribute gifts, or corporate sponsorships. Visit the foundation’s donation page to choose a giving option that fits your personal or business goals.
Support New Mexico kids from Santa Fe
Sign up for Pickleball Palooza today and head to Rio Rancho this April, and turn your Santa Fe pickleball weekend into real change for New Mexico children with disabilities.
When Santa Fe players register, volunteer, or donate, you help fund custom equipment, adaptive sports programs, and critical family assistance through Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation that many local families cannot access alone, transforming a short drive south into long-lasting impact for kids with disabilities across the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Pickleball Palooza from Santa Fe?
Defined Pickleball is located at 1644 Rio Rancho Blvd. SE in Rio Rancho, just northwest of Albuquerque. The drive from Santa Fe typically takes around one hour, depending on traffic and road conditions, making it a practical day trip for both players and spectators.
Can I participate if I do not have a doubles partner?
Yes. You can register as a solo player and use the event’s online partner search tool to find a teammate for doubles. The organizers work to match players by similar skill level whenever possible,
What equipment should I bring from Santa Fe?
Players need to bring their own paddles and wear non-marking court shoes appropriate for indoor pickleball. Tournament balls are supplied at the venue, and while water and food is available on-site, it is a good idea to pack a reusable bottle, snacks, and any personal gear you prefer for back-to-back matches.
Where do the proceeds from the tournament go?
Net proceeds stay in New Mexico and support UNM Carrie Tingley Hospital patients through equipment funding, patient and family assistance, and adaptive sports and recreation programs. This includes help with ramps, mobility devices, and travel support for rural families, so children with disabilities can access camps and activities regardless of income.
Is the event open to spectators from Santa Fe?
Spectators are welcome at Defined Pickleball, and there is typically no admission charge for guests who want to watch matches and learn more about the foundation. Visitors can stop by, ask questions about volunteering or donating, and enjoy the tournament environment even if they are not playing.
This article was posted by Jess
