Visiting Mesa for the Veolia Arizona Open
By The Pickleball Weekly Travel Staff • September 2, 2026 • 7 min read
Pickleball in the desert
FOR ONE WEEK in September, some of professional pickleball’s top players will descend on Mesa, Arizona, with more than $1 million on the line.
The Veolia Arizona Open runs September 14 through 20 at Arizona Athletic Grounds, with a total payout of $1,063,327. A PPA Tour Open title is worth 1,000 ranking points in each division, making the tournament an important stop as players battle for position during the season.
For fans making the trip, however, the tournament can be only part of the experience.
Mesa sits within easy reach of desert trails, mountain scenery, historic attractions and some of the Valley’s most interesting dining and entertainment areas. Add a day before the tournament, stay an extra day afterward or simply use the hours between matches, and a trip built around pickleball can quickly become an Arizona getaway.
Start Close to the Courts
Arizona Athletic Grounds is in southeast Mesa, near Gilbert and Queen Creek. While the immediate surroundings are largely residential, several destinations worth visiting are within a relatively short drive.
Agritopia in nearby Gilbert offers an easy place to start. The urban agricultural community combines food, local businesses and gathering spaces in a setting that feels considerably different from the traditional suburban landscape surrounding much of the Phoenix metro area.
Barnone, housed in a repurposed mid-century grain storage building, brings local makers and food and beverage businesses together under one roof. The larger Agritopia community also makes an easy stop for coffee, a meal or a few hours away from the tournament.
Farther south in Queen Creek, Schnepf Farms offers another side of Arizona. The longtime family farm includes a bakery and country store, with seasonal activities.
Trade the Pickleball Court for a Trail
Arizona’s landscape is one of the strongest reasons to add extra time to the trip.
Usery Mountain Regional Park provides a quick transition from tournament crowds to the Sonoran Desert. The 3,648- acre park has 29 miles of trails surrounded by classic desert scenery. One of its best-known hikes, the Wind Cave Trail, climbs toward a rock alcove with valley views.
September temperatures can still be intense, so an early start is important. A morning hike followed by an afternoon or evening session at the tournament offers a way to experience both sides of the destination without trying to squeeze a desert adventure into the hottest part of the day.
For something less strenuous, head to the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert. The 110-acre preserve offers walking trails, desert vegetation and extensive birdwatching opportunities.
Water in the Desert
Drive northeast and the landscape changes again.
The Salt River and Saguaro Lake recreation areas bring together desert mountains, water and wildlife in a setting that can feel far removed from the city. At Saguaro Lake, the Dolly Steamboat offers narrated cruises through the surrounding canyon landscape.
Along the Lower Salt River, visitors may also encounter the wild horses for which the area has become known.
It is one of the more memorable ways to add something distinctly Arizona to a pickleball trip. Instead of spending an entire week moving between a hotel and the courts, a half-day excursion puts visitors into the landscape that defines the region.
Step Into the Old West
Goldfield Ghost Town in Apache Junction provides a completely different Arizona experience. Built around the area’s mining history, the attraction recreates the atmosphere of an Old West mining town with exhibits, mine tours, a narrow-gauge railroad and other attractions.
It is unapologetically tourist-oriented, but that is part of the appeal. For visitors from outside Arizona, it offers an easy way to add a little Old West character to a trip centered around a very modern sport.
Pair Goldfield with a drive through the surrounding desert and the day becomes a significant contrast to the atmosphere at a professional pickleball tournament.
Make a Night of It in Scottsdale
If the goal is restaurants, shopping and nightlife rather than hiking boots and desert trails, Old Town Scottsdale is worth the longer drive. Roughly 30 miles from Arizona Athletic Grounds, Scottsdale offers boutiques, galleries, restaurants, resorts and a nightlife scene that can easily fill an evening.
It is best treated as a destination rather than a quick break between matches. Spend the day watching pickleball, return to the hotel to change and then make the drive north for dinner and an evening exploring Old Town.
Scottsdale Fashion Square provides plenty of shopping, while the historic areas of Old Town offer a different atmosphere on foot. Restaurants range from casual Southwestern options to high-end dining, making Scottsdale particularly appealing for visitors turning tournament week into a vacation.
Or Head Into Phoenix
Downtown Phoenix is another option for visitors willing to venture farther from Mesa.
Roosevelt Row is known for its murals, galleries, independent businesses, restaurants and breweries, while downtown also provides access to major sports and entertainment venues.
A Phoenix evening makes the most sense for travelers with an open night or those extending their stay beyond the tournament. With the drive from Arizona Athletic Grounds approaching 35 miles, trying to fit it into a short break between matches could turn sightseeing into a race against the clock. Give it an evening and enjoy it instead.
Dinner Without the Long Drive
Not every memorable meal requires driving to Scottsdale or Phoenix. The Gilbert area provides several upscale options relatively close to the tournament venue. Buck & Rider at Epicenter at Agritopia focuses on seafood and a changing raw bar, while Bourbon & Bones and Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille near SanTan Village offer steakhouse experiences. For a quieter evening, Board & Batten in Mesa offers seasonal American dining in a garden setting.
Having quality dining relatively close to the venue matters during tournament week. After spending hours watching matches, sometimes the best plan is not another attraction. It is a good dinner and an early night before doing it all again tomorrow.
Build the Trip Around Pickleball
A seven-day tournament creates more flexibility than a typical weekend event. Fans who want to concentrate almost entirely on pickleball can stay close to Arizona Athletic Grounds and add nearby meals and short excursions. Those with several free days can head into the desert, spend an evening in Scottsdale or Phoenix, or extend the trip on either side of the tournament.
The schedule also allows visitors to decide how much pickleball they want. Gates open at 8 a.m. daily, with Championship Court morning and evening sessions ticketed separately and grounds passes providing access to the outer courts throughout the day.
A morning in the desert and an evening watching pro pickleball can fit into the same trip. So can a full day at the courts followed by dinner in Gilbert, or a day exploring Scottsdale after the champions have been crowned.
More Than a Tournament Stop
The Veolia Arizona Open may provide the reason to book the flight, but Arizona provides plenty of reasons not to make it a quick trip.
Watch the matches. Cheer for your favorite players. Then put the paddle down for a few hours and see what else Arizona has waiting beyond the baseline.
The Pickleball Travel Staff produces in-depth reporting and cover features about exploring destinations with pickleball courts and what to do locally while attending tournaments all over the world. With contributors who uncover premier resorts, local hotspots, and off-court activities, the team is committed to helping players maximize their experiences beyond the court boundaries.
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