Tournaments are free to watch, amateur players can still register to play

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 8, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT: Amy E. S. Maier, amy@twgpr.com, 702-904-0296

LAS VEGAS – The Plaza Hotel & Casino is proud to welcome the Vegas Pickle Bowl benefiting the Inspiring Children Foundation this weekend. 

The event includes a celebrity, athlete, and influencer tournament from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9 followed by open play from 2 to 7 p.m. 

Then on Saturday, Feb. 10, an amateur tournament with multiple divisions for all skill levels will be held starting at 9:30 a.m. The public is invited to watch both tournaments, and interested amateur players can register for the Saturday tournament online at https://www.inspiringchildren.org/vegas-pickle-bowlwith fees starting at $100 per player. The event concludes with open play on Sunday, Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

The celebrity tournament on Friday will be led by Matt Manasse, professional pickleball player and coach to the stars and pickleball professional commentator Kamryn Blackwood. Numerous NFL players, including former Pro Bowl and Super Bowl players, in town for Super Bowl LVIII will participate in the invitation-only tournament Friday including: Marcellus Wiley, Golden Tate, Cliff Avril, Trill Williams, Gehrig Dieter, and T.J. Edwards.

Other celebrities and athletes playing in the Friday invitation-only tournament, include: 

  • Logan Lisle – comedian 
  • Kelly Dod – cast member, The Real Housewives of Orange County 
  • Casey Patterson – Olympian 
  • Joey & Steven – AreYouKiddingTV 
  • Rick Brenkus – BrinxTV 
  • Joe Benavides – UFC fighter 
  • Tyler Wagner – former MLB pitcher 
  • Andrew Spencer – contestant, The Bachelorette and The Bachelor 
  • Taylor Nikolai – social media influencer 
  • Luke Sanson – model 
  • Carl Michael – magician 
  • Jenna Bandy – sports influencer 

The event benefits the Inspiring Children Foundation, which provides physical, social, emotional, and mental health to at-risk youth. For 22 years, Jewel’s Inspiring Children Foundation (ICF) has been transforming the lives of at-risk youth in Las Vegas through a whole human approach to physical, emotional and mental health. ICF serves hundreds of youth in-person and millions online. 95% of students in their Leadership Program have earned college scholarships for academics & athletics (tennis) to some of the best colleges in the US. Parts of the program are now being duplicated in 22 cities by other nonprofits. For more information, please visit https://www.inspiringchildren.org

About the Plaza Hotel & Casino 

Located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, the Plaza Hotel & Casino combines a vintage Rat Pack attitude with modern styling and personal customer service for the ultimate Vegas experience. First opened in 1971 and built on the site of the original Las Vegas railroad depot at 1 Main Street, the Plaza has transformed its historic location into a one-of-a-kind destination for cocktails, gaming, entertainment, and dining. Its glittering porte-cochère is home to the outdoor Carousel Bar that offers handmade cocktails inside a life-sized, animated Vegas-themed carousel setting. The Main Street entrance also is home to Pinkbox Doughnuts and downtown’s first and only smokefree, social media friendly gaming space created in partnership with social media influencer Brian Christopher. The Plaza has nearly 1,000 modern rooms and suites, a classic Vegas showroom, downtown’s only bingo hall, live music at the Sand Dollar Downtown, and 30,000 sq. ft. of refurbished ballroom and meeting space. The Plaza brought the rodeo back to downtown with its CORE Arena, downtown’s only outdoor equestrian and multipurpose facility. Guests enjoy a variety of dining options led by the renowned Oscar’s Steakhouse in the hotel’s iconic glass dome and on a rooftop patio overlooking the Fremont Street Experience. A lounge-style sports book along with hundreds of slot machines and nearly two dozen table games comprise an 80,000-square-foot casino floor. A rooftop pool and recreation deck with private cabanas, hot tub, food truck, and dedicated Pickleball courts, provide a variety of outdoor amenities. For more information on the award-winning Plaza Hotel & Casino, visit www.plazahotelcasino.com. Get updates via FacebookInstagram and Twitter.