COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Featuring a festival-style event to include the 2021 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships, National Singles Championships, and National Juniors Championships, USA Racquetball announced today that St. Louis, Missouri, will be the site of the longest-running multi-event competition ever offered by the organization. The Festival, presented by Penn, is slated to run from June 3 – 12.

With the COVID-19 pandemic necessitating postponements and cancellations of sporting events across the United States through 2020 and into 2021, several USA Racquetball Championships had to be postponed as well. This Festival will see these three events return in a combined endeavor to host all three National Championships in one 10-day festival atmosphere.

The event will utilize three premier racquetball facilities in St. Louis: the Jewish Community Center, Vetta Racquet Sports Concord, and Vetta Racquet Sports West. The 2021 USA Racquetball National Championships Festival is a partnership between USA Racquetball and a collaborative group consisting of the Missouri Racquetball Association, the Missouri High School Racquetball Association, the Jewish Community Center, Vetta Racquet Sports, the St. Louis Sports Commission, and Explore St. Louis.

Competition divisions will span all skill levels and age groups from Junior athletes ages 10 & over to Men’s and Women’s competitive skill and 85+ age divisions. The event will also serve as a U.S. Team Qualifying competition for U.S. athletes to earn the right to represent their country at international tournaments.

The City of St. Louis has a long history with Racquetball since the sport’s origination in the 1950s. It hosted the first International Racquetball Association National Singles Championships in 1969 and has produced legendary names such as Marty Hogan, Steve Serot, and Rita Hoff.

With an estimated 400-700 athletes traveling to St. Louis from all over the country, the Festival will provide an Athlete Village epicenter at Westport Plaza, utilizing several hotels and much of the Plaza itself. In addition to the competitive events, USA Racquetball will also host several traditional celebrations including its Annual Awards and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies.

“We are thrilled to welcome the 2021 USA Racquetball National Championships Festival to St. Louis,” said St. Louis Sports Commission Vice President Chris Roseman. “Along with our partners, we look forward to creating a wonderful experience for these incredible athletes and their fans from around the country.”

“The Missouri Racquetball Association warmly invites our friends and Racquetball family from across the United States to get back on the courts and join us in St. Louis for this first-ever USA Racquetball National Championships Festival,” remarked Missouri Racquetball Association President Dan Whitley. “We are honored and proud to host the 2021 Adult and Junior National Championships this June in our great city!”

USA Racquetball Executive Director Mike Wedel added, "USA Racquetball is excited to bring this event to St. Louis. Everyone has been great to work with throughout the selection process. We know this will be a huge celebration of Racquetball returning to play!"

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Event Contact:

Connor Shane

USA Racquetball Director of National Events

719-635-5396 ext. 2 (o)

CShane@usaracquetball.com

About USA Racquetball: USA Racquetball, founded in 1969, is the National Governing Body (NGB) for Racquetball in the United States. Fully recognized by the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), USA Racquetball provides opportunities for members and enthusiasts to actively participate in the sport through sanctioning of events, administration of instructional programs, and development of competitive teams.

Racquetball is one of the most accessible sports in the country, requiring very little equipment and offering a fun way for athletes of all ages and skill levels to compete both indoors and outdoors.