History of the Tournament of Champions
Brigham City’s Tournament of Champions (TOC) is one of the flagship tournaments for pickleball nationwide. Starting in 2012, the Tournament of Champions was the first tournament to ever offer prize money, the first tournament to use certified refs for all professional matches, and the first Tier 1 tournament outside of Nationals. The Tournament of Champions continues to push the sport to new competitive heights.
In 2015, because of their ability to catch the vision of what the TOC could become, the American Dream Foundation (ADF) relocated the TOC to Brigham City. Brigham City’s local pickleball club embraced the opportunity and began laying the groundwork by helping develop the first 8 courts in Brigham City. The City identified an ideal yet unused location in Pioneer park that fit the dimensions of Pickleball courts perfectly. The club acquired significant funding through sponsorships and donations, making the cost to the city minimal. Due to an incredible, multi-faceted partnership between the City, donors, club, and the ADF, court construction and the development/relocation of the TOC occurred in an extremely accelerated timeline.
With the groundwork laid, the 2015 TOC was set for success and even exceeded expectations in attendance of pro players, the addition of an amateur component, and an increase in the prize money pool. Due to the astounding success of the 2015 Tournament the ADF gave an additional investment towards the expansion of the venue and tournament opportunities. Expansion included 8 additional courts, and the first stand-alone championship court in the state; the John A. Gullo Championship court. With increased success each year, Brigham City city council approved further venue development with the addition of restrooms, picnic shade structures, parking lot, on site wi-fi, and further parks and grounds development.
In 2019, John A. Gullo presented the city with an opportunity to purchase the Tournament of Champions; turning it from a private, to a city-owned tournament. Making the TOC the first pro tournament to be owned by a city. With the transfer of the tournament, John again supported the continued development of the championship court by helping fund seating and a large shade structure. Brigham City expanded the tournament by developing player banners, player badges, and obtaining new sponsorships from local businesses. The 2019 TOC was the most successful yet with nearly 600 pro and amateur players, and a prize pool exceeding $57,000, making the TOC surpass the United States Pickleball Associations requirement for Tier 1 tournament status.
The 2020, Tournament of Champions will meet contractual agreements with the ADF to acquire 6 additional courts and a second stand-alone championship court; increasing the total courts from 17 to 24. Brigham City is actively engaged with national sponsors to secure funding to support continued growth and additional prize pool money. The City and their stakeholders continue to look for opportunities to grow and develop the Tournament of Champions further. Look forward to exciting announcements and additional offerings to the tournament in January for the 2022 Tournament of Champions!