By Ally Bird
Rhythm & Rally Sports & Events is launching the Rally for Good Series — a year-round civic pickleball tradition that blends friendly competition with community impact across Middle Georgia. The initiative builds on the venue’s growing lineup of charitable tournaments and formalizes a season-long schedule that supports local and regional nonprofits.
What Is Rally for Good?
At its core, Rally for Good is a cause-driven league that pairs Rhythm & Rally with a nonprofit partner for each event on the calendar. The facility manages coordination and competitive operations, while 10% of every player entry goes directly to the partner’s mission — and participating organizations keep 100% of the sponsorships they bring in. Players earn season points not just by winning matches, but by showing up, donating, and championing each partner’s work, making every rally matter on and off the court.
Two trophies will cap each full season:
- The Champions Cup
- The Community Cup
An Abbreviated Inaugural Season Starts January
While the full season officially launches in October 2026, Rhythm & Rally will kick things off with an abbreviated inaugural run beginning in January to recognize partners already aligned with the venue’s community-first mission. The abbreviated season includes:
- Ocmulgee National Park & Preserve Initiative (ONPPI) — January 24–25, 2026
- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Georgia — March 7–8, 2026
- Macon Mental Health Matters — May 9–10, 2026
- Otis Redding Foundation — June 13–14, 2026
- Middle Georgia Association of REALTORS® — August 22–23, 2026
- Macon Pride — September 19–20, 2026
The first Rally for Good Awards Banquet will be held October 9, 2026, on the eve of the Habitat for Humanity Homecourt Tournament. The second season will continue in November with an event benefiting the Macon Christmas Lights Extravaganza as it enters its 10th year in 2026.
First Up: “Paddles for the Park” Benefiting ONPPI
The series opens January 24–25, 2026, with Paddles for the Park, supporting the Ocmulgee National Park & Preserve Initiative (ONPPI). This is the coalition working to establish Georgia’s first national park and protect the cultural and ecological heritage of the Ocmulgee River Corridor. Rhythm & Rally’s General Manager John Roberts underscored the importance of ONPPI’s work and the facility’s pride in helping move the effort forward.
2026 Tournament Calendar
In partnership with Southern Pickleball, Rhythm & Rally also released its 2026 calendar featuring competitive events for local, regional, and national players. Here’s the year at a glance:
- Dec. 31–Jan. 4: Southern Champs — Southern Pickleball
- Jan. 24–25: Paddles for the Park — ONPPI
- Feb. 13–15: Macon Love — Southern Pickleball
- March 7–8: Arch Madness — Ronald McDonald House
- April 17–19: Southern Team Champ — Southern Pickleball
- May 9–10: Serve for Strength — Macon Mental Health Matters
- May 23–24: Memorial Day — Southern Pickleball
- June 13–14: Soul City Classic — Otis Redding Center for the Arts
- July 17–19: PPA Challenger — PPA
- Aug. 1–2: Beat the Heat — Southern Pickleball
- Aug. 22–23: Igniting Hope for the Homeless — Middle Georgia Association of REALTORS®
- Sept. 19–20: Points for Pride — Macon Pride
- Oct. 10–11: Habitat Home Court — Habitat for Humanity
- Nov. 21–22: Dink the Halls — Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza
- Dec. 4–6: Candy Cane Classic — Southern Pickleball
How to Participate
Registration for the January Rally for Good event is open, with all other event registrations set to open January 1. For sponsorship opportunities, nonprofit partnerships, or media inquiries, contact Rhythm & Rally Marketing Manager Ally Bird at [email protected].
About Rhythm & Rally Sports & Events
Located at Macon Mall, Rhythm & Rally is the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility, spanning 166,000 square feet with 32 climate-controlled courts, a pro shop, food and beverage options, locker rooms, and event space. Rhythm & Rally is part of the SF Network and is operated by The Sports Facilities Companies, the industry leader in outsourced operations for sports and recreation venues. Learn more at rhythmandrally.com.
