ST. LOUIS – March 2, 2021 – The 2021 USA Racquetball National Championships Festival presented by Penn has been awarded to St. Louis. The event, which includes the Racquetball National Doubles Championships, National Singles Championships, and National Juniors Championships, will run from June 3-13. The 10-day event will take place at three premier racquetball facilities in the region: the Jewish Community Center, Vetta Racquet Sports Concord, and Vetta Racquet Sports West.

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

The St. Louis Sports Commission is hosting the Festival in partnership with USA Racquetball and a collaborative group consisting of the Missouri Racquetball Association, the Missouri High School Racquetball Association, the Jewish Community Center, Vetta Sports, and Explore St. Louis.

“We are thrilled to welcome the 2021 USA Racquetball National Championships Festival presented by Penn 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,” said 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!”

Competition divisions will span all skill levels and age groups from junior athletes (ages 10 and 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 the United States at international tournaments.

The St. Louis region 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 including Marty Hogan, Steve Serot, and Rita Hoff.

An estimated 400-700 athletes will travel to St. Louis from all over the country. The Festival will provide an “Athlete Village” epicenter at Westport Plaza, utilizing the hotels and most of the complex itself.

In addition to the USA Racquetball National Championships Festival in June, St. Louis will also host the USA Gymnastics Championships (June 22-27 at the America’s Center Convention Complex), the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics (June 24-27 at Enterprise Center), and the U.S. Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championships (June 25-30 at Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex and Lou Fusz Athletic Soccer Complex).