Palm Beach Boat Show Adds Floating Pickleball Court to 2026 Attractions

Pickleball has officially docked at one of the most glamorous stretches of waterfront real estate in America. New to the 2026 Palm Beach International Boat Show is a floating pickleball court located in the show's marina, introducing a sport that has conquered community centers and country clubs to a setting surrounded by nine-figure yachts.

With more than $1 billion worth of boats on display, the show offers everything from sleek 8-foot inflatables to nearly 300-foot superyachts, including the 197-foot Alfa G by Oceanco, complete with a helipad, outdoor movie theater, pool, gym, and a duplex master suite, and the "James Bond"-themed Casino Royale yacht owned by entrepreneur John Staluppi. The floating court sits in the middle of all of it, equal parts absurd and brilliant.

The pickleball attraction is not just decorative. Yacht crews are competing in a tournament for a trophy prize, and attendees have the chance to play when matches are not in session. The organized competition carries the name "The Floating Invitational," billed as the inaugural captain-and-crew pickleball tournament at the show. Teams of two can enter the doubles, mixed-format bracket, with cash prizes and sponsor awards going to the top two placing teams.

The crew angle is where things get genuinely interesting for anyone who follows the superyacht world. The Dockwalk Oasis Lounge at Palm Harbor Marina Yacht Club, returning after a successful debut at the 2025 show, is serving as the social hub for captains and crew throughout the event. The lounge is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, with continental breakfast from 10 a.m. and lunch around noon. Beyond pickleball, the lounge is hosting floral and tablescaping competitions and a Macallan x Sushi chef experience. Registration is open for crew on yachts over 80 feet in the show, and crew visiting for the day can check in at the door.

This year marks the 44th annual show, running March 25 through 29. The five-day event also features premium experiences including the Windward VIP Lounge, educational seminars, family-friendly activities like the Kids Fishing Clinic, the Nautical Ventures AquaZone, and more than 75 food and beverage options. Tickets are $37 for general admission and $430 for the VIP Windward Lounge, with kids 14 and under admitted free on Family Day, March 29, and active military and veterans receiving free general admission that same day.

The floating court has already drawn attention beyond the docks. Power & Motoryacht Magazine called out the inflatable court as one of the show's signature draws during setup coverage, and the Instagram account promoting the attraction teased that the court is "where captains and crew" collide, leaving the rivalries that play out on the water to continue on a very different kind of surface. Tickets and more information are available at pbboatshow.com.