The biggest shuffleboard event on the planet is coming to St. Pete next week. The 40th Annual International Shuffleboard Association World Championship brings an incredible global competition to the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club on October 22-27, just as the club gets ready to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
Festivities begin on Sunday as international teams are welcomed to the club, and shuffleboard competition officially kicks off on Monday at 10:30 am at St. Pete Shuffle, following the opening ceremonies at 9 am. The public is invited to attend all competitions and the opening ceremony, which are all free for General Admission. The ISL will also stream competition each night, which is free to view. See the full tournament schedule here.
Following the full week of heated games, St. Pete Shuffle is hosting a massive – and free! – party on the courts to celebrate not only the conclusion of the World Championship, but also the historic club’s upcoming 100th anniversary. The party is the official kickoff for St. Pete Shuffle’s centennial, the first of many festivities the club has planned for a full year of celebrations – stay tuned for more details on those.
Taking place Friday, October 27 from 7-10 pm, the party also marks the return of St. Pete Shuffle’s viral hit, Galactic Shuffleboard – a glow-in-the-dark night on the courts. Attendance is free (St. Pete Shuffle is waiving the usual $10 fee for the party), and guests will be able to play shuffleboard, eat cake, and enjoy a live DJ while toasting to the games as well as the club’s centennial anniversary.
All told, the ISL World Championship will feature 15 rounds each for the men’s and women’s teams, with eight different countries having qualified for the final competition. Alongside the United States, competitors include Austria, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Find more information on the World Championship here.
Nearly 100 years of shuffleboard in St. Pete
Founded in 1924, the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club is the oldest and largest shuffleboard club in the world. It began with a concentrated group of shuffleboard enthusiasts and has grown into one of the most sought after destinations for shuffleboard, and special events in the world. It’s also nearing its official centennial celebration.
The club was finally able to bring back its weekly Friday night shuffleboard club, which runs from 7-10pm every Friday night. It’s free for members, and $10 for non members. Want to host your event at the Shuffleboard Club? St. Pete Shuffle has a full breakdown of rates an availability on its website.
Back in December 2019, the club’s stunning terrazzo courts were restored and polished by he same company that installed them in 1934, Steward-Mellon Co. When the terrazzo courts first debuted, more than 2,000 guests gathered to celebrate their commemoration.
The St. Pete Shuffleboard Club is located at 559 Mirror Lake Drive North. Follow the organization on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with its latest events.
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