Episode 73 PPA Challenger Series at Zero Zero Two: Fort Collins Pickleball, Event Growth & the Story Behind the Fracas

Send us Fan MailEpisode 73 kicks off our special PPA Tournament Series from Zero Zero Two in Fort Collins, Colorado, where Pickleballers Next Door went behind the scenes at the PPA Challenger Series: The Fracas in Fort Collins.In this first episode, we sit down with Neil Bellefeuille and Mike Zervas, two of the owners behind Zero Zero Two, along with Bri Seifert from Visit Fort Collins, who helped coordinate and support the event. We talk about what it took to bring a major professional pickleball tournament to Northern Colorado, why Fort Collins is becoming a serious pickleball destination, and how Zero Zero Two is creating a club experience built around players, fans, community, and high-level competition.The Fracas in Fort Collins was part of the PPA Tour Challenger Series Powered by JOOLA, held May 29–31, 2026 at Zero Zero Two, located at 4401 Innovation Drive in Fort Collins. The event featured competitive match play, spectator access, and a chance for players to compete on a national-stage tournament experience. Zero Zero Two is one of Colorado’s newest premier pickleball facilities, featuring 17 total courts, including 11 indoor courts and 6 championship-sized outdoor courts, plus amenities like lounge space, recovery areas, a pro shop, café space, and technology-enhanced court experiences. This is Part 1 of our PPA Fort Collins series, with more player interviews, tournament coverage, and behind-the-scenes conversations coming next.Support the showThank you to our sponsor A Sweet Sip CBD drink. Visit https://drinkasweetsip.com/ for more information. Follow the PickleBallers Next Door at: IG: @pickleballersnextdoorTikTok: thepickleballersnextdoor