Legendary singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins has fully embraced pickleball—and like so many others, it didn’t take long for the sport to win him over.

“I was hooked immediately,” Loggins said, recalling how he first discovered the game roughly eight years ago through friends.

For Loggins, who grew up playing baseball, basketball, and racquetball, pickleball ultimately filled a competitive void he didn’t quite realize was missing. 

The appeal was the balance of intensity and playfulness that sets pickleball apart, combined with its accessibility for people of all ages and skill levels.

“I missed the sort of friendly competition aspect in my life,” the 78-year-old explained. “And it’s not life and death like tennis. It’s about play. As we get older, we don’t have a lot of opportunities to play, right? I think traditionally the most older people do is play cards. That ain’t it, so when I found pickleball, I was hooked.”

That spirit of enjoyment has been central to his experience, but he didn’t just fall in love with pickleball on his own—he brought his wife, Lisa, along for the ride. 

The couple quickly made it an integral part of their routine, playing regularly in the picturesque coastal city of Santa Barbara, California where they reside.

“We can play three days a week,” Loggins mentioned, noting that sessions typically last between 90 minutes and two hours. “We just started playing and she got really good at it. Some people can take right to it, and she did, so she beats me regularly. But I still do pretty good for a man my age.”

While he prefers doubles, often alongside Lisa or with friends, their on-court dynamic comes with its own set of challenges and humor.

“Married couples should not play together,” Loggins joked, explaining that communication on the court can sometimes blur the line between coaching and criticism.

Still, the pair has found a system that works: always keep it positive.

“We have an agreement when we play together that we only compliment each other,” he emphasized.

Like many recreational players, Loggins appreciates the unpredictability of pickleball, the way a solid performance can quickly be followed by a frustrating one.

It adds an extra layer of excitement and anticipation for that next game.

“It’s somewhat like golf. You can have a really good day and then the next day can be really bad,” he said. “That's the nature of the game.”

But when he’s piling up points and winning, the payoff is unmatched.

“When everything’s going in, it just makes my day,” Loggins added. “I feel more confident.”

Now, Loggins is channeling his passion for pickleball into something bigger: a tournament next month in Santa Barbara that blends competition, entertainment, and philanthropy.

The second annual “Pickleball in the Danger Zone” tournament benefits Unity Shoppe, an organization committed to providing resources, such as groceries, clothing, and other essentials, to Santa Barbara County residents impacted by temporary conditions of poverty, life transitions, natural disasters, or health crises.

“It’s a benefit, but I wanted to do a pickleball tournament that was focused on fun,” he said.

That philosophy shapes the entire event experience. With music, a lively atmosphere, and plans to incorporate live performances in the future, Loggins hopes the tournament feels like a celebration of the sport.

“Don’t take yourself too seriously—that should be our motto,” Loggins mentioned.

The tournament has already drawn hundreds of participants, a testament to both pickleball’s explosive growth and Loggins’ ability to bring people together.

Though he admits he hasn’t yet sat down to watch PPA Tour or MLP matches on Pickleballtv, Loggins has seen clips and is genuinely intrigued to watch the likes of Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns ply their trade in person.

More than anything, he’s excited about pickleball’s ability to connect people, on and off the court.

“I want people to have a great time and learn about Unity Shoppe,” he said of his event. “And leave there telling their friends about it.”

For Loggins, pickleball isn’t just a hobby, it’s a community builder, a source of joy, and a platform for giving back.

Click here to learn more about the second annual “Pickleball in the Danger Zone” tournament.