News & Updates

For 2026, we're introducing something new: The Icon Award, presented by John Hardy.

It's an award given live at the May 18 Invitational to the participant who best embodies the spirit of Silicon Alley Sports — competing hard, while making everyone else feel like they belong. The player who lifts others up, makes the game better just by being in it, and proves that being a fierce competitor and being a good human are not mutually exclusive.

Put plainly: it's the award for whoever best lives our most important rule. Don't be an asshole.

John Hardy is a jewelry house with roots in Bali, known for handcraft, sustainable practices, and a community-driven approach to design. Their belief that "creation is a collective process fueled by community" is exactly what SAS tries to be at its best. We're grateful to have them present this inaugural award.

How it works: every attendee will receive a card with the QR code at arrival, and the same QR will be visible throughout the event. Anyone present can nominate. Two winners will be honored on stage that night, and each receives a John Hardy Icon Logo bracelet — a piece from their signature collection.

The full story is on the landing page below.

I'm proud to announce that Sandy Hook Promise will be the 2026 Impact Partner for Silicon Alley Sports.

This is our second year collaborating with them, and the decision was an easy one. This partnership actually started with our own members. Many in the SAS community were already working with SHP, and since Newtown is just up the road from Silicon Alley, the mission hits home for a lot of us.

We play sports to build community, but we also play to make a difference.

The impact SHP is having is real: • 44 million people trained to "Know the Signs" • 380,000+ anonymous tips received • 19 planned school shootings stopped

At SAS, we say "Play Well. Do Good." In 2026, we're going to do a lot of both.

Huge thanks to our supporters and the entire SAS community for making this possible. See you on the court soon.

We listened. Over the past several years, our pickleball players have consistently told us the same thing: hard courts would make for a better playing experience. This year, we are making the move.

The Silicon Alley Golf & Pickleball Invitational will feature pickleball on hard courts for the first time, replacing the Har-Tru (clay) surface used in previous years. Whether you are a seasoned player or picking up a paddle for the first time, hard courts offer a faster, more consistent bounce that levels the playing field for all skill levels.

And just like in years past, our honorary head of racket sports, John Cassas, will lead the pickleball tournament. John has been instrumental in building the racket sports side of SAS and we are thrilled to have him back running the show.

Spots are filling up fast. Register now to secure your place at the 2026 Silicon Alley Golf & Pickleball Invitational.

Silicon Alley Sports is excited to announce our first Community Night — a free, casual Zoom video chat open to all SAS community members. On Thursday, April 17 at 8 PM ET, we'll be joined by CP "The Franchise," the founder of KnicksFanTV, the largest New York Knicks fan platform with over 100,000 YouTube subscribers. We'll kick things off with a quick SAS update on our upcoming flagship event, then go deep on the New York Knicks, the NBA Playoffs, and have a great conversation. RSVP to reserve your spot — Darren will send your calendar invite with the Zoom link within 72 hours.

Organizations can adapt and change, but only if the people running them are open to it. That is the lesson from the inaugural Silicon Alley Sports Padel Invitational — an event that sold out in just 96 hours.

The idea came from SAS advisory board member Matt Tepper, who has been the driving force behind every sport SAS has added. About twelve years ago, he suggested adding tennis to complement the golf invitational. Five years later, he pushed for adding the fastest-growing racket sport — which attracted many first-time community members. Most recently, he suggested padel, and once again, the community responded.

The numbers tell the story: 24 players, 217 total games played, 85% of signups were beginners, and 42% of attendees had never been to an SAS event before. The group represented over $300 billion in market capitalization.

At SAS, we have always believed that success is not measured by how well you play, but by how well you raise the bar of the community. The Padel Invitational proved that when you stay open to change, great things happen.

What started in 2004 with eight digital media executives looking to network outside the city has evolved into one of the most anticipated traditions in New York's tech ecosystem—and 2026 promises to be the biggest year yet. For the first time in its history, Silicon Alley Sports is adding padel to its roster of events with the inaugural Silicon Alley Padel Invitational on March 5, 2026. This year's lineup also includes the Tennis & Pickleball Invitational on May 19 and the Tennis Invitational in July/August. SAS welcomes new supporters Attain, Instalily AI, and John Hardy, alongside returning partners Bain Capital, The Hunt Club, and The Buddy Group. Since its founding, SAS has brought together over 800 entrepreneurs, VCs, angel investors, and tech leaders, with all proceeds beyond event costs donated to charity.