The Hungarian Pickleball Federation officially released its tournament schedule this January, announcing a series of major updates for the 2026 season. Headlining these changes is the introduction of a new qualification system alongside a brand-new international competition: the WPC Hungary – Pannon Cup. This inaugural event will complement the prestigious Joola Hungarian Open, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year.
For competitive players, the stakes have been raised. Prize pools worth several thousand euros will be on the line at these premier events, which also serve as qualifiers for Hungarian players seeking a spot in the championship finals.
Strategic Scheduling and World-Class Venues
The Federation has harmonised its calendar with major European circuits, including the RTA and WPC series, as well as other Central European competitions. The WPC Hungary – Pannon Cup is scheduled for April 24–26, while the Hungarian Open will take place from August 7–9, offering a perfect warm-up opportunity as it falls on the weekend immediately preceding the English Open.
Both international tournaments will be held at the Olympic Sports Park in Győr. This fantastic venue was selected for its convenience for foreign travellers, situated within a 1 to 1.5-hour drive of three different international airports.
Expanded Categories and Championship Format
In a move to ensure equal playing opportunities, organisers are adding new 35+ and 60+ categories to the competitions. Specifically, the senior championships are aligning with international trends by dividing the former 50+ group into distinct 50+ and 60+ age brackets.
The National Championships will be organised across three levels in 2026. The season will culminate in a Grand Final featuring the top 10 players in each category, where the Hungarian champions will be crowned. Furthermore, champions will also be recognised in the Division “A” (4.0) and Division “B” (3.0) leagues.
A Thrilling Conclusion
The season will wrap up with the open and senior team competitions, promising excitement and fun to end the year. Fans will be watching closely to see if the SMAFC team, featuring top Hungarian player Bálint Bakó, can successfully defend their title.
If you enjoyed this article, you can download the whole beautifully designed magazine here.
Chris Beaumont
Founder and Editor-in-ChiefChris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at…
View All Articles →
