Good morning, pickleballers!
Tuesday pickleball news incoming!
Before we get cracking with today’s pickleball news, the January issue of World Pickleball Magazine is now live and free to read. Explore global stories from Türkiye, Poland, Italy, Japan, India, Pakistan, and more, alongside wider coverage of governance, refereeing, and how the sport is developing worldwide.
If you enjoy it, please share it with your pickleball friends and communities. You can also follow @worldpickleballmagazine on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the World Pickleball Podcast on Spotify, iTunes, and many other major podcast platforms.
In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, I sit down with Leon Stanga, President and pioneering force behind Pickleball Venezuela.
Leon shares the remarkable story of how pickleball took root in Venezuela, from early grassroots efforts to building a national structure for the sport. The conversation explores the challenges of growing pickleball in emerging markets, the role of leadership and education, and what it takes to introduce a new sport in regions where resources, awareness, and infrastructure can be limited.
And then Gordon Watson joined me for the weekly news podcast – an update on what the team has been working on behind the scenes, including the continued growth and global reach of World Pickleball Magazine. From there, the conversation moves into one of the busiest periods in recent memory for paddle sponsorships, breaking down major player signings such as Anna Leigh Waters joining Franklin, Federico Staksrud Tardio’s move to Falcolos, and wider shifts involving Friday and Engage.
Here’s the very latest pickleball news from across the world.
Aussie Pickleball Boom: Membership Smashes Major Milestone
Canberra, Australia – The explosive growth of pickleball Down Under shows no signs of slowing, as the Pickleball Australia Association (PAA) celebrated a significant achievement this week. The organisation proudly announced that its membership base has surpassed the 24,000 mark, a testament to the sport’s rapidly expanding footprint across the continent.
In a statement released to the community, the PAA expressed its excitement over the new record, calling it “another massive achievement” for the sport in the region. The organisation credited the milestone to the unwavering passion and support of the local player base, which has transformed pickleball from a niche activity into a mainstream recreational pursuit.
The growth is not isolated to a single region but represents a collective surge across the country’s states and territories. The PAA highlighted the contributions of its member associations, including Pickleball ACT, the Pickleball Association of New South Wales, Pickleball Association Queensland, and counterparts in South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. Each of these regional bodies has been instrumental in fostering local clubs and driving participation numbers to this historic high.
This latest figure of 24,000 members underscores the effectiveness of the national strategy to unify and promote the sport. As courts continue to pop up from Perth to Sydney, the “proud growing community” cited by the PAA suggests that pickleball has firmly established itself as a staple of the Australian sporting landscape.
Stanley Cup Champ Adam McQuaid Skates into Pickleball Business
Stratford, Canada – Former NHL defenseman and Stanley Cup champion Adam McQuaid is trading the ice for the hardcourt, spearheading a major new pickleball development in his home province of Prince Edward Island. Partnering with the Atlantic Pickleball Club, McQuaid is set to open a 25,000-square-foot indoor facility in Stratford, just outside Charlottetown, slated for a Spring 2026 launch.
The project began when friends Scott Harris and Jonah MacMillan approached McQuaid in June 2024, recognising the exploding demand for the sport on the island. McQuaid, who currently serves as the Director of Player Development for the Boston Bruins, immediately saw the potential. “I’m really proud of where I grew up… being able to bring a project like this to Stratford is special,” McQuaid shared, emphasizing his desire to create a community hub where locals can socialize and exercise year-round.
The state-of-the-art facility is designed to be a premier destination for enthusiasts. It will feature eight individual courts, a dedicated “king court,” a practice dink wall, and two Trackman golf simulators. To foster the social aspect of the game, the club will also include a café, a merchandise shop, and a mezzanine for events.
Although McQuaid describes himself as a “novice player” unlikely to snag tournament wins soon, he has witnessed the sport’s ability to build tight-knit communities near his current home in Needham, Massachusetts. He hopes to replicate that inclusive atmosphere in PEI. “It’s such a unique sport where you can just show up and play—age doesn’t matter, skill level doesn’t matter,” McQuaid noted, admitting that the competitive fire from his hockey days still burns when he picks up a paddle.
The Dink Lab Electrifies as Philippine Pickleball Revolution Begins
Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Pickleball League (PPL) kicked off its 2026 season with high-octane energy at the Luzon Open, signalling the country’s arrival as a serious contender in the Asian pickleball scene. Held at “The Dink Lab,” the event began on January 16 with an atmosphere described by organisers as having the “jeepney” at “Full Throttle”.
The tournament brought together top talent from across the archipelago, uniting players from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao under one roof. The opening days were characterized by raw energy and intense competition, with the “Power of Hopia”—a local rallying cry for resilience and energy—undeniable from the first serve. Organizers framed the event not just as a competition, but as a “warning shot” that the Philippines is positioning itself as the next global powerhouse of the sport.
Championship Sunday saw the intensity peak in the Advanced 18+ and Intermediate 35+ brackets. Spectators witnessed “lightning-fast hand battles” and high-stakes finals that electrified the crowd. The event highlighted the skyrocketing standard of play in the region, with athletes proving their elite status in front of a passionate local audience.
By the time the dust settled, the PPL Luzon Open had established a new benchmark for the sport in the country. “The biggest pickleball explosion in Asia is in full throttle,” the league declared, celebrating a historic weekend that blended grit, passion, and community spirit in a league “powered by the people”.
PPA Masters Recap: Waters Dominates as Contract Rumours Swirl Courtside
Palm Springs, USA – The Carvana PPA Masters delivered a memorable start to the 2026 season, featuring historic on-court performances and intense off-court speculation regarding the future of one of the sport’s most dynamic players.
On the court, Anna Leigh Waters continued her reign of terror, capturing her 40th career Triple Crown. She powered past Kate Fahey to take the women’s singles title and teamed up with Ben Johns to win a mixed doubles classic against Anna Bright and Hayden Patriquin in five gruelling games. In men’s singles, Chris Haworth defended his title, securing a second straight championship after Jack Sock suffered an injury on match point.
However, the buzz in the VIP section rivalled the action on the court. Quang Duong, the former LA Mad Drops player whose contract was terminated by the UPA in 2025 for playing in unsanctioned events in Vietnam, was spotted courtside with his father, Duc, and PPA Tour Founder Connor Pardoe. This public appearance has fueled rampant speculation that Duong may be poised for a return to the PPA Tour.
Evidence mounting for a reconciliation includes Duong’s recent use of the PPA-official Life Time ball on social media—a post liked by Pardoe—and the apparent end of his paddle deal with Sypik. While no official re-signing has been announced, the “smiles” shared between the parties in Palm Springs suggest a thaw in relations. As Zane Navratil noted, having “Asia’s biggest star” back would be a massive win for the tour, and for Duong, the path to being the best requires competing against the PPA’s elite.
From Badminton Silver to Pickleball Gold? Olympian Gail Emms Inspires in Shropshire
Shrewsbury, United Kingdom – The Shrewsbury Sports Village welcomed sporting royalty this past Friday as Gail Emms, an Olympic silver medalist in badminton, visited to champion the growing sport of pickleball. Emms, who achieved global fame at the Athens 2004 Olympics and is a former Commonwealth and World Champion, has now turned her competitive focus to the UK’s top pickleball leagues.
Hosted by the West Midlands Pickleball & Academy, the event provided local players and members of Pickleball Central UK (PBC UK) with a unique opportunity to learn from a world-class athlete. Emms delivered a conference and coaching session, offering “in-depth insight” into her career, which began at age four and led to the pinnacle of international sport. Her transition from badminton to pickleball highlights the natural crossover between racquet sports that is driving participation across Britain.
Fe Edwards of PBC UK praised the event, noting the success of the collaboration with the sports village and encouraging budding players to get involved with the national organisation. For the local players in Shropshire, the chance to share a court with an Olympian served as a major boost, further validating pickleball’s rapid ascent in the UK sports scene.
Indoor Nationals Preview: Parris Todd Returns as Pros Brave the Minnesota Chill
Lakeville, USA – The PPA Tour is trading the palm trees of California for the winter chill of the Midwest this week as the tour arrives in Minnesota for the Pickleball Central Indoor National Championships. While some top names like Ben Johns are sitting this event out, the tournament promises high stakes and intriguing new partnerships.
A major storyline is the return of Parris Todd following a short suspension. Todd enters the singles draw as the No. 4 seed, eyeing a rare gold medal opportunity in the absence of world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters, who is skipping singles and mixed doubles this week. However, Waters will still compete in women’s doubles alongside Anna Bright, forming a formidable top-seeded duo.
In mixed doubles, the absence of the Johns/Waters partnership opens the door for Anna Bright and Hayden Patriquin. The pair, who narrowly lost a five-game thriller at the Masters, are the top seeds and favourites to claim gold. They will face stiff competition from the No. 2 seeds Tyra Black and Christian Alshon.
Men’s doubles sees a shakeup with the new No. 1 seeded partnership of Gabe Tardio and Andrei Daescu. Daescu’s style, similar to Ben Johns, is expected to mesh well with Tardio, who is coming off a stellar performance at the Masters. Meanwhile, Chris Haworth looks to achieve the difficult feat of winning back-to-back men’s singles titles, entering as the No. 5 seed in a loaded bracket. With several top stars absent, the Indoor National Championships offer a prime stage for rising talent to break through and claim hardware.
Pei Chuan Kao Stars in Exhibition as UK Pickleball Infrastructure Expands
Stourbridge, United Kingdom – The rapid ascent of pickleball in the UK was on full display this Saturday with the inauguration of a new venue in Stourbridge, headlined by an exhibition match featuring some of the country’s elite players. Pei Chuan Kao, a leading figure in the sport, led a star-studded lineup that included Thaddea Lock, Ben Cawston, Harvey Ravenscroft, and Ewan Skillicorn.
The opening event celebrated the sport’s surging popularity across the West Midlands, where demand for court time frequently outstrips supply. Attendees were treated to a showcase of high-level play, followed by opportunities for visitors to step onto the court for friendly games against the athletes. The program also emphasised inclusivity, featuring wheelchair pickleball sessions alongside open play.
The significance of the new facility was underscored by the presence of local dignitaries, including Dudley Mayor Cllr Pete Lee, and Karen Mitchell, the founder and CEO of Pickleball England. Mitchell’s organisation has been a driving force behind the sport’s growth, promoting it as a community-unifying activity that balances social connection with competition.
As new venues like the one in Stourbridge open their doors, they provide essential infrastructure for a sport that—much like in the US and Europe—is becoming a fixture in leisure centers and community spaces nationwide.
Bengaluru Jawans Eye Repeat Glory as World Pickleball League Returns
Mumbai, India – The World Pickleball League (WPBL) is set to launch its highly anticipated second season on January 27, 2026, promising expanded rivalries and higher stakes. The defending champions, Bengaluru Jawans, will open their title defence against Pune United FC, looking to replicate the success of their inaugural campaign.
Central to Bengaluru’s championship hopes is Katerina Stewart, the Season 1 Player of the Tournament. A former professional tennis player with a WTA ranking history of 158, Stewart has successfully transitioned to pickleball, competing full-time on the PPA and APP tours. Her “match awareness” and ability to steady the ship under pressure were credited as decisive factors in the Jawans’ previous victory.
Under the guidance of seasoned coach Oliver Strecker, the team is focused on building a sustainable legacy rather than resting on past laurels. “We aim beyond defending the crown,” Stewart stated, emphasising the team’s hunger to build a “force to reckon with”.
With Stewart aiming to break into the global Top 10 by the end of 2025, her leadership provides the Jawans with championship DNA. As the league prepares to showcase the sport’s growing footprint in India, all eyes will be on Mumbai to see if Bengaluru can maintain its dominance in the face of stiffer competition.
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…
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