Happy New Year, pickleballers!
Start 2026 in the best way possible, getting up to date with the latest pickleball news.
We have all the latest headlines for you from the world of pickleball.
Dekel Bar Shocks Industry with Move to 11Six24
Austin, USA – In a surprising year-end shakeup, pickleball veteran Dekel Bar has officially parted ways with JOOLA to become the new face of 11Six24. The announcement, confirmed by 11Six24 founder David Groechel, marks a significant milestone for the brand as Bar becomes its first United Pickleball Association (UPA) signed professional.
Bar, who spent two years with JOOLA, took to Instagram to express his gratitude for his former team before teasing that he was “very excited for what’s ahead”,. That future has now been revealed as a partnership born through mutual friends, leading Bar to test and ultimately adopt the brand’s latest technology. “He tried the new paddles, and it all went from there,” Groechel stated.
The centrepiece of this new partnership is the Vapor Power 2 with HexGrit. This paddle represents a technical leap for 11Six24, featuring their first full-foam construction designed to maximise power and consistency. While the paddle is currently awaiting UPA-A approval, Groechel anticipates certification shortly, with plans to release limited quantities of USAP-approved models in the brand’s signature shapes—Hurrache-X, Vapor, and Pegasus—in the coming months.
Fans won’t have to wait long to see this new alliance in action. Bar is scheduled to debut the Vapor Power 2 on the court at the PPA Masters in early January,. This move signals a bold start to 2026 for both the athlete and the growing equipment manufacturer.
Parris Todd Hit with Historic $50,000 Fine for Unauthorised Japan Exhibition
Dallas, USA – The United Pickleball Association (UPA) has issued a staggering $50,000 fine and a two-event suspension to top-ranked pro Parris Todd following her participation in an unsanctioned event in Japan. The penalties, announced on December 31, 2025, underscore the league’s strict enforcement of exclusivity agreements.
Todd’s suspension, which includes one Major League Pickleball (MLP) event and one PPA Tour event, stems from her involvement in clinics and exhibitions hosted by the Pickleball Japan Federation at Tokyo’s Ariake Tennis Park around December 10,. She was reportedly a late addition to the roster, stepping in for Tyra Black.
While Todd faces suspension, the consequences were even more severe for her fellow travellers. Contracts for James Ignatowich, Ryan Fu, and Vivian Glozman were terminated for their roles in the same event. The UPA described the violation as “black-and-white,” stating that participating in competitor events breaches the terms of their agreements. However, the terminated players have filed an appeal, arguing that their contracts did not explicitly prohibit the activity and that they did not promote a rival tour.
Todd’s situation appears distinct due to procedural nuances; sources indicate she submitted a request for approval through league channels, though the event’s scope ultimately differed from the original description. As the UPA reviews the appeals, the #5-ranked singles player will be sidelined, sending a clear message to the tour’s roster regarding international exhibitions.
Phuc Huynh Eyes Global Growth After Breakout 2025 Season
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Following a historic year for Asian pickleball, Vietnamese standout Phuc Huynh has declared his intentions to make 2026 an even greater year for the sport in his home country. Huynh, who finished third overall in the inaugural PPA Tour Asia rankings, described his 2025 season as “unforgettable”.
Huynh’s breakout year was defined by dominance on home soil, where he secured gold medals at both the MB Vietnam Cup and the MB Vietnam Open. He also claimed silver at the Sansan Fukuoka Open in Japan, cementing his status as one of the region’s premier talents. This success is particularly poignant given that 2025 marked his first full year living in Vietnam full-time, a move he says allowed him to grow personally and professionally.
“Watching the rise and explosive growth of pickleball in Vietnam has been absolutely unreal,” Huynh wrote in a heartfelt social media post. He credited his achievements to the unwavering support of his sponsors, Pickleball D-Joy and Zocker Pickleball Việt Nam, as well as the energy provided by his fans.
Looking ahead, the No. 3-ranked player in Asia is not resting on his laurels. Huynh emphasized that his goal is to “work harder than ever” to ensure the sport continues its upward trajectory. “2026 [will be] an even better year—not just for myself, but for the growth of pickleball in Vietnam and beyond,” he promised.
The End of the Power Era? Industry Insiders Predict “Tech and Texture” Revolution in 2026
Austin, USA – After a year defined by a frantic race for paddle power, the pickleball industry may be on the verge of a “power recession” in 2026. Top equipment reviewers surveyed by The Dink predict a market shift toward control, advanced durability, and high-tech integration as regulations tighten.
Braydon from Pickleball Effect suggests that the “power novelty” is fading. He argues that recreational players are realising high-power paddles hurt their game, predicting a return to all-court and lower-power equipment. “For most recreational players, today’s popular high-power paddles are more limiting than helpful,” he noted.
Instead of raw pop, the new battleground will be texture and internal construction. Reviewers like Bobby from Pickleball Blast and Louis from Pickleball Pursuit foresee “durable grit” becoming the number one trend, with new technologies ensuring spin potential lasts longer than a few weeks,. Internally, brands are expected to experiment with complex foam densities—using materials like TPU and silicone—to tune sweet spots and weight distribution rather than just amplifying power.
However, not everyone agrees the power wars are over. Rafa, the “Pickleball Tech Dude,” contends that manufacturers have yet to hit the legal ceiling, predicting 2026 will still see paddles that push the limits of the Performance-Based Compliance (PBCoR) standards. Meanwhile, reviewers like Matt hop for a digital leap, envisioning the integration of gyroscopes and sensors directly into paddles to provide players with granular swing data.
Anna Leigh Waters Officially Free Agent as Paddletek Deal Expires
Delray Beach, USA – The pickleball world is bracing for a seismic shift as the contract between world #1 Anna Leigh Waters and longtime sponsor Paddletek officially expires today, December 31, 2025. The expiration sets the stage for what is expected to be the most lucrative sponsorship deal in the sport’s history.
Speculation reached a fever pitch earlier this week when Waters’ likeness was scrubbed from the Paddletek website. While it remains possible she could re-sign, the industry rumour mill is churning with possibilities ranging from established giants like JOOLA and Selkirk to wildcards like Wilson or Adidas. Reports suggest her next contract will command “six zeros per year” and extend for three years or more.
Adding to the intrigue are unsubstantiated whispers of a potential apparel deal with Nike, a move that would mark a major entry for the athletic titan into the pickleball space.
With the PPA Masters set to begin on January 12, the clock is ticking for Waters to secure her new equipment. Whether she debuts a new brand or returns to Paddletek, the outcome of this negotiation will likely set the financial benchmark for professional pickleball for years to come. As of now, the only certainty is that the sport’s winningest player is officially on the open market.
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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