BY CHRIS BEAUMONT, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
As the calendar turns, the European pickleball community is wasting no time getting back into the swing of things. “Happy New Year 2026, dear pickleball community!” comes the greeting from Germany, where organisers hope players have started the year “sporty, healthy and full of anticipation”. Indeed, “the hot Pickleball tournaments 2026 are finally starting again”. While the weather may be cold, the competition for tournament spots is heating up, with major registration windows opening throughout January for events across the continent.
Mark Your Calendars: Key January Dates
For players looking to fill their spring schedules, this month is critical. The “Pickleball Buer Open” in Germany is offering a specific incentive for early risers: a 5 Euro early registration discount is available until January 14th.
Just a few days later, eyes turn to Belgium. The “Pickle Thuin” tournament, set for late March in a “very friendly atmosphere” at the Hall polyvalent in Thuin, opens its registration on Monday, January 19. Organisers warn players not to delay, predicting that “spots will go fast”.
Rounding out the month, the “Picklelove Tour” has announced that its registration opens on Saturday, January 24th.
The Rise of the Circuit and Team Events
The 2026 season is seeing a surge in organised tour structures and team formats. The Picklelove Tour is gearing up for an extensive run, with its first official stage kicking off in Madrid on March 21. The tour will continue through the spring and early summer with stops in Lyon, Malaga, Alba, Rome, Heidelberg, and Padova. This tour emphasises team play, requiring squads of two men and two women to compete in 19+ or 50+ categories at the 3.5 or 5.0 skill levels.
Independent of the tour, Malta Pickleball is calling all players aged 19+, 50+, and 60+ to a separate team event in Malaga, Spain, on March 20 and 21. Geared toward level 3.5-3.9 players, this event guarantees matches in men’s doubles, ladies’ doubles, and mixed doubles.
To help players navigate this growing landscape, digital infrastructure is expanding. “Pickleballplatform.org” has launched its “Soft Opening 2026,” creating a hub that already lists over 244 tournaments worldwide, including 63 across Europe.
Destination Events: Sun, Sea, and Strategy
For those seeking a “vacation you know you need,” the Portugal Pickleball Masters is positioning itself as the event of the year, offering a week of beach, excellent food, and pickleball. Registration is already experiencing high demand; just 10 days in, 123 tickets were sold to players from eight different countries. The 55+ and 60+ Mixed Doubles and 50+ Women Singles are currently the most requested categories.
Looking Ahead: Spring Majors in Germany and Poland
Beyond the immediate January rush, major announcements are dropping for May. In Poland, the “Małopolska Open 2026” is returning to Kraków on May 16-17. Billed as the “biggest pickleball festival in Little Poland,” the event will feature play on 11 professional hard courts, including a central court with audience seating.
Meanwhile, in Solms, Germany, the “2. Mittelhessen Open Solms 2026” is building on its premiere to offer a “bigger, more structured” event with “even more pickleball heart”. Using CircleSquare software for better oversight, the organisers aim to balance athletic competence with a sense of community.
As the season opens, the message to European players is clear: “Are you just going to stand there and lose your spot?”. The 2026 season is officially open—game on.
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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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