A new global alliance has launched between the biggest organisations in pickleball – allowing them to create a worldwide tournament calendar and a streamlined infrastructure for the leading professional players.
The Association of Pickleball Players (APP), Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL), European Pickleball Federation (EPF), India’s Global Sports, Australia’s National Pickleball League (NPL), Pickleball England, and Vietnam’s Pickleball D-Joy have come together to announce the plans.
“This is a monumental day for pickleball worldwide, and the APP is honored to be officially partnering with such a passionate and professional group of organizations,” said APP founder Ken Herrmann in a statement. “The APP always has been player focused, and now, we’re able to continue that mission worldwide and provide more competitive opportunities for players than ever before. It is our steadfast focus to evolve the credibility and growth of the sport to a place where pros are free and supported to chase their career dreams.”
There will be a minimum of 30 tournaments on the 2026 calendar, with no scheduling conflicts, and designated into three tiers, with progressive prize pools and point earnings (similar to the Slams, 1000, 500, 250 and 100 events in tennis).
The 2026 calendar currently looks like this:
- Dec. 5-7, 2025: NPL Invitational (Australia)
- End of Jan: Australian Open
- Feb. 3-8: Indian Open (Global Sports)
- Feb. 18-22: APP Daytona Beach Open
- Mar. 9-15: Global Sports Pickleball Event (India/Dubai)
- Mar. 19-22: Pickleball D-Joy Event (Vietnam)
- Mar. 25-29: APP Fort Lauderdale Open
- Apr. 13-19: U.S. Open
- Apr. 29 – May 3: APP Sacramento Open
- May 13-17: APP Southern California Open
- May 27-31: APP Virginia Beach Open
- June 10-14: APP Vlasic Classic – Cincinnati
- June 18-21: Pickleball D-Joy Event (Vietnam)
- July 22-26: APP Chicago Open
- July 28 – Aug. 2: Monsoon Open (Global Sports)
- Aug. 12-16: English Open powered by the APP
- Aug. 19-23: APP Detroit Open
- Sept. 3-6: Canadian Open (CNPL)
- Sept. 10-13: Pickleball D-Joy Event (Vietnam)
- Sept. 16-20: APP Overland Park Open
- Sept. 30 – Oct. 4: APP Women’s Open
- Oct. 6-11: European Open (EPF)
- Oct. 14-18: Humana APP Louisville Open
- Oct. 21-25: Dubai Open (Global Sports)
- Oct. 28 – Nov. 1: APP Arizona Open
- Nov. 12-15: APP Pro-Invite Event
- Nov. 16-22: USA Pickleball National Championships
- Nov. 30 – Dec. 6: APP Tour Championships + Atlantic Cup
- Dec. 11-20: Indian Grand Slam (Global Sports)
“Collaboration is key to growing pickleball globally,” added Pickleball England’s Karen Mitchell in a statement. “This alliance ensures players can plan their season with confidence, knowing the major events complement each other rather than compete. It’s good for the players, good for the sport, and it demonstrates Pickleball England’s commitment to bringing the international community together.”
