The UK Senior Pickleball Association has been launched – and they have announced big plans for the future.
First and foremost, they will host seven events in 2026 – with venues including “four new, dedicated pickleball centres”, plus the University of Kent, the National Tennis Centre, Nottingham and the Meadowbank Centre, Edinburgh. Initially, tournaments will have two age categories, 60 to 65 and 65 and above, each split into three divisions based on DUPR ratings – below 3.0, 3.0 to 3.5, and 3.5 and above.
The UK Senior Pickleball Association also intend to appoint a director responsible for recruitment, development and member support in each of the 92 counties across the UK.
Their launch statement also says: “We are in preliminary discussions with the US Senior Pickleball Association to organise a biennial tournament modelled on the Ryder Cup, with the inaugural event taking place in the UK in 2027. This will see UK and US players, chosen from the rankings, competing against each other.”
They also reiterate that they will be self-funded through sponsorship and membership fees and will not be seeking any monetary support that “could be to the detriment of the three recognised UK governing bodies.”
