Pickleball continues to grow at a rapid pace, and 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest tournament years yet. This 2026 pickleball tournament calendar highlights the top amateur, professional, and regional events across the United States and internationally, helping players, fans, and tournament organizers plan their competitive year with confidence. Whether you’re entering your first pickleball tournament, chasing medals on the pro tour, or organizing an event of your own, this guide breaks down the must-know tournaments, key dates, and insights to help you choose the right competitions for your goals.
There are many considerations pickleball players could look for in a pickleball tournament. One aspect that may be important to pickleball players is the size of the pickleball tournament (which can impact the event quality and the overall experience for athletes and spectators).
How to Run a Pickleball Tournament
The Tech That Powers the Sport, Pickleball Den – Pickleball Club and Tournament Software, is a powerful and easy way for tournament directors, club managers and league managers to seamlessly organize and run events. The software automates every step of the way from the first registration to the last medal awarded. Pickleball Den is also a fully integrated club and league platform offering a seamless pickleball technology platform.
Pickleball Major Tournaments
The two biggest pickleball tournaments in the world that every competitive player should know in 2026 are:
US Open Pickleball Championships
The US Open Pickleball Championships, held in Naples, Florida since 2016, has reshaped what a premier pickleball tournament can be—and in 2026, it celebrates its 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, the event has more than tripled in size, earning its reputation by pairing world-class competition with an unmatched focus on the amateur player experience and a welcoming, festival-like atmosphere.
Hosted at the preeminent East Naples Community Park, the US Open Pickleball Championships should be at the very top of your pickleball tournament bucket list. Known worldwide as The Biggest Pickleball Party in the World™, the weeklong event draws thousands of athletes and spectators each year. The 2026 US Open Pickleball Championships will take place April 11–18, with special anniversary moments and expanded experiences expected throughout the week.
The US Open Player Lottery will take place through Pickleball Den January 14-20, 2026.
With heightened demand during this milestone year, preparation matters more than ever. For a complete breakdown of timelines, tips, and common pitfalls, be sure to read Inside the Den’s article: “What Players Need to Know Before the US Open Player Lottery.”
Key things to know about the US Open Player Lottery:
- If registering for a doubles event, you must be registered with a partner indicated before the lottery closes.
- You may register at any time during the lottery window (January 14–20, 2026). Priority is not given according to when you register.
- US Open Lottery winners will be notified by email on January 28, 2026.
- Payment is not required until a confirmation email is received.
For more information visit https://www.usopenpickleball.com/event-guide/registration.
USA Pickleball National Championships & Other USA Pickleball Tournaments
USA Pickleball, the governing body for the sport of pickleball in the United States, organizes one of the largest pickleball tournaments in the world, the USA Pickleball National Championships. The 2025 event wrapped up on November 23 in San Diego, CA. The National Championships will return to San Diego in 2026, taking place October 31 – November 8, 2026.
The USA Pickleball 2026 online calendars provide the most up-to-date list of regional tournaments and the National Championship Series for the 2026 calendar year.
Pro Pickleball Tournaments & Events
The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) as well as Major League Pickleball (MLP) are back in action in 2026. The PPA markets itself as the pro tour where the pros play, while the APP positions itself as the pro tour where everyone plays. The PPA, Major League Pickleball (MLP), and The APP have all published their respective 2026 event calendars.
For a complete rundown of all pro pickleball tournaments and events in the 2026 calendar year, see the list below, and check out each pro tour’s calendar online. (Dates and locations subject to change by organizers.)
January 2026 Pickleball Tournaments
- January 9-11: Punta Gorda PPA Challenger, Punta Gorda, FL
- January 10-11: APP Collegiate Series, Cape Coral, FL
- January 12-18: PPA – The Masters, Rancho Mirage, CA
- January 19-25: PPA – Indoor National Championships, Lakeville, MN
- January 21-25: USA Pickleball Golden Ticket – Glendale, Glendale, AZ
- January 23-25: Tucson PPA Challenger, Tucson, AZ
- January 24-25: APP Collegiate Series, Webster, TX
- January 31-February 1: APP Collegiate Series, Hamilton, NJ
February 2026 Pickleball Tournaments
- February 3-8: APP – 2026 Indian Open (TBD)
- February 7-8: APP Collegiate Series, Carmel, IN
- February 9-14: APP Kuala Lumpur Open, Malaysia
- February 9-15: PPA – Cape Coral Open, Cape Coral, FL
- February 13-15: APP Next San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
- February 16-22: PPA – Mesa Cup, Mesa, AZ
- February 18-22: USA Pickleball Golden Ticket – Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
- February 20-22: Houston PPA Challenger, Atascocita, TX
- February 27-March 1: APP Japan Open, Japan
March 2026 Pickleball Tournaments
- March 2-8: PPA – Newport Beach Open, Newport Beach, CA
- March 6-8: APP U.S. Collegiate Championships, Cape Coral, FL
- March 6-8: Harbour Island PPA Challenger, Tampa, FL
- March 9-15: APP – Global Sports Pickleball Event (TBD)
- March 9-15: PPA – Texas Open, McKinney, TX
- March 11-15: USA Pickleball Golden Ticket – Opelika, Opelika, AL
- March 19-22: APP – Pickleball D-Joy Event (TBD)
- March 20-22: APP Next Las Vegas, Henderson, NV
- March 23-29: PPA – Greater Zion Cup, Ivins, UT
- March 25-29: USA Pickleball Golden Ticket – Boise, Meridian, ID
- March 26-29: APP – AARP Open, Seattle, WA
April 2026 Pickleball Tournaments
- April 3-5: Newport Beach PPA Challenger, Newport Beach, CA
- April 11-18: US Open Pickleball Championships, Naples, FL
- April 13-19: PPA – Sacramento Open, Sacramento, CA
- April 17-19: PPA – 2026 Opelika Challenger, Opelika, AL
- April 22-26: USA Pickleball Golden Ticket – San Diego, San Diego, CA
- April 27-May 3: PPA – Atlanta Pickleball Championships, Peachtree Corners, GA
- April 29: APP Pro Invitational, Roseville, CA
- April 30-May 3: APP Sacramento Open, Rosevill, CA
May 2026 Pickleball Tournaments
- May 4-10: PPA Finals, San Clemente, CA
- May 22-24: APP Next Houston, Webster, TX
- May 22-24: PPA – Wilson PPA Challenger, Wilson, NC
- May 22-25: MLP – Dallas, TX
- May 28-31: MLP – Columbus, OH
- May 29-31: PPA – Fort Collins PPA Challenger, Fort Collins, CO
June 2026 Pickleball Tournaments
- June 4-7: MLP – St. Louis, MO
- June 11-14: APP Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
- June 11-14: MLP – Austin, TX
- June 12-14: Boise PPA Challenger, Meridian, ID
- June 18-21: APP – Pickleball D-Joy Event (TBD)
- June 18-21: MLP – St. Petersburg, FL
- June 19- 21: APP Next Dallas, Grapevine, TX
- June 24-28: USA Pickleball Golden Ticket – Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO
- June 25-28: MLP – New York, NY
- June 26-28: Portland PPA Challenger, Westbrook, ME
July 2026 Pickleball Tournaments
- July 3-5: APP Japan, Tokyo, Japan
- July 8-12: MLP – Grand Rapids, MI
- July 16-19: MLP – Newport Beach, CA
- July 17-19: Macon PPA Challenger, Macon, GA
- July 22: APP Pro Invitational, Highland Park, IL
- July 23-26: APP Chicago Open, Highland Park, IL
- July 23-26: MLP – TBD
- July 28-August 2: APP – 2026 Monsoon Open (TBD)
- July 31-August 2: APP Next St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
- July 30-August 2: MLP – Walt Disney World, FL
- July 31-August 2: Wisconsin PPA Challenger, Lake Hallie, WI
August 2026 Pickleball Tournaments
- August 3-9: APP Malaysia Open (TBD)
- August 6-9: MLP Playoffs – Dallas, TX
- August 12-16: APP – 2026 English Open (TBD)
- August 13-16: MLP Playoffs – San Diego, CA
- August 14-16: Seattle PPA Challenger, Seattle, WA
- August 20-23: APP Detroit Open, Novi, MI
- August 28-30: MLP Playoffs – New York, NY
September 2026 Pickleball Tournaments
- September 3-6: APP – 2026 Canadian Open (TBD)
- September 10-13: APP – Pickleball D-Joy Event (TBD)
- September 17-20: APP Overland Park Open, Overland Park, KS
- September 18-20: Grand Rapids PPA Challenger, Rockford, MI
- September 19-20: APP Japan – Xebio Sendai Open
- September 25-27: Rochester PPA Challenger, Webster, NY
October 2026 Pickleball Tournaments
- October 1-4: APP Columbus Open, Columbus, OH
- October 6-11: APP – 2026 European Open (TBD)
- October 15-18: APP Louisville Open, Lousiville, KY
- October 21-25: APP – Dubai Open (TBD)
- October 23-25: APP Next Kansas City, Overland Park, KS
- October 31-November 8: USA Pickleball National Championships, San Diego, CA
November 2026 Pickleball Tournaments
- November 12-15: APP Arizona Open, Mesa, AZ
December 2026 Pickleball Tournaments
- December 3-6: APP Tour Championships, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- December 11-13: APP Next Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- December 11-20: APP – 2026 Indian Grand Slam (TBD)
- December 31: APP Pro Invitational (TBD)
Regional Pickleball Tournaments
In addition to the pickleball tournaments outlined above, there are also hundreds of large and small competition events across the United States and around the world. Many of these other tournaments are organized by local pickleball clubs and communities. It’s important to support these local tournaments because these grassroots efforts are how the sport of pickleball will continue to grow and evolve. For instance, some of these local pickleball tournaments are organized to raise money to invest in new pickleball courts or provide pickleball equipment to schools. Be on the lookout for local pickleball tournaments near you!
How to Sign Up for a Pickleball Tournament
To learn more about local and regional pickleball tournaments, there are a handful of platforms, such as Pickleball Den, which share event information and online registration opportunities. In general, a quick online search for pickleball tournaments in your zip code or metro area will yield a collection of upcoming events you can consider for tournament play.
Pickleball Tournament Tips
Pickleball tournaments can be a fun way to test your skills on the court. However, playing competitive pickleball in a tournament is very different from playing recreational pickleball. There can be added pressure, lots of starts and stops throughout the day, and different pickleball rules to be concerned with. As a result, it is important to prepare yourself both physically and mentally if you decide to play in pickleball tournaments. Inside the Den is here to help with the pickleball newsletter, blogs, social media, e-books, and online video lessons to elevate your pickleball skills and strategy on the pickleball court!
