Pickleball expands through national championships and World Cup competition

The professional pickleball landscape continues to expand through major tournaments and international competition. In Cary, the Veolia Pickleball National Championships, presented by Fasenra, drew both professional athletes and approximately 1,000 amateur players. Brian Clark, chief tour officer for the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), noted that Cary was selected due to its established pickleball ecosystem. The PPA was founded in 2019 by Connor Pardoe and has seen significant investment from billionaire Tom Dundon.

On the international stage, the 2026 Pickleball World Cup featured high-stakes competition and global participation. Indian player Kaveer Mehta highlighted the intensity of the tournament, specifically noting India’s quarterfinal victory against Australia. The match was decided by a DreamBreaker, a high-pressure tie-breaking format, following a closely contested team event.