by Kelly Campbell
In an August 2025 press release, the Association of Professional Pickleball (APP) announced that it is leading the first-ever pickleball alliance.
We know that international pickleball has been exploding recently, particularly in Asia and Australia, but we’ve struggled to identify one definitive leading international organization. The incoming global alliance could be the key that truly unites pickleball players worldwide to work toward a common goal. While many organizations and federations have attempted to enhance pickleball’s international presence, the authority and pull of the APP will likely have more of an impact than we’ve seen to date.
With this move, we can expect monumental international pickleball growth, unifying world tours, greater competition, more support for pickleball inclusion at the Olympics, and incredible opportunities for American and global players. Read on for more.
Everything We Know About the Global Pickleball Alliance
The alliance will include the following members: APP (USA), Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL), European Pickleball Federation (EPF), Global Sports (India), National Pickleball League (Australia), Pickleball England, and Pickleball D-Joy (Vietnam).
With the announcement comes the launch of the first-ever global professional pickleball tour, starting late 2025 through 2026, with the first of 30+ events taking place in December 2025 in Australia. There will also be an Australian Open in January 2026, Indian Open in February 2026, and other events throughout the year in Vietnam, Canada, the UK, and across Europe.
These are the events scheduled to take place in the U.S., now listed on a global calendar with other international tournaments and dates, through the APP:
- 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
- July 22-26: APP Chicago Open
- Aug. 19-23: APP Detroit Open
- Oct. 28 – Nov. 1: APP Arizona Open
- Nov. 16-22: USA Pickleball National Championships
To avoid overlapping tournaments, the alliance will utilize the shared global calendar and will introduce a tiered tournament structure with increasing prize money at each level. In 2026, the APP projects over 20% growth in professional player participation.
“This is a monumental day for pickleball worldwide… we’re able to continue that mission worldwide and provide more competitive opportunities than ever before.” – Ken Herrmann, APP Founder.
“(The Global Pickleball Alliance) immediately creates opportunities for players to increase earning potential and awareness — across multiple countries.” – Tom Webb, APP CMO.
A Big Dill for Professional Pickleball Development
The formation of the global alliance marks a pivotal step in evolving pickleball from a fragmented regional sport into a cohesive international circuit, with major benefits for players, fans, and the sport’s future.
While the professional pickleball space has made tremendous strides in recent years, it still remains somewhat fractured. Despite pickleball’s popularity explosion on the recreational level, on the professional level, there has historically been a lack of organization compared to other U.S sports due to conflicting governing bodies.
One of the most exciting pieces to this step is the promise of a unified global ranking system for professional players. Developed with input from all founding members, it will hopefully ensure all international competitors take part in events on the same playing field, regardless of where they are based, and may even help pickleball meet International Olympic Committee (IOC) eligibility. By consolidating under one ranking system, the alliance aims to make pickleball more like tennis or golf, adopting a global tour model that is easier for fans to follow through a centralized calendar and transparent player standings. Alliance members will work together on promotional commercial opportunities and sponsorships for players and their events.
With a more regular and international schedule, an increasing number of events, and larger event map, the tour will become more attractive for TV and streaming deals, increasing earning opportunities for all players. All of this sets the foundation for future expansion into regions such as Latin America and the Middle East.
“This alliance points the way toward the unity our sport desperately needs. For too long administrative division and opposing factions have held pickleball back. This agreement demonstrates how collaboration can deliver a coordinated international calendar, shared rankings and clearer career pathways for players—bringing higher competitive standards, greater commercial investment, and real opportunities for athletes and organisers alike. Today’s breakthrough shows the path forward and gives us a concrete blueprint to keep pushing toward a truly united world game. The European Pickleball Federation will continue to work with partners to turn this promise into reality.” – Frank Arico, President of the European Pickleball Federation.
What’s Next?
As the global pickleball tour gears up for its debut, all eyes are on the alliance’s ability to deliver on its promises and on what comes next for the sport, from Olympic dreams to logistical growing pains.
With so many founding members with differing ideas, opinions, and expectations, developing a global ranking system will likely be more challenging than anticipated, and may take a longer time. Especially as more members from other countries begin to join the alliance, there could be more disputes than we realize. Sustainability will also be a concern, as will ensuring prize money, sponsorships, and participation that keep pace with expansion. It’s unclear whether other major U.S.-based entities like UPA will collaborate, compete, or remain separate. Logistical barriers such as travel coordination, player visas, and venue consistency across regions may further complicate efforts. Hopefully, despite these potential challenges, everything will be a smash.
While the APP and other global alliance members work out the kinks, we’re incredibly excited to see how they fare in the upcoming year and beyond. This move will hopefully and likely build a broader international pickleball community, bolster the APP tour, excite traveling pickleball spectators, and, perhaps most notably, give pickleball a fighting chance at having an Olympic debut sooner than later.
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