BY CHRIS BEAUMONT, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The WPC Málaga Open 2026 is set to bring the World Pickleball Championship circuit to Europe for the first time, spearheaded by the rapidly expanding Pickleball Europe Club.
Historic Arrival of the WPC
The global pickleball landscape is shifting toward the Mediterranean. In a landmark announcement, it has been confirmed that Málaga will host the WPC Málaga Open 2026, marking the first time the prestigious World Pickleball Championship (WPC Series) circuit will arrive on European soil. Scheduled to take place from February 25 to March 1, 2026, the event promises to be the largest international pickleball tournament ever held in Europe.
The tournament will be staged at the world-class José María Martín Carpena Arena, a facility with a capacity for 11,000 spectators. This massive event is the result of an agreement between the WPC Series circuit and the local powerhouse organisation, Pickleball Europe Club.
High Stakes and Professional Play
Organisers are preparing for a massive influx of talent, with over 200 players from four continents expected to converge on Málaga, establishing the city as a strategic hub for the sport’s development across the continent. The competition will play out on 12 professional courts over five days, featuring a total prize purse of €30,000.
The event is designed to showcase high-performance athletes across a variety of formats. Categories will include singles, doubles, and mixed doubles across multiple age brackets—+19, +35, +50, and +60—all competing at the Open level. Additionally, the tournament will serve as the European debut for the Pickleball Champions League (PCL), a national team competition dedicated to the professionalisation of this emerging sport.
To ensure a premium experience for players and fans alike, the arena will be equipped with LED screens, warm-up areas, professional locker rooms, and live streaming of all matches. In a move to boost local engagement, admission will be free for the public, inviting fans to discover the sport firsthand.
Driving Force: Pickleball Europe Club
Behind this continental expansion is Pickleball Europe Club, a business sports group founded in 2022 by Miguel Aróstegui and Juan Luis Cebrián. Based in Málaga, the organisation has quickly established itself as a leading reference for the sport in Andalusia and on the national stage.
Far beyond simple club management, their operations encompass a wide array of services including specialised consultancy, training courses for certified coaches, a sports academy for player development, and the distribution of specific clothing and equipment. Currently, they manage the largest number of pickleball courts in Andalusia, including facilities at Colegio Los Olivos Agustinos.
Strategic Expansion on the Costa del Sol
Pickleball Europe Club’s vision extends to tourism as well. In November 2025, the group signed a strategic alliance with Holiday World Resort to manage the first pickleball club within a hotel complex on the Costa del Sol. Located just 20 minutes from Málaga International Airport, this new facility offers professional courts by the Mediterranean Sea, further consolidating the organisation’s aim to become an international reference for the sport.
With the upcoming WPC Málaga Open and strategic partnerships in place, Málaga is solidifying its commitment to attracting major international sporting events and positioning the Costa del Sol firmly on the global pickleball map.
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