Carvana Renews PPA Tour Title Sponsorship in Multi-Year Deal
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Carvana, the online auto giant, has announced a multi-year renewal of its title sponsorship with the PPA Tour, a move that confirms the significant business momentum and long-term potential of professional pickleball.
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Professional pickleball has received a significant boost with the announcement that Carvana, the well-known online automotive retailer, has renewed its title sponsorship of the PPA Tour. Carvana has been the title sponsor of the PPA Tour since 2022, and the recent multi-year renewal signals their continued commitment to the sport. This partnership began with Carvana sponsoring the Desert Ridge Open in early 2022, before they fully committed as the title sponsor later that year. The initial deal in October 2022 was already seen as a sign that major companies were recognising the long-term value in pickleball.
The multi-year renewal reinforces the perspective held by many in the sport: that pickleball is not merely a temporary trend but a rapidly growing movement. Since Carvana's initial partnership, they have played a key role in helping professional pickleball expand at an accelerated pace. Evidence of this growth is seen in attendance figures and viewership. Over 320,000 fans attended PPA Tour events in 2024, and millions more watched through various broadcast and streaming platforms. The sport's financial landscape has also seen substantial growth, with prize purses exceeding $30 million. New media initiatives, such as PickleballTV, have further brought the sport into homes across the country, demonstrating its increasing accessibility and popularity.
Connor Pardoe, Founder and CEO of the PPA Tour, emphasised the importance of the partnership. He stated that Carvana is the largest and most impactful sponsor of professional pickleball and that their investment in fan engagement and dedication to growing the sport aligns perfectly with the PPA Tour's vision. The renewal validates the significant investment Carvana has made and continues to make in the sport.
Looking ahead, the PPA is planning for its biggest season yet in 2025. This will include hosting over 20 marquee events, enhancing the experience for fans attending in person, and improving offerings for amateur players who wish to "play where the pros play". Carvana's recommitment means more than just a strong relationship between a brand and a sport; it indicates that the sport possesses staying power and considerable upside potential.
This positive news for the PPA Tour follows another significant corporate sponsorship in professional pickleball. Just a month prior, Major League Pickleball (MLP) announced its own multi-year rebrand deal with DoorDash. With major brands like Carvana and DoorDash investing heavily in professional pickleball, the sport is clearly transitioning from being just a recreational activity to a serious business venture. This trend suggests that the business side of pickleball is gaining momentum.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Carvana's multi-year renewal of its title sponsorship with the PPA Tour is a powerful affirmation of professional pickleball's growing commercial viability and stability. This continued investment from a major national brand validates the substantial fan engagement, viewership growth, and increasing prize money seen in recent years. Coupled with other significant sponsorships like DoorDash's deal with MLP, it strongly indicates that professional pickleball has moved beyond its nascent stage and is now a recognised, attractive platform for corporate partnerships with significant long-term potential.