Global Pickleball News: IPBL Kickoff, Gran Canaria, Hangzhou Open
Hello, pickleballers!
It's the first news bulletin for December - wow, it's the month of Christmas already.
Get all the latest pickleball news from around the world below.
Delhi Showcases Pickleball Revolution: Inaugural IPBL Kicks Off with Fast Courts and Statement Wins
New Delhi, India – The inaugural Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) roared into action from December 1–7, 2025, at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, establishing the city as the epicentre of India’s new sporting revolution. Sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) and launched by The Times Group, the league brought together top Indian and international players.
Day One delivered intense competition across three ties. The Lucknow Leopards made a commanding debut by overpowering the Bengaluru Blasters 5–1. Lucknow’s success was anchored by Aditya Ruhela winning the Men’s Singles 15–10, and Shelby Bates, who dominated Women’s Singles 15–5 and clinched a crucial Women’s Doubles win with Naomi Amalsadiwala 15–13. Ryler DeHeart, Lucknow's Male Player of the Tie, lauded the venue, calling the setup, lights, and atmosphere "the best centre court I’ve ever seen in pickleball across the world".
The Hyderabad Royals secured a 4–2 victory against Capital Warriors Gurgaon. Key players Ben Newell and Megan Fudge swept their respective singles and doubles matches. Fudge, the Female Player of the Tie, encouraged her team to "turn the nerves into excitement". Newell noted that native Indian players are "holding their own" but encouraged them to trust their offensive weapons more, focusing less on defense-first play.
In the final tie, Chennai Super Warriors hammered Mumbai Smashers 5–1. Despite Mumbai’s Quang Duong edging the Men’s Singles 15–12, Chennai's Mitchell Hargreaves and Harsh Mehta rallied to win Men’s Doubles 15–9, and Roos Van Reek clinched a hard-fought Women’s Singles 15–12.
The IPBL uses a high-intensity format featuring five matches per tie (including a Grand Rally worth two match points) designed to keep the competition fierce. After Day One, Chennai Super Warriors and Lucknow Leopards led the standings with five total match points each. Players universally noted the indoor court's fast surface and low bounce, requiring instant adjustments, deeper bends, and frequent use of the slice shot. Bengaluru Blasters’ senior campaigner Shraddha Damani described the indoor court as "very fast" and hinted that her "strong backhand" would be her signature move upon entering the competition.
Sabrina Méndez Achieves Historic Treble at Gran Canaria Open to Crown Season Champions
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain – The Gran Canaria Open 2025 successfully concluded the season, delivering the final medals of the Pickle Pro Tour 2025 national circuit, which is officially sanctioned by the RFET. Sabrina Méndez of Madrid dominated the final stop, securing a remarkable treble that cemented her status as one of the circuit’s top players.
Méndez began her winning streak by capturing the Women's Singles title against Raquel Amaro. She showed fierce control in the first game (21/6), but Amaro battled back to take the second (19/21). Méndez ultimately accelerated in the decisive third game, winning 21/19. This victory elevated her to tie Pep Canyadell as the player with the most titles on the national circuit.
Méndez continued her dominance in Women’s Doubles, where she debuted alongside María Costantino. The duo were crowned champions in a commanding performance against Rocío Cardo and Clara Contis, winning 21/17 and 21/10. Costantino secured her fourth title, while Méndez added another gold to her expansive collection. Méndez capped off her stellar tournament run by winning the Mixed Doubles final with partner Jesús García, beating American players Dennis Uspensky and Amanda Rosati (21/15, 21/14). This final win brought Méndez’s total tour titles to ten.
In the Men's Singles category, Ignasi de Rueda was unstoppable, claiming his fifth Pickle Pro Tour title by defeating Alberto Horcajuelo 21/10, 21/13. García, fresh off his Mixed Doubles win, also secured a second gold in the Men’s Doubles category with partner Illescas. The pair, who started the year as ‘dark horses,’ concluded the tour with three titles and five finals appearances, showcasing their experience to defeat debut final contestants Jesús Campos and Javier Gallego (21/17, 21/14). The spectacle of intensity included standout points in the Men’s Singles bracket from Alexander Serrano and a crucial crosscourt bandeja by Alberto Horcajuelo in the final.
Manders Claims Hat-Trick of Titles at Bermuda National Pickleball Championships
Hamilton, Bermuda – The 2025 National Championships confirmed the relentless growth of pickleball in Bermuda, drawing nearly 100 entries across 23 divisions for five days of exciting action at WER Joell Stadium. National champions were crowned across multiple skill levels and age groups in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
Gavin Manders delivered a standout performance, securing a hat-trick of titles to affirm his status as the No. 1 male player in Bermuda. Manders won the Men’s Singles crown decisively, defeating Tom Mills 11-2, 11-6 in the final. He followed this by partnering with Mical Russell to take the Men’s Doubles 4.5+ title, battling back from a game down to beat Jamie Stowe and Jasper Thomas. Manders completed his treble in the Mixed Doubles 4.5+ competition, teaming up with Patricia Mills to beat Stowe and Lily Hallett.
Bermuda's top female player, Imani Phillips, also showcased her class by winning the Women’s Singles final against Rachel Sawden. In Women’s Doubles 4.0+, Mills and Melisa Judd combined to beat Hallett and Courtney Fisher.
Manders, along with Emma Simmons (who won the over-50 women’s singles), received the outstanding performance and achievement Award. Mical Russell was recognised with the passion, perseverance & excellence Award for his competitive spirit and dedication. Additionally, Val Stevenson received an award for outstanding contribution to the Pickleball Association Bermuda's success. PAB President George Thomas celebrated the event, noting it highlighted the "incredible talent, sportsmanship, and community spirit" that make pickleball a vibrant part of Bermuda’s sporting landscape.
Staksrud and Garnett Lead Blockbuster Lineup for PPA Tour Asia Finale in China
Hangzhou, China – The PPA Tour Asia season is set for a blockbuster curtain closer this week as the Vibrant Linping Hangzhou Open takes place at the Linping Sports Center. The final stop features a loaded lineup guaranteeing high-octane action across the draws.
Argentinian superstar Federico Staksrud, fresh off winning gold in Men's Singles and Men's Doubles at the Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships in Dallas, headlines the Men’s Singles competition. Staksrud is maximising his medal opportunities, also pairing with Alix Truong in Mixed Doubles and Armaan Bhatia in Men’s Doubles.
The field also marks the "Return of the King" with Connor Garnett back in Asia, hunting for more gold. Garnett, the tour’s maiden Triple Crown winner, went undefeated at the Sansan Fukuoka Open and is aiming to go six-for-six on the continent. He is teamed up with UPA Asia Trailblazer Ting Chieh Wei in Mixed Doubles and Blaine Hovenier in Men’s Doubles.
The hometown crowd will rally behind China’s top-ranked women’s singles star, Yufei Long, who is also competing in Mixed Doubles with Hovenier and Women’s Doubles with Sahra Dennehy.
In the Women’s Doubles category, a gold-medal partnership has formed that positions them as heavy favourites: Zoey Wang and Alix Truong. Wang previously won consecutive titles at the Vietnam and Malaysia Cups, while Truong took the title at the MB Vietnam Open, making them a formidable pairing. The Men’s Singles field, also featuring Hovenier, Hong Kit Wong, and Thomas Yu, is so deep that the path to the podium will be challenging for every competitor. Fans can catch the live action on Pickleballtv starting Wednesday at 8 pm ET.
Global Amateur Showdown: MiLP National Championship Brings $100,000 Prize Purse to Dallas
Dallas, United States – The 2025 The Dink Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) National Championship is set to showcase the world’s strongest amateur players from December 3 to 7 at Pickler Universe. Billed as the biggest MiLP National Championship yet, the event features a massive $100,000 prize purse and an unprecedented international field.
The competition has attracted 1,172 registrations from 982 unique competitors making up 318 teams. The age range of competitors highlights the sport’s broad appeal, spanning from 10-year-olds to 69-year-olds, all of whom earned their spot in Dallas.
The growth of MiLP has exploded internationally, resulting in the most global field in the championship's history. Athletes are travelling from 35 U.S. states and a total of 23 different home countries, including Australia, Canada, China, Guatemala, Italy, and New Zealand. MiLP’s leagues and sanctioned tournaments are now worldwide, spanning over 15 countries across five continents, all focused on bringing team-based pickleball to the masses.
The five-day format kicks off midweek with the 50+ Masters Divisions on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday is dedicated entirely to the MiLP’s newest offering: the 3v3 gendered format. This rapid-fire format features rotating trios and a compact three-game structure instead of a traditional four-player team, ensuring nonstop action. The Open Age DUPR divisions (12–22) take over court action throughout the weekend on Saturday and Sunday. For those unable to attend, the event will be streamed live on The Dink YouTube channel, offering full court coverage and rolling match updates.
Pickleball Reality Series Set for January Debut, Promising Pro Contracts and Franchise Ownership
United States – Pickleball Kingdom announced the highly anticipated launch of Season 1 of Pickleball Kingdom Paddle Battle, slated to officially debut on YouTube in mid-January 2026. The series is touted as the first-ever pickleball competition reality series, designed to appeal to sports fans, pickleball enthusiasts, and reality TV viewers alike.
The debut season will follow 16 players as they chase "life-changing destinies," featuring heartfelt storylines, drama, friendships, and rivalries designed to draw in audiences immediately. Ace Rodrigues, the show's creator and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom, highlighted the stakes, stating, “We will make four dreams come true, for two players on the court and for two in business. Lives will be changed”.
The format will feature episodes that delve into the contestants' backstories while testing their agility, strategy, and ability to adapt to ever-changing circumstances, both on and off the court.
The ultimate prizes are divided between professional careers and business ownership. Two winners—one man and one woman—will earn professional pickleball contracts for a year based on their performance on the court. Meanwhile, another man and woman will be awarded their own Pickleball Kingdom franchises, based on an audience vote. Rodrigues issued a challenge to non-players, encouraging them to watch just one episode, saying he believes the show "will touch your soul".
Palm Beach Royals Secure State-of-the-Art ‘Royal Court’ at Boca Paddle by CityPickle
Boca Raton, United States – The Major League Pickleball (MLP) expansion franchise, the Palm Beach Royals, announced on Monday that Boca Paddle by CityPickle will serve as their official home base starting with the 2026 season. The venue will host the team’s practices, matches, and various community events.
The Royals franchise was acquired for a record $16 million by Hyperspace Ventures, a group composed of UNC-Chapel Hill alumni and tech entrepreneurs, including Zach Hunter, Taylor Meyer, and Alex Rafiee.
The new state-of-the-art facility is set to feature a massive “Royal Court,” designed with 700+ seating capacity and VIP lounges for fans. Beyond the court, the facility will include the Royals headquarters, situated in a 500+ square foot office space, and a dedicated team section within the pro shop offering limited edition merchandise.
The ambitious ownership group includes several high-profile athletes and figures, such as Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, US Open champion Bianca Andreescu, and former UNC basketball stars Tyler Hansbrough and Marvin Williams. Alongside hosting MLP matches, the Royals plan to solidify pickleball's presence in the region's athletic culture by hosting youth clinics and community pickleball festivals across Palm Beach County.
49 Hours of Play: Pickle Breakers Shatter Marathon Pickleball World Record Attempt for Charity
Carrollton, United States – The nonprofit organisation The Pickle Breakers successfully completed a heroic endurance feat last week, playing 49 consecutive hours of pickleball at Pickler Universe in the Dallas suburb of Carrollton, TX. The four-person team—Chong "CK" Kim, Geneva Olson, Cristobal Del Castillo, and Abla Mannarino—started competing early Saturday and finished Monday morning, targeting the Guinness World Record for the "Longest marathon playing pickleball (doubles)".
The current certified record stands at 34 hours, 5 minutes, and 55 seconds. The Pickle Breakers pushed their attempt to 49 hours after learning that a Pennsylvania-based group had recently attempted 48 hours. Kim noted the decision required "a lot of heartache and a lot of conversations" but ultimately secured their new world record attempt, which is now pending final certification.
Beyond setting a historic athletic mark, the marathon match served a crucial charitable purpose: raising funds for UPA Tour pro Thomas Wilson. Wilson is currently battling a rare autoimmune and autonomic nervous system disorder, requiring costly treatments such as therapeutic plasma exchange and stem-cell therapy. The Pickle Breakers organisation is dedicated to breaking barriers through pickleball, connecting athletes, and raising funds for important causes.
Unifying the Pro Circuit: Global Pickleball Alliance Unveils Unified Rankings and Shared Schedule
United States – The Global Pickleball Alliance (GPA) and Global Pickleball Rankings (GPR) were formally announced this week by a consortium of major pickleball entities. The Alliance, which is led by the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Tour, aims to bring unprecedented unity to the sport internationally.
The GPA’s core mission is to establish the world’s first shared professional schedule, a unified global ranking system (GPR), and a collaborative governance framework. This structure is intended to strengthen player pathways, ensure consistent standards, and increase international exposure for professional pickleball.
Founding members of the Alliance span five continents, demonstrating the organisation’s broad reach. These members include the APP (USA), the National Pickleball League (Australia), D-Joy Pickleball (Vietnam), Global Sports Pickleball (India), the Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL), Pickleball England (UK), and the European Pickleball Federation, along with participation from Malaysia and Japan. APP Tour Founder Ken Herrmann called the announcement a "monumental day in pickleball history," emphasising the alliance creates "unprecedented unity".
The GPA has already updated its calendar to feature over 35 sanctioned events scheduled for the 2026 calendar year. The first official event operating under the new GPA banner and the provisional Global Pickleball Rankings framework will be the 2025 Sypik Australia NPL Invitational, set for December 4–7 at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in Melbourne. The introduction of the GPR will allow players to earn ranking points at all GPA events globally.