NYC Drama, Diadem and Picklr in Japan, CNPL AI & MLP Austin

Good morning, pickleballers!

We have plenty of pickleball news for you today, covering the latest stories from all over the pickleball world.

Before you dive into all that, why not check out the latest World Pickleball Podcast that we released yesterday?

Gordon Watson and I covered the DJoy Vietnam tournament where there were some shock gold medals, talked about Virat Kohli getting on court, explained the MLPA shuffle draft, went through the Canada kick-off in the CNPL and much more.

You can find us on all the usual podcast platforms or listen directly here.

If you want today's latest news in the form of our Deep Dive, you can listen to that below too.

And, if like me, you prefer the written word - crack on!

America's DIADEM Brand Lands in Japan with New Kobe Pickleball Hub

Kobe, Japan – DIADEM, an American next-generation racket sport brand, is making a full-scale entry into Japan with the creation of a new pickleball facility in Kobe. The new facility is being born from a significant renovation of the ITC Kobe Indoor complex, which will now serve as a combined tennis and pickleball complex facility known as DIADEM PICKLEBALL KOBE. This expansion highlights the growing international presence of American pickleball brands and the sport's increasing popularity in Asia.

Golden Ticket Showdown: Top Pros Battle in NYC at 2025 APP Open Quarterfinals

Queens, NY – The 2025 Zimmer Biomet APP New York City Open, a USA Pickleball Golden Ticket event, saw intense quarterfinal action this week as top players battled for spots in the semifinals and a chance at direct entry to the USA Pickleball National Championships. Held in Queens, NY, this APP Tour stop features high-stakes matches with a $150K prize purse.

On Wednesday, May 21, the Men’s Pro Singles quarterfinals delivered thrilling contests. Alexander Crum completed a dramatic comeback, defeating Richard Livornese Jr. in three sets. India's Armaan Bhatia advanced to the semifinals by winning two close games against Brandon Lane. Chris Haworth also secured his spot, winning his quarterfinal match against Purple Jesus Manthou in two games, while Ronan Camron controlled his match against Grayson Goldin, winning in straight games.

The Women’s Pro Singles quarterfinals also took place on May 21, and Mixed Pro Doubles quarterfinals followed on May 22, adding to the intense competition. Each victory brings players closer to the coveted Golden Ticket, amplifying the pressure in this major tournament that runs through May 25.

Singapore Set to Host PPR Level 1 Coach Certification on June 13, 2025

Singapore, Singapore – The Asia Federation of Pickleball (AFP) is organising its second PPR Level 1 Coach Certification workshop in Singapore, scheduled for June 13, 2025. The one-day event, aimed at pickleball coaches working with adult players at the beginner and improver levels, will take place at Singapore Expo Hall 7.

This certification offers coaches a significant opportunity to enhance their skills, earn professional credentials, and help grow pickleball in Southeast Asia. The workshop will be led by Gary Tan, an AFP-appointed PPR Coach Developer.

The fee to join is SGD $420, which covers all course materials, an online assessment, and a PPR certificate upon successful completion and passing the exam. Aspiring coaches must be at least a 3.5 level player and are required to read a study guide and complete an online video pre-course beforehand. Attendees should come prepared for a five-hour on-court session. Registration is currently open, but limited slots are available.

CNPL Goes High-Tech: New AI Partnership Revolutionises Fan Experience and Sponsor Value

Toronto, Canada – The Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) is set to revolutionise its fan engagement and sponsorship offerings through a new partnership with Magnifi by VideoVerse, named the league's official AI technology partner for the 2025 season. This collaboration aims to leverage artificial intelligence to enhance the digital reach and overall experience for fans and sponsors alike.

Magnifi's AI-powered software can detect exciting moments in games and instantly create highlight clips. These clips will be automatically shared across various platforms, including social media, broadcast, and streaming services, ensuring fans get real-time access to the action.

For sponsors like Onix, Tyrol, and Selkirk, the AI platform will track sponsor logos, player gear, and court branding. This allows for the creation of customised content and detailed return-on-investment reports, providing measurable value to partners.

The CNPL III season, which began on May 17, 2025, features a new four-region format with eight competing teams. Alongside the AI integration, the league has partnered with Game+ as its official broadcast partner to expand media presence across multiple digital and broadcast platforms. The CNPL believes this high-tech approach will deliver its most connected and content-rich season yet, setting a new standard for the sport in Canada.

Pro Indian Masters Open Hits Chennai June 10, 2025: Limited Slots, High Stakes

Chennai, India – The Pro Indian Masters Open Pickleball Tournament is scheduled to take place on June 10, 2025, at Miko Pickleball in Santhome, Chennai. This event, organized under the leadership of Tournament Director Loki, is a significant stop on the PWAI 200 Ranking series.

The tournament offers limited participation slots, and aspiring players must register quickly, as the deadline is May 25, 2025. No entries will be accepted after this date. Categories include Open Men’s Singles, Open Men’s Doubles, and Open Women’s Doubles, with entry fees set at ₹4,000, ₹5,000, and ₹3,000 respectively.

All matches will follow a best-of-three sets format and will be overseen by certified referees and linesmen to ensure fair play and professional conduct. Supported by brands like Selkirk, Ont, Prosi, Stratos, and DUPRHugle, the tournament aims to provide a high-level platform for Indian players to compete and improve their national ranking. Hosting this event further solidifies Chennai's increasing importance in the development of pickleball in India.

Okay, here is the updated news story for MLP Austin, including the fixtures from the sources:

MLP Austin Takes Over Austin Pickle Ranch: Teams Clash on New Courts, Broadcast Live

Austin, USA – Major League Pickleball (MLP) has returned to its origins in Austin, Texas, for the third event of the 2025 season. Hosted by the Texas Ranchers, MLP Austin is being held on two brand-new outdoor courts at Austin Pickle Ranch. This event features several top Premier Level teams, including Dallas, Miami, New Jersey, Texas, and Orlando, as well as all six Challenger Level teams making their debut: Nashville, California, Bay Area, D.C., Florida, and Las Vegas.

Teams in both divisions are essentially playing a round-robin format throughout the week. Fans can catch all the matches live on PickleballTV and the PickleballTV app. Select matches are also broadcast on local TV and the Tennis Channel.

The schedule includes key matchups such as:

• Friday: Texas vs. Orlando (4 p.m. CT)
• Saturday: Orlando vs. Dallas (11 a.m. CT), New Jersey vs. Miami (2:30 p.m. CT), Dallas Flash vs. Texas Ranchers (4:30 p.m. CT)
• Sunday: Orlando vs. New Jersey (11 a.m. CT), Miami vs. Dallas (1 p.m. CT), New Jersey 5s vs. Dallas Flash (4:30 p.m. CT)
• Monday: Orlando vs. Miami (11 a.m. CT), Texas vs. New Jersey (1 p.m. CT)

MLP Austin promises intense competition as teams battle on the new courts.

Pickleball Makes Historic Debut at 2025 Maccabiah Games in Israel

Jerusalem, Israel – Pickleball is set to make a historic debut at the 2025 Maccabiah Games, taking place across Israel from July 8th to 22nd, 2025. Cities hosting the event include Haifa, Jerusalem, Netanya, and Tel Aviv. This marks the first time pickleball will be featured at the "Jewish Olympics".

Seymour Rifkind, President of the World Pickleball Federation (WPF), is credited with significant effort in securing pickleball's inclusion, a move seen by some as a step towards potential inclusion in the Olympic Games roster.

Ten nations are scheduled to compete in the pickleball events. Great Britain is one such nation, bringing together a squad assembled by Mark Feldman and coached by Nick Pomery, with Mollie Knaggs joining as performance coach. The British players are personally funding their participation, and the team has received sponsorship from Six Zero, providing paddles, hats, and shirts. The inclusion of pickleball highlights the sport's rapid global growth and increasing recognition on the international stage.

Pickleballtv Now Live on Apple TV, Bringing Pro Matches & Shows to More Fans

Los Angeles, USA – Pickleballtv, the continuous streaming network from Tennis Channel, has broadened its availability by launching on Apple TV. This expansion allows Apple TV users to access the channel's full lineup of content, including exclusive live events and original programs.

The network streams major professional pickleball events from organisations such as the Professional Pickleball Association and Major League Pickleball. Fans can also watch original shows like Pickleball Weekly for news and updates, and The Tyson McGuffin Show, offering insights into a pro player's life.

Adding Apple TV significantly boosts the sport's reach, bringing coverage to an even wider audience. Pickleballtv is also available on platforms including Amazon Freevee, Plex, The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, Fubo, Local Now, and Fire TV. This growing presence helps the channel build a strong community hub for pickleball enthusiasts.

Selkirk Unveils $1 Million State-of-the-Art Paddle Testing Lab

Coeur d’Alene, USA – Selkirk Sport, a leading pickleball paddle manufacturer, has invested over $1 million in a new state-of-the-art paddle testing lab at its headquarters in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The facility is designed to significantly advance paddle research, development, and quality control.

The lab features high-tech equipment, including robotic arms, 3D printers for rapid prototyping, a CT scanner to analyse paddle cores, and a ball-cannon capable of simulating intensive gameplay. These tools allow Selkirk to perform rigorous tests, such as simulating thousands of shots and attempting to physically break paddles.

Crucially, this advanced testing dramatically speeds up the product development process, potentially reducing the time from concept to prototype from nine months to as little as a week. The lab ensures paddles meet specific requirements set by governing bodies like USA Pickleball. Selkirk believes this investment and capability will enable them to set new industry standards in paddle technology and performance, demonstrating their deep commitment to the future of the sport.

Australian Masters Cup Advances to Regional Qualifiers After Club League Success

Australia – The inaugural 2025 Australian Masters Cup (AMC) is transitioning to its next phase: the Regional Qualifiers. This follows a successful club league competition that saw 38 clubs across Australia engage over 1300 players. With most clubs having completed their league schedules, focus now turns to player submissions for the regional stage.

Clubs will submit their ladder-leading male and female players from the 50+, 60+, and 70+ age brackets. Following an assessment, these players will be invited to compete in the Regional Qualifiers, set for June across 9 locations. Specific host clubs and venues have been announced for Queensland and New South Wales, though Victoria venues are still to be confirmed. Players from states with lower participation or significant distances will bypass Regional Qualifiers and advance directly.

These events are crucial for participants aiming to secure a place in the State Qualifiers scheduled for August. Organisers thanked sponsors and everyone involved for supporting this first league competition, noting the fantastic engagement and positive impact on new competitive players.

The Picklr Targets Japan: 20 New Indoor Facilities Planned in Next 5 Years

Tokyo, Japan – The Picklr, described as the world's largest indoor pickleball franchise, has announced plans for a significant international expansion into Japan. The company intends to open 20 new indoor pickleball facilities across the country within the next five years.

The first of these facilities is planned for the Tokyo metropolitan area. Other cities targeted for future locations include Kanagawa, Osaka, Aichi, Saitama, Chiba, Hyogo, Fukuoka, Hokkaido, Kyoto, Miyagi, Hiroshima, and Okinawa. The expansion is being facilitated through a Master Franchise Agreement with Nippon Pickleball Holdings Co., Ltd., Japan’s leading pickleball company.

The Picklr CEO, Jorge Barragan, highlighted that Japan's values align with The Picklr's focus on precision, wellness, and community. He also stated that Japan is viewed as a "launchpad" for The Picklr's growth throughout Asia. The Japanese clubs will maintain the same standards in aesthetics, amenities, programming, and membership as existing clubs in the U.S. and Canada. This move continues The Picklr's rapid global growth, with over 500 locations sold worldwide and more than 80 expected to open by the end of 2025.

USA Pickleball Offers FREE Youth Program Toolkit to Grow the Sport

USA – USA Pickleball has announced that its Youth Pickleball Provider (YPP) resource center is now available free for all members. This digital toolkit is designed to help anyone teaching kids aged 8 to 18 learn and enjoy pickleball, supporting programs in schools, camps, and communities across the country.

The free toolkit is being offered in time for summer camps and after-school program planning, making it easier for organisations to introduce pickleball without added costs. The resources include 20 lesson plans (10 for ages 8-12 and 10 for ages 13-18) focused on learning through play. There is also a six-part video guide with games and tips, and a playbook titled "Let’s Play Pickleball" for running programs. Additional extras like printable game cards and access to Pickleball Magazine are also included.

According to Hana Papaco, Director of Recreational and Collegiate Engagement at USA Pickleball, these resources are valuable for planning activities and providing "high-quality, fun, and safe pickleball experiences for kids". By removing cost barriers for instructional tools, USA Pickleball aims to help more kids try the sport and encourage more schools and local groups to add pickleball to their activities.