PPA Season Ends, China League Grows, GSPL Finals Set Worldwide
Good morning, pickleballers!
One step closer to Santa bringing you some pickleball gifts I am sure.
Here's all the latest pickleball news.
Veterans and Rookies Clash as PPA Tour Closes 2025 Season in Florida
Daytona Beach, USA – The 2025 PPA Tour season concluded in dramatic fashion this week at the Florida Dairy Farmers Daytona Beach Open. While seasoned veterans fought to defend their rankings, the tournament was defined by breakout performances from newcomers eager to make their mark before the new year.
In the men’s singles division, Chris Haworth delivered a stunning, clean performance on Championship Sunday to secure the crown, marking one of the most dominant finals in recent tour history. However, the path to the podium was fraught with upsets. Newcomer Rafa Lenhard shocked the bracket by defeating the number one seed, Federico Staksrud, on his way to a bronze medal, proving that the competitive gap is narrowing.
On the women’s side, qualifier Kat Stewart made a Cinderella run to the finals, defeating established pros like Kaitlyn Christian. However, her streak ended at the hands of veteran Catherine Parenteau, who secured the gold with a decisive victory.
Doubles competition saw exciting new chemistry on the court. In a highly anticipated debut partnership, Anna Leigh Waters and Jorja Johnson dominated the women's field to take gold without dropping a game. Meanwhile, MLP teammates Augie Ge and JW Johnson translated their team chemistry to the PPA stage, winning a five-game thriller against Riley Newman and Noe Khlif for the men’s title. In mixed doubles, veterans Jay Devilliers and Callie Smith defied the odds as an 11th seed to snag bronze, signalling Devilliers' return to top form following an injury-plagued season.
Guilin Hosts Hundreds for Historic Guangxi Pickleball Super League Finals
Guilin, China – The rapid growth of pickleball in southern China was on full display this week as the finals of the "2025 China Sports Lottery Cup" Guangxi Pickleball Super League commenced. Held in the scenic city of Guilin, the two-day event brought together 483 elite players representing the top teams from 14 different cities across the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
The competition featured a diverse array of participants, ranging from seasoned amateurs to young, rising talent, competing in both Open and Evergreen categories. Organized to blend high-level competition with mass public participation, the event underscored the sport's deepening roots in the region. "We hope that a province-wide league can provide a broader platform for exchange, attracting more people to take part and fall in love with this sport," stated an official from the Sports Bureau of Guangxi.
Beyond the matches, the event served as a cultural festival for residents and tourists. The venue featured dedicated experience zones for newcomers to try the sport and food stalls offering local cuisine, creating a vibrant atmosphere that extended beyond the courts. The tournament successfully highlighted the intersection of athletics and community engagement, promising a bright future for the sport in Guangxi.
Mumbai Set for High-Octane Action at Global Sports Pickleball League Finals
Mumbai, India – The Andheri Sports Complex is preparing for a weekend of electric competition as the Global Sports Pickleball League (GSPL) finals arrive in the city. The event promises to showcase the best of India’s growing pickleball talent, featuring two distinct championship battles that have fans buzzing with anticipation.
In the Challenger division, the Delhi Snipers are set to face off against the Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors. Both franchises have demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the season, and their collision in the finals is expected to provide high-energy rallies as they vie for the title.
The spotlight will also shine on the Pro finals, where a star-studded lineup from the Bengaluru Blazers will take on the Hyderabad Vikings. This matchup features top-tier athletes known for their tactical acumen and lightning-fast reflexes, turning the court into a stage for elite performance. As the GSPL solidifies its reputation as a premier platform for the sport in India, the finals at the Andheri Sports Complex mark a significant milestone in the league's expansion and popularity.
Kerala Launches State’s First Professional Franchise-Based Pickleball League
Thiruvananthapuram, India – Kerala is stepping boldly into a new era of sports innovation with the official launch of the Kerala Premier Pickleball League (KPPL). Announced by Royal Deccan Tusker Ventures, the KPPL represents the state’s first professional league dedicated to the sport, aiming to transform pickleball from a recreational pastime into a competitive, organised industry.
Spearheaded by entrepreneurs V. S. Visakh and Harish Haridas, the league introduces a franchise-based model that allows for team ownership by investors and brands. This structure is designed to ensure long-term commercial sustainability while offering athletes a professional pathway previously unavailable in the region. "KPPL seeks to transform pickleball from a recreational activity into a competitive sporting movement within the state," organisers noted, highlighting the league's focus on structured competition and standardized rules.
The initiative aims to retain local talent by providing a high-level platform within Kerala, reducing the need for athletes to migrate to traditional sporting hubs for opportunities. With team ownership and sponsorship windows now open, the KPPL is positioned to not only elevate the standard of play but also boost sports tourism and economic activity in the state.
Major League Pickleball Unveils Compact Summer Schedule for 2026
Dallas, USA – Major League Pickleball (MLP) has released its comprehensive schedule for the 2026 season, confirming a condensed, action-packed calendar running exclusively from May through August. The league aims to build on a successful 2025 campaign that saw attendance jump by 52% and sponsorship revenue more than double.
The season will bookend its excitement in Texas, kicking off in Dallas from May 22-25 and returning there for the start of the playoffs in early August. For the first time, the regular season finale will take place at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, setting the stage for a high-profile finish before the postseason.
In addition to the professional coed team format, the 2026 events will continue to integrate the amateur community through Junior MLP and Minor League Pickleball competitions. With tickets already on sale for most events, the league is looking to maintain the momentum of "America's fastest-growing sport" by concentrating its season into a high-intensity summer window.
Grudge Match in Miami: Internet Personality Challenges World No. 2
Miami, USA – In a clash that blurred the lines between professional sport and viral entertainment, The Dink founder Thomas Shields took on World No. 2 Anna Bright in a singles match at the Courted Miami event. The exhibition was sparked by an online feud regarding amateur ratings, culminating in Bright’s memorable retort: "If you’re a 5.0, so is my mom".
True to her word that "humbling men is my favourite pastime," Bright accepted the challenge to play Shields in a match that has now been released to the public. The encounter was far from a quiet friendly; it featured heavy trash talk, disputed line calls, and eventually required the intervention of referees who scrutinized everything from foot faults to paddle legality.
"We’re talking overturned line calls, phantom foot faults, full-on rulebook debates," reported witnesses, noting that the intensity ramped up significantly in the second game. While the final score remains under wraps to drive viewership to the match footage, the event successfully highlighted the entertaining, personality-driven culture rapidly developing within the pickleball community.
GRAZIA Pickleball Tournament Returns to Kuala Lumpur for Season 2
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Following a successful inaugural event, the GRAZIA Pickleball Tournament has announced its return for Season 2, scheduled for January 24, 2026. The tournament will once again take place at the Pickle Social Club in Bukit Kiara, a venue known for blending community inclusivity with competitive play.
The tournament format is designed to test versatility and endurance. Teams will begin with a round-robin group stage played to 15 points, followed by a split into "Winner" and "Consolation" brackets. As the stakes rise in the semi-finals and finals, the format will shift to a best-of-three series.
Sponsors have been lined up to enhance the "social" aspect of the club, with drinks provided for players between rallies. The event continues the club’s mission, established by founder Mark Choo, to create a hub where people of all ages and experience levels can connect over the game. Organisers are inviting both returning competitors and newcomers to participate in what promises to be a fixture of the local sporting calendar.