UPA Dispute, HPL Finals, IPA–DUPR Deal Lead Global News Roundup
Good morning, pickleballers!
Nearly the weekend, and there's more breaking news in the pickleball world.
There's been some huge pickleball news in the last 24 hours, so you can read all about it below.
But, before you get into that, tune in to the latest World Pickleball Podcast where Gordo and I talk about some of the biggest stories from the last week.
Right then, on with the latest world pickleball news!
Controversy Erupts: Ryan Fu Disputes UPA Termination Over 'Approved' Japan Trip
Dallas, USA – Professional pickleball player Ryan Fu has publicly contested his recent termination by the United Pickleball Association (UPA), claiming the organisation fired him for a trip that had been previously approved. Fu, formerly ranked No. 39 in men's singles on the PPA Tour, was released alongside fellow pros James Ignatowich and Vivian Glozman for alleged violations of their agreements.
Breaking his silence on social media platform X, Fu stated that the controversial trip to Japan "was approved by the UPA committee in July". He further argued that he and his peers had conducted an identical trip the previous December with UPA approval. Fu emphasised that the group, which included Parris Todd, participated only in teaching clinics and "did not compete in any event".
The situation has raised questions about the UPA's disciplinary process. Fu alleged that "there was no conversation before termination," suggesting the decision was made abruptly and without an opportunity for the players to defend themselves. This incident follows the termination of Quang Duong in August for participating in unsanctioned events, though Fu noted that neither he nor his colleagues had prior recorded violations.
As of now, the player profiles for Fu and Ignatowich have been scrubbed from the PPA Tour website, and Glozman’s profile has been removed from Major League Pickleball (MLP) channels. Parris Todd’s status reportedly remains under review. The dispute highlights growing tensions regarding player exclusivity and control within the professional pickleball ecosystem.
Star-Studded Showdown: Hyderabad Pickleball League Finals Set for Electrifying Conclusion
Hyderabad, India – The financial district of Hyderabad is set to transform into a cauldron of noise and excitement this Friday, December 12, 2025, as the Hyderabad Pickleball League (HPL) culminates in a high-stakes final. After weeks of intense competition, the championship match will see the All Stars face off against the Credicon Mavericks for the coveted league title at The League venue.
The HPL has rapidly evolved from a sporting event into a major cultural phenomenon in the region. According to Vikrant Rao, co-founder of the league, the event has successfully engaged nearly 180 local players across eight dynamic franchises, fostering a unique ecosystem that blends athletics with entertainment. "HPL is not just sport — it’s entertainment, F&B, and pure community spirit," Rao noted, highlighting the league's success in turning Friday nights into a city-wide ritual for fans.
The stakes are high for the All Stars, owned by actor Sushanth, who views his team’s journey as a bridge between amateur enthusiasts and professional athletes. "This is a project to build a strong pickleball community and produce exciting players," Sushanth stated, expressing his eagerness for the championship night.
Adding to the spectacle, the finale promises to be a "festival of music and sport," featuring a special halftime performance by renowned singer Lucky Ali. Organisers anticipate that Ali's soulful performance will elevate the atmosphere, offering fans a blend of nostalgia and high-octane competition. As the city prepares to cheer for its neighbourhood heroes, the HPL final stands as a testament to pickleball's explosive growth and its ability to unite communities in Hyderabad.
Hurlands Targets Southeast Domination with Major Five-Year Expansion Plan
Farnham, United Kingdom – Hurlands Pickleball + Padel Club has unveiled an ambitious strategy to reshape the racquet sports landscape in Southeast England, announcing a comprehensive five-year expansion plan aimed at opening five new clubs across the region. The operator is currently soliciting sites from landlords and investment partners, signalling a significant push to capitalise on the growing demand for court space.
To spearhead this aggressive acquisition strategy, Hurlands has recruited Jeremy Phillips, the former director and head of property at The Gym Group. The search for real estate is focused on a wide corridor stretching from West London to Reading, Oxford, Winchester, and Kent. The company is specifically targeting buildings of 30,000 square feet or larger with a minimum clear height of six meters to accommodate their indoor courts and social wellness facilities.
Hurlands is casting a wide net for potential venues, considering freehold acquisitions as well as long-term leases on former industrial, retail, and leisure spaces. This expansion comes ahead of the highly anticipated opening of their flagship club in Farnham, Surrey, scheduled for early 2026. Located at the Farnham Trading Estate, the flagship venue is poised to become the UK’s largest indoor pickleball and padel facility, boasting 14 courts alongside extensive hospitality and fitness amenities.
By prioritizing well-connected locations and creating large-scale social hubs, Hurlands aims to establish itself as a dominant player in the UK's leisure market. The expansion reflects a broader trend of repurposing commercial real estate to meet the surging popularity of social sports in the UK.
Unified Standards: India Pickleball Association Partners with DUPR to Revolutionise Player Ratings
New Delhi, India – In a move designed to professionalise the sport across the subcontinent, the India Pickleball Association (IPA) has announced a strategic partnership with DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) to serve as the country's official rating system. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment for Indian pickleball, ensuring that all IPA-sanctioned events and results will feed directly into the DUPR algorithm starting in 2026.
The IPA, recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is aiming to create a fair and consistent competitive environment for the thousands of players under its jurisdiction. By adopting a unified rating scale, the association hopes to eliminate discrepancies in skill assessment and streamline the tournament experience nationwide.
"Working with DUPR raises the competitive level of our events and provides players with ratings they can trust," said Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, President of the India Pickleball Association. He emphasized that a consistent system is crucial for connecting the community and ensuring "every match counts".
Under the new agreement, all IPA tournaments will operate as "DUPR Verified Events," requiring players to maintain DUPR+ subscriptions and utilize phone authentication to verify their identity. Organizers will be held to strict standards regarding score reporting and conduct to ensure data integrity. Tito Machado, CEO of DUPR, hailed the partnership as a "major milestone for the sport in Asia," praising India's commitment to transparency and player growth. This initiative is expected to bridge the gap between Indian athletes and the global pickleball community, providing a clear pathway for skill progression.
Manila Moonshot: Philippines Launches Bid to Host 2027 Global Pickleball Championship
Manila, Philippines – The Philippines has officially entered the race to host the 2027 Global Pickleball Championship (GPC), positioning itself as a front-runner following a successful gathering of international delegates in the capital. Sherry Ann Cu, Tournament Chair of the Philippine Pickleball Federation (PPF), confirmed that the country is leveraging its recent success in organising the Global Pickleball Federation Congress to secure the prestigious event.
"We’re pitching for the first Global Pickleball Championship to be held in the Philippines," Cu stated, noting that the bid enjoys robust support from the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee. The bid is bolstered by the country’s status as a charter member of the international governing body and the fact that its federation is recognised by the National Olympic Committee, a distinction unique in Asia.
Central to the bid is the promise of a world-class venue. If selected, the championship would be hosted at "Helios," a massive multi-story indoor facility currently under development. Slated for completion by 2027, Helios is designed to feature 25 championship-ready courts and a 2,000-seat stadium, setting a new standard for pickleball infrastructure in Asia.
The PPF believes hosting the GPC will be a stepping stone toward a larger goal: lobbying for pickleball’s inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. With the sport’s popularity skyrocketing domestically and strong institutional backing, the Philippines is making a compelling case to become the heart of global pickleball in 2027.
New Era for Polish Pickleball: Tour Announces Major Rebranding and Restructuring for 2026
Warsaw, Poland – The Polish Pickleball Tour (PPT) has announced its most significant overhaul to date, revealing a new logo, a restructured tournament hierarchy, and a record-breaking calendar for the 2026 season. Since its inception in January 2023, the PPT has become the premier competitive circuit in Poland, and officials say the new changes are designed to professionalise the sport further.
The rebranding features a modern, simplified logo optimized for digital platforms and merchandise, signalling a fresh visual identity for the organization. However, the most substantive changes concern the competition structure. The PPT is introducing a clear tiered system to help players navigate the tour: PPT 500 (highest rank), PPT 300, PPT 200, PPT 100, and PPT 50.
Notable in the new schedule is the PPT 500 event in Pszczyna, which will serve as the crown jewel of the tour. Furthermore, the PPT 200 series will consist of three tournaments played exclusively on hard court surfaces, aligning Polish standards with international norms.
"It will be the biggest season in PPT history," the organization stated, confirming a calendar that includes 20 different locations across the country. This expansion aims to provide a clear development path for athletes while bringing high-level competition to local communities through the PPT 50 series. The restructuring reflects the rapid maturation of pickleball in Poland as the tour enters its fourth year.
Italian Pickleball Crown on the Line: National Championships Descend on Puglia
Martina Franca, Italy – The southern Italian region of Puglia is preparing to host the pinnacle of the national pickleball calendar this weekend, as the National Team Championship finals arrive at the "Palasun" facility in Martina Franca. Scheduled for December 13 and 14, the event will see top clubs from across Italy vying for the tricolor shield in both Open and Over-50 categories.
Organised by the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation (FITP), the tournament underscores the explosive growth of the sport in Italy. The number of pickleball courts in the country has surged from 120 to nearly 400 in just twelve months, vastly outpacing growth in neighbouring European nations like Spain. This infrastructure boom has set the stage for a highly competitive national final.
The Open category features ten elite teams divided into two groups, including heavyweights like SSD Exquinox from Lazio, Tennis Club Sulmona from Abruzzo, and the local favorites, ASD Top Tennis Team from Puglia. High-ranking players such as Gabriele Nardelli (2.2 rating) and Ivan Gianni (2.3 rating) are expected to lead the charge for their respective clubs.
The competition kicks off Saturday with the Over-50 finals, a round-robin battle between Bologna Pickleball Team, New Country Club Maury’s Frascati, and Prati SSD. The event will conclude on Sunday with the Open finals and an awards ceremony, crowning the new Italian champions and celebrating a sport that has firmly established itself on the national stage.