BY JACQUIE COZENS, PORTUGAL CORRESPONDENT
Portugal is on the verge of a pickleball breakthrough. The Portugal Masters, a nine-day, 15-court extravaganza, promises to be the largest tournament in Europe outside the English Open—and it’s set to showcase the country as a premier pickleball destination. In an exclusive interview, Filipe Paszkiewicz, founder of PEAK Pickleball Leagues, explains why this event marks a turning point for the sport in Portugal.
While small groups of players had been meeting for years, pickleball in Portugal truly began to take off around 2022. By 2026, the country boasts approximately 40 venues, spread across private clubs and municipal facilities. Although the player base is still relatively modest, grassroots communities are springing up across the country, fostering local competition and camaraderie.
PEAK Pickleball Leagues has played a pivotal role in this growth. Since 2023, it ran the Portugal Pickleball Tour, bringing well-organised, competitive tournaments to players who had never competed before. “The tour helped raise the level of play across the country,” Filipe notes. Today, the tour continues under PTPickle, an association committed to maintaining the momentum PEAK started.
Beyond the national tour, PEAK also launched the European Pickleball League, Portugal’s first professional-level tournament, with stages in Algarve and Lisbon. Building on this success, PEAK made an ambitious move in 2026: joining forces with RTA (Road to Arlberg), another major professional circuit organiser, to deliver the biggest tournament ever held in Portugal.
“Joining forces made sense,” Filipe explains. “Although most people would view us as competitors, the Portugal Masters offers something unique. It will feature a group stage that separates players based on performance. Top pros automatically qualify for the RTA bracket, while local players have the chance to test themselves and earn a place against the best.”
For the first time, prize money will also be available for advanced-level players who do not make the Pro bracket, giving more players a tangible reward for their efforts.
The Portugal Masters promises an unprecedented pickleball experience:
Nine days of competition across 15 courts
Age brackets from 18+ to 70+
Clinics, workshops, and open play for all levels, including beginners
Prize money for advanced-level players outside the Pro bracket
Legacy Competition featuring wooden paddles, celebrating the sport’s heritage
“We wanted it to be not just a tournament, but a showcase for the Algarve,” Filipe says. “People can compete, watch the pros, join open play sessions, and still have plenty of time for sightseeing.”
Having a professional-level event of this scale is a major milestone for pickleball in Portugal. With excellent weather, increasing levels of homegrown talent, and ever-improving facilities, the country is quickly establishing itself as a must-visit pickleball destination. The Portugal Masters is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting new chapter for the sport in Portugal.
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Chris Beaumont
Founder and Editor-in-ChiefChris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at…
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