Professional Pickleball Association Expands Internationally with New Tournaments
PPA's Global Expansion
The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) is significantly broadening its international presence by introducing new tournaments in Canada and Italy. This initiative aims to enhance pickleball's global standing as the sport continues to gain traction worldwide. The PPA Tour's latest announcement, part of its 2026–2027 global calendar, includes a series of events across North America and Europe, marking a pivotal step in expanding its reach beyond traditional markets.
Currently, the PPA operates tours in the United States, Malaysia, Australia, and China. The addition of tournaments in Canada and Italy demonstrates the organization's commitment to establishing a comprehensive global competition framework. The PPA will host PPA 125 and PPA 250 tournaments in various cities, including Vancouver, Ottawa, and Toronto in Canada, as well as Brescia in Italy and Portoroz in Slovenia. There is potential for more tournaments to be announced in these countries as interest in the sport grows.
This expansion is part of the PPA's strategy to create a cohesive international competitive system. Points earned at PPA-sanctioned tournaments contribute to a unified global ranking, ensuring that results from events across different continents are equally valued for professional players.
In addition to the new events in Europe and Canada, the PPA highlighted significant advancements within its existing tours. The PPA Tour Asia season will offer the highest number of ranking points in its history, providing greater incentives for athletes competing in the Asian circuit. Meanwhile, the PPA Tour Australia is preparing for a landmark Australian Pickleball Open, featuring a record prize pool of $500,000, reflecting the sport's growing commercial appeal and the PPA's dedication to enhancing the professional game.
With tours in Australia and Asia already making strides in recent years, the inclusion of Canada and Italy is expected to further boost the sport's growth, offering new competitive avenues for players and increasing its visibility across various regions. As participation in pickleball continues to rise globally, the PPA's latest expansion highlights its goal of creating a robust international professional ecosystem. By integrating tournaments across continents into a unified ranking system and introducing new competition venues, the tour is positioning itself at the forefront of pickleball's global development.
