UPA is expanding internationally
The 2023 event welcomed 3,500 players and 50,000 fans to Pickleball Boulevard.
UPA is expanding internationally
The 2023 event welcomed 3,500 players and 50,000 fans to Pickleball Boulevard.
The UPA International Championship Series will bring pickleball’s biggest brands and more than 150 of the world’s best players to new territories
— Anne Worcester, UPA strategic advisor and former WTA CEO
DALLAS, TX, UNITED STATES, July 18, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ — – The “UPA International Championship Series” will bring together the biggest brands in pickleball and more than 150 of the world’s best players exclusive to UPA in new territories to further unify the sport globally
– The world’s best players will be present on the international circuits, including Ben Johns (USA), Anna Leigh Waters (USA), Catherine Parenteau (CAN), Federico Staksrud (ARG), Anna Bright (USA), Jay Devilliers (FRA), Lucy Kovalova (SVK), Tina Pisnik (SVN), Quang Duong (VNM) and many others
– Events will leverage the unique operational knowledge of leading organizations in their respective communities, as well as the strong brand foundation built by the UPA, PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball
– UPA continues to collaborate and seek new partners in all regions of the world to foster the premier international tour and grow the sport worldwide, with further exciting announcements planned in the near future
The United Pickleball Association (UPA), the leader in the growth, organization and presentation of professional and amateur pickleball, has announced a new series of international events that will expand the reach of the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball through a unified international competitive circuit. These events will also bring many of the world’s top 150 professional players, who play exclusively with the UPA, to these regions to compete in the premier global elite pickleball circuit.
“The United Pickleball Association – the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball – has set the standard for the professional game and is excited to bring the world’s best players and events to new corners of the globe in the first truly international professional pickleball circuit,” said Anne Worcester, UPA Strategic Advisor, former CEO of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and former President of UTR Sports. “We are extremely selective in selecting partners for these joint ventures and continue to have conversations with interested organizations. The expertise offered by our operating partners is unmatched in their regions and, combined with the proven business model and brand recognition that the PPA Tour and MLP provide, will immediately elevate this new series.”
The series will launch in 2025 with four planned events – to be held in Australia, India, Asia and Europe – and will be managed by the UPA and the key operating organizations in each country. These international events will be enhanced by the expertise of those who know their regions best, while leveraging the global influence and awareness of the PPA Tour, Major League Pickleball and all of its top pickleball superstar athletes. The first two partners to be announced were Pacific Pickleball (now PPA/MLP Australia) in Australia and Global Sports in India, with more exciting announcements in the pipeline and coming soon.
The UPA International Championship Series highlights the sport’s global appeal and provides a platform for elite competition on every continent, culminating in the exciting World Championships in Dallas in November 2025. Top pickleball athletes from each region will join numerous PPA Tour professionals and hundreds of local amateurs at each stop. Events include:
– Australian Pickleball Open – Melbourne, Australia – January 29 – February 2: The inaugural international event kicks off the series in late January, hosted by the PPA Tour Australia
– India Pickleball Open – Mumbai, India – February 5-9: After Melbourne, the series will move to Mumbai, India, hosted by PPA Tour India
– Canada Pickleball Open – Toronto, Canada in September: Professional pickleball is heading to the Great White North.
– Asia Pickleball Open – TBA, Asia in October: Third event in October expands the series’ reach and participation in Asia, with exact location to be announced, hosted by PPA Tour Asia
– Europe Pickleball Open – TBA, Europe in October: The fourth event is scheduled for October at a yet-to-be-announced European location
– UPA World Championships – Dallas, TX, USA in November: The third consecutive year of record-breaking pickleball festivities will welcome athletes from around the world and celebrate the best the sport has to offer.
Each of these regional operating partners will host PPA Tour-sanctioned events that will award valuable PPA Tour Ranking Points, allowing the world’s best players to compete in the premier, top-tier professional competitions in those regions for the first time. The awarding of global PPA Tour Ranking Points also provides an opportunity for pickleball athletes from around the world to compete at the highest level and against the best players in the sport.
In addition to the launch of the PPA International Series, future plans include the unique and exciting format of Major League Pickleball’s co-ed team league and continued global expansion of the brand, details of which will be announced once finalized.
The UPA continues to collaborate and seek new partners in all regions of the world to foster the premier international tour and grow the sport worldwide, with more exciting announcements planned in the near future.
Photos and video from the Carvana PPA Tour here. (Credit: Carvana PPA Tour)
About the United Pickleball Association
The United Pickleball Association (UPA) is the steward of the fastest growing sport in the United States, bringing the world’s best professional and amateur pickleball to millions of people around the world. As the parent company of the Professional Pickleball Association (Carvana PPA Tour), Major League Pickleball (MLP by Margaritaville) and the United Pickleball State Championship Series, UPA is the go-to entity for players and fans to participate in world-class events and enjoy the best pickleball athletes on the sport’s biggest stages. Visit unitedpickleball.com for more information.
Jeff Watson
UPA
+1 817-944-2298
j.watson@ppatour.com
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