In a groundbreaking step for professional pickleball, the Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) has joined six international organizations to help launch the first-ever Global Pro Pickleball Tour, led by the Association of Pickleball Players (APP).
This historic alliance ushers in a unified world calendar, a transparent global ranking system, and a clear pathway for professional athletes to build sustainable careers on a truly international stage.
A Groundbreaking Alliance with Global Reach
In addition to Canada's own league, the alliance includes:
- Association of Pickleball Players (APP)
- European Pickleball Federation (EPF)
- India's Global Sports
- Australia's National Pickleball League (NPL)
- Pickleball England
- Vietnam's Pickleball D-Joy
Together, these partners will coordinate non-conflicting schedules, align ranking points across events, and collaborate on tiered prize pools and commercial opportunities—all with players at the center.
What This Means for Canadian Pickleball
For Canadian players, this alliance delivers what the sport has long needed: a coordinated global schedule, transparent rankings, and a credible pathway to rise, compete, and earn at the highest levels.
With the Canadian Open set for September 2026, Canada takes a prominent place on the world tour, showcasing our pros at home while opening doors to elite international competition.
This is a milestone for pickleball's growth in Canada and a signal that our athletes, fans, and communities are part of the next era of the sport.
What's on the 2025/26 Global Tour
The new international calendar kicks off in late 2025 and continues through 2026 with a planned 30+ events across key regions.
Highlights include major opens in the United States, England, India, Vietnam, Australia, Europe, and right here in Canada. Each tournament will be tiered with progressive prize money and points, all feeding into a single, unified global ranking—a first for the sport.
A Win for Players and Fans Alike
For athletes, the unified structure means:
- Consistent, year-round international competition
- A clear ladder for professional advancement and earnings
- Predictability for travel, training blocks, and peak performance windows
For sponsors, fans, and communities, a connected global tour means:
- More world-class events across more regions
- Global platforms with regional/local reach for brands and partners
- New storylines as international talents meet more often
- Broader access to top-tier pickleball—live and online
Key Tournament Highlights
The 2025/26 Global Pro Pickleball Tour features major events across the globe:
- December 2025: Kooyong Open (Australia)
- January 2026: Australian Open
- February 2026: Indian Open (Global Sports)
- April 2026: U.S. Open
- August 2026: English Open powered by the APP
- September 2026: Canadian Open (CNPL)
- October 2026: European Open (EPF)
- December 2026: Indian Grand Slam (Global Sports)
This represents the most comprehensive professional pickleball calendar ever assembled, giving players and fans unprecedented access to world-class competition throughout the year.
The Global Pro Pickleball Tour marks a new chapter for the sport, with Canada's CNPL playing a leading role in shaping the future of professional pickleball worldwide.