🏓 Paddle Ban Shakes Tour + MLP Lands Major Sponsor Deal

What a monumental week for pickleball! As the sport continues its explosive growth trajectory, this week delivered game-changing sponsorships, record-breaking tournament participation, and significant equipment regulations that will reshape competitive play. From the sun-soaked courts of Newport Beach to the high-altitude challenges in Colorado Springs, the pickleball community witnessed history in the making.

The reverberations from USA Pickleball's paddle ban are being felt across courts nationwide, while Major League Pickleball secured a landmark sponsorship deal that signals the sport's increasing commercial viability. Meanwhile, amateur players are seizing their golden opportunities to reach the national stage, and new facilities are sprouting up to meet surging demand.

🏆 Tournament Highlights

The 2025 Zimmer Biomet APP Newport Beach Open concluded on July 6 with record-breaking participation, attracting nearly 1,800 players competing for $150,000 in prize money. Gold medalists in each division secured coveted USA Pickleball "Golden Tickets," granting them priority registration for November's National Championships right here in San Diego. The tournament's success highlighted Southern California's position as the epicenter of competitive pickleball.

Currently underway, the Peak Pickleball Golden Ticket event in Colorado Springs (July 9-13) is offering amateur players another pathway to nationals. This high-altitude challenge tests players' endurance and adaptability, with bracket winners earning their golden tickets to San Diego. The event has drawn competitors from across the western states, all vying for their chance at national glory.

Youth pickleball took center stage on July 8 with the APP Next Gen Tour hosting a $15,000 prize event at Chicken N Pickle in St. Louis. This elite competition for players under 23 featured mentorship from APP professionals, demonstrating the sport's commitment to developing the next generation of stars. The tournament showcased rising talents who could soon be competing on the main professional tours.

📈 Industry & Business News

Major League Pickleball announced a groundbreaking partnership with Jenius Bank as its official sponsor on July 9, marking a significant milestone in the league's commercial evolution. This strategic alliance will provide enhanced financial backing for MLP's 10-event regular season and mid-season tournament, elevating the production quality and player prize pools across all competitions.

The Carvana PPA Tour updated its 2025 schedule on July 10, adding two new challenger events: the Wisconsin PPA Challenger at Lake Hallie Pickleball (July 24-27) and the Edwardsville PPA Challenger (August 1-3). These additions expand competitive opportunities for emerging professionals seeking to climb the rankings and qualify for premier PPA events.

The APP Tour continues to amplify its media presence with an expanded 2025 linear broadcast schedule featuring over 55 hours of coverage across CBS Sports, ESPN, and Fox Sports - doubling their 2024 programming. This increased visibility promises to elevate player profiles and attract new sponsors to the professional game.

🌍 Global Pickleball Growth

The United Pickleball Association (UPA) is executing an ambitious global expansion strategy with five international PPA Tour events planned for 2025 across Australia, India, Canada, Asia, and Europe. This unified international competition circuit represents pickleball's evolution from a predominantly North American sport to a truly global phenomenon.

Infrastructure investments continue to fuel growth, with Sterling Ranch, Colorado opening an impressive eight-court pickleball complex this week. This state-of-the-art facility features tournament-quality courts with professional lighting, addressing the increasing demand for dedicated pickleball venues in the Rocky Mountain region.

⚖️ Rules & Regulations

USA Pickleball's ban on high-power paddles officially took effect on July 1, with enforcement now in full swing at sanctioned tournaments. The prohibition affects seven paddle models, including the JOOLA Perseus 14mm/16mm Mod TA-15, Gearbox Pro Power Elongated, and ProKennex Black Ace series. These paddles were deemed to exceed acceptable "trampoline effect" limits based on the new Paddle/Ball Coefficient of Restitution (PBCoR) testing standard.

The enforcement has already impacted tournament play this week, with players required to switch equipment or face disqualification. JOOLA responded by retiring the MOD TA-15 model entirely, while ProKennex successfully retested their Black Ace LG model, which remains approved for sanctioned play. This regulatory shift prioritizes control and skill over raw power, potentially changing strategic approaches at all competitive levels.

🎯 Player Spotlight

The APP Academy's High Performance Summer Program launched this week, offering intensive training for elite players aged 23 and under at The Fort in Fort Lauderdale. As the first U.S. boarding program dedicated to pickleball, this initiative provides personalized coaching, physical assessments, and pathways to international competition. The program represents a significant investment in developing future professional talent.

The APP Women's Open presented by The James preparations are underway, highlighting a women-focused event that combines elite competition with cancer-survivor advocacy. This tournament exemplifies how pickleball is creating meaningful platforms for both athletic excellence and community impact.

📅 Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars: The Wisconsin PPA Challenger at Lake Hallie Pickleball runs July 24-27, offering $50,000 in prize money. The APP Tour's Chicago Open follows August 8-11 at XS Tennis Village, featuring the world's top professionals competing for $175,000. San Diego players should note that Golden Ticket winners from this week's Colorado Springs event will receive priority registration for our hometown USA Pickleball National Championships in November.

As we witness pickleball's transformation from recreational pastime to professional sport, remember that every dink, drive, and drop shot contributes to this incredible journey. Whether you're perfecting your third shot drop at local courts or competing for golden tickets, you're part of a community that's redefining what it means to play with passion. Keep swinging, San Diego - the best is yet to come!