Ranking the Top 10 pickleball events to attend
There are so many great events in pickleball each year, and we at The Kitchen have had the opportunity to attend many of them.
Whether it’s the amateur experience or the chance to watch the best pro players compete on scenic Championship Courts, below you will find our ranking of the Top 10 pickleball events to attend.
1. Pickleball World Championships
This is the PPA Tour’s flagship event, held annually in late October/early November at Brookhaven Country Club in the Dallas suburb of Farmer’s Branch, Texas. The venue has a massive Championship Court buildout and tons of activities and concerts on “Pickleball Boulevard.” In 2025 the event drew a combined crowd of more than 60,000 throughout the week.
Nearly all 50 states were represented in the amateur ranks, which saw a record 4,400 total participants, including players from 38 countries competing in more than 6,000 matches throughout the week.
2. PPA Tour Masters
There’s a lot that sets this event apart — the all-white dress code for pro players, the epic views of mountains looming just outside of Palm Springs, California, and the venue itself (Mission Hills Country Club) is top notch.
It’s also one of the four “Slams” on the PPA Tour, and because it’s usually the first PPA Tour event of the year in early January, it’s a tournament where a lot of new and exciting pro partnerships make their debut.
3. U.S. Open
This is one of the longest-running pro and amateur tournaments in all of pickleball. It’s been held annually in Naples, Florida, since 2016 at the massive USOP National Pickleball Center, which has 65 dedicated courts.
In 2026 the event drew more than 55,000 fans throughout the week and 3,750 players from all 50 states and 53 countries.
4. Major League Pickleball Finals
It’s hard to beat the setting for this event — right in the middle of Central Park in New York City.
It has also been host to of some of the most dramatic moments in all of pro pickleball, with the Major League Pickleball championship on the line. If you ever have a chance to go to this event as a spectator, we can’t recommend it enough.
5. Atlanta Pickleball Championships
This is another PPA Tour “Slam” that has grown into a huge event over the years. It’s held at the Life Time Peachtree Corners just outside of Atlanta, which is a huge facility. In 2026 there were nearly 2,000 amateur players, and because it’s a “Slam,” all the best pros regularly play the event.
We tested 15 of the most popular power paddles …
6. PPA Tour Asia Vietnam Cup
In 2025 this event set a Guinness World Record for the most people to attend a pickleball match, with 7,906 fans in attendance one of the days.
The tournament was another indicator that countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, China and India could be the site of pickleball’s next boom.
7. PPA Tour Mesa Cup
Formerly the Mesa Grand Slam, this was the PPA Tour’s first ever event in February of 2020. It has since grown into one of the tour’s biggest events and is now held at Arizona Athletic Grounds, with more than 40 dedicated courts and a stadium court that is almost always packed during tournament week.
8. PPA Tour Greater Zion Cup
This was a brand-new tournament added to the PPA Tour schedule in 2026. The facility — Black Desert Resort — opened in 2023 and the golf course on the property has hosted two PGA Tour events in 2024 and 2025. New to the resort in 2026 are 21 dedicated pickleball courts.
The backdrop is arguably the best on tour, with nearby canyons and incredible views framing the venue.
9. PPA Tour Finals
This is the PPA Tour’s annual season-ending event, held in San Clemente, California. The venue — the Life Time Rancho San Clemente — is a favorite among players and fans, and the town itself is a quick walk to the Pacific Ocean.
Aside from the views and nearby attractions, the top players in each division are playing for the No. 1 ranking on the PPA Tour.
10. Beer City Open/Major League Pickleball Mid-Season Tournament
The Beer City Open in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been a staple on the pro pickleball calendar since 2018. The tournament was started by pro player Andrea Koop and community member Paul Richards, and has grown into a huge event for both pros and amateurs.
It’s now the site of the Major League Pickleball Mid-Season Tournament — drawing every MLP team for a weekend of high-stakes competition.
