Professional pickleball just took a major step toward becoming a truly global sport.

The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) announced this week it is joining forces with six (6) international partners to form a worldwide alliance designed to streamline professional play, unify rankings, and expand opportunities for athletes across continents.

The coalition includes:

Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) European Pickleball Federation (EPF) India’s Global Sports Australia’s National Pickleball League (NPL) Pickleball England Vietnam’s Pickleball D-Joy Together with the APP, the group unveiled a plan to deliver a coordinated calendar of more than 30 events in 2026, a single global ranking system, and a tiered prize structure aimed at creating a more sustainable career path for pro players.

“This is a monumental day for pickleball worldwide,” said APP Founder Ken Herrmann. “The APP always has been player focused, and now, we’re able to continue that mission worldwide and provide more competitive opportunities for players than ever before.”

A Unified World Calendar The centerpiece of the alliance is the first-ever global professional pickleball calendar , stretching across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The 2026 season will feature at least 30 tournaments, strategically coordinated to avoid scheduling conflicts between marquee events.

The calendar begins late in 2025 with the Kooyong Open in Australia (Dec. 5-7) , before rolling into 2026 with majo... FULL ARTICLE FOUND ON: https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/app-leads-new-global-alliance-to-unite-professional-pickleball/