Court Report

The latest happenings from the world of pickleball.

2026-02-10 • MLP Press Release

Major League Pickleball Announces 2026 Expansion to 16 Teams

Four new franchises join the league in Nashville, Denver, Portland, and Philadelphia as professional pickleball continues to grow.

Major League Pickleball has officially announced its 2026 season will feature 16 teams, up from 12 in 2025. The expansion includes new franchises in Nashville, Denver, Portland, and Philadelphia.

Team ownership groups include a mix of professional athletes, entertainment figures, and private equity firms. The expanded format will include a longer regular season with more events across the country, giving fans more opportunities to see top-level professional pickleball in person.

“This expansion reflects the incredible momentum our sport is experiencing,” said MLP Commissioner. “Each of these four cities demonstrated overwhelming demand for professional pickleball, and we’re thrilled to bring the competition to them.”

The 2026 season is expected to begin in March with a new draft format that will allow expansion teams to build competitive rosters from day one.

2026-02-05 • Austin Chronicle

World's Largest Indoor Pickleball Complex Opens in Austin

Dink City Sports Complex boasts 48 courts across 120,000 square feet with pro shops, training academies, and a restaurant.

The Dink City Sports Complex opened its doors in Austin, Texas this week, boasting 48 indoor courts across 120,000 square feet. The facility represents the largest single-site pickleball complex in the world.

Features include climate-controlled courts with professional-grade surfaces, two fully stocked pro shops, training academies run by certified professionals, recovery suites with cold plunge and sauna facilities, and a restaurant with views overlooking the main show courts.

“We wanted to create a destination, not just a place to play,” said the facility’s founder. “Pickleball is a lifestyle, and this space reflects that.” The complex also includes dedicated spaces for youth programs and adaptive pickleball for players with disabilities.

Court reservations are already booking out weeks in advance, with membership options starting at $79 per month for unlimited court time during off-peak hours.

2026-01-28 • USA Pickleball

USA Pickleball Reports 48.3 Million Players Nationwide

The sport remains the fastest-growing in America for the fifth consecutive year, with the core player base growing 25%.

New data from USA Pickleball and the Sports & Fitness Industry Association shows continued explosive growth, with an estimated 48.3 million Americans having played pickleball at least once in the past year.

The core player base — those playing 8 or more times per year — grew 25% to 11.2 million. The sport remains the fastest-growing in America for the fifth consecutive year, outpacing padel, flag football, and trail running.

Growth is strongest in the 25-34 age demographic, challenging the perception that pickleball is primarily a retirees’ sport. Facility construction has responded accordingly, with over 1,500 new dedicated pickleball venues opening in 2025 alone.

“We’re seeing a generational shift,” said the SFIA’s director of research. “The sport has crossed from niche to mainstream, and there’s no sign of it slowing down.”

2026-01-15 • USA Pickleball Rules Committee

Rally Scoring and Serve Modifications Under Review for 2026

USA Pickleball's rules committee will test rally scoring and modified serve rules in select tournaments this season.

USA Pickleball’s rules committee has announced that rally scoring and modified serve rules will be tested in select tournaments throughout the 2026 season.

The proposed rally scoring format would award a point on every rally regardless of which team served. Proponents argue it creates more predictable match durations for broadcast schedules and increases excitement. Critics worry it fundamentally changes the strategic nature of the game.

The serve modifications under review would allow a drop serve from any height, removing the current below-waist restriction. This change aims to simplify the rules for new players while maintaining competitive balance.

“These aren’t final decisions — they’re experiments,” clarified the rules committee chair. “We’re committed to evolving the sport thoughtfully, and player feedback from these test events will drive any permanent changes.”

The first test events are scheduled for April, with results expected to inform the 2027 rulebook.