The 2026 Australian Pickleball Cup will feature a prize pool of over $500,000 USD. The event is scheduled from October 13 to October 18 at Brisbane's Pat Rafter Arena, within the Queensland Tennis Centre.
This year's tournament is a joint effort between the PPA Tour and PPA Tour Australia, showcasing elite pickleball players from around the world. As a 1500-point competition, it draws top-tier talent to Australia.
International stars such as Hayden Patriquin, Paris Todd, Tyson McGuffin, Jorja Johnson, Federico Staksrud, and Christian Alshon are set to compete. They will be joined by Australia's best, including Danni-Elle Townsend, the current Major League Pickleball 'Most Improved Player', along with Mitchell Hargreaves, Andie Dikosavljevic, Sahra Dennehy, Joey Wild, and George Wall.
Tim Joiner, CEO of PPA Tour Australia and Major League Pickleball Australia, expressed his enthusiasm for the event. He discussed the rapid rise of pickleball in Australia and New Zealand, noting the expanding talent pool and the sport's growing popularity. Joiner said, "Having major events like this, where we partner with the Pro Tour in the US and bring out the best pickleball players in the world, to play against the unbelievable talent we have here in Australia and New Zealand shows just how quickly the Australian and New Zealand player base continues to improve."
The tournament not only marks the sport's growth but also provides a platform for local players to gain global exposure. Many athletes have used these events to launch their careers into competitions in the United States.
Chris Patrick, President, International for Pickleball Inc., emphasized Australia's role as a crucial market for pickleball. He said, "Australia is one of the most important growth markets for pickleball globally, and the 2026 Australian Pickleball Cup reflects exactly what we want international expansion to look like: the world's best players competing alongside the strongest regional talent at an iconic venue, with meaningful prize money and a clear pathway to the global stage."
The event aims to showcase the progress of pickleball in the ANZ region, with registration open for both amateur and professional players. Spectators are encouraged to secure their tickets to witness this milestone event.
For those interested in participating, registrations can be completed at www. Pickleballtournaments.com. Spectator tickets are available at Tixr. For media inquiries, Jess Cunningham can be contacted at Jess@ppatour.com.au.
