Last Updated on December 8, 2025 by Drew Pierce
Hey there, pickleball fam! Ace here, and what a week it’s been. While most of us in the States are knee-deep in holiday shopping and trying to squeeze in court time between family obligations, the pickleball world has been absolutely buzzing with international developments that are legitimately changing the landscape of our sport. From dramatic finals in India to a game-changing global alliance, plus some killer last-minute gift ideas—we’ve got a lot to cover. Let’s get into it.
Indian Pickleball League: Hyderabad Shocks Chennai to Reach the Finals
The inaugural Indian Pickleball League wrapped up its playoffs this week in New Delhi, and folks, the drama was absolutely electric. If you haven’t been following IPBL, you’ve been missing out on some seriously high-level pickleball with a franchise format that’s bringing real professional structure to India’s exploding pickleball scene.
In the Qualifier 1 match—basically the winner-takes-all for a direct ticket to the Grand Finale—second-seeded Hyderabad Royals pulled off a stunning upset against first-placed Chennai Super Warriors, winning 4-2. What made this particularly impressive is that Chennai came into the match unbeaten, riding high on momentum and home support.
The turning point was the women’s singles showdown between Megan Fudge of Hyderabad and Roos van Reek of Chennai. Van Reek had been undefeated in singles all tournament long—not a single loss. Fudge came out firing, dominating the kitchen line and building a 7-3 lead. Van Reek fought back to 7-7, but Fudge closed it out 15-13 in what had to be one of the most intense matches of the tournament. That upset handed van Reek her first singles loss of the league and completely shifted the momentum.
Hyderabad carried that energy into women’s doubles, where Fudge and Shreya Chakraborty held off a late Chennai push to win 15-13 and level the tie at 2-2. The Grand Rally (played to 21 points) was tense from start to finish, but Hyderabad pulled through 21-17 to punch their ticket to the finals.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Smashers—featuring World No. 3 Quang Duong and American pro Allison Harris—defeated Lucknow Leopards 4-2 in the Eliminator to advance to Qualifier 2. The IPBL format is fascinating because it borrowed elements from cricket’s IPL playoff structure, creating multiple chances for teams to reach the finals and maximizing drama.
What’s really impressive about IPBL is the level of international talent they brought in. Beyond Fudge, you’ve got players like Phuc Huynh, Ben Newell, Mitchell Hargreaves, and rising Indian stars like Aditya Ruhela (India’s top-ranked player) competing at a high level. The Grand Finale is coming up, and I’ll be watching closely to see how this inaugural season concludes.
Global Pickleball Alliance: The Sport Just Went Truly International
Now, here’s the story that might be the biggest development in pickleball this year: the formal announcement of the Global Pickleball Alliance and a unified global tour calendar for 2026.
The APP (Association of Pickleball Players) is leading a coalition that includes the Canadian National Pickleball League, Australia’s National Pickleball League, India’s Global Sports, European Pickleball Federation, Pickleball England, and Vietnam’s Pickleball D-Joy. Together, they’ve created the first-ever coordinated international professional pickleball calendar with over 30 tournaments scheduled for 2026.
Why does this matter? Because up until now, international pickleball has been fragmented. You had different tours in different countries with conflicting schedules, incompatible ranking systems, and no clear pathway for players to build international careers. The Global Pickleball Alliance changes all of that.
Starting with the NPL Invitational in Australia on December 5-7, 2025, the calendar includes major stops like the Indian Open (February 3-8), APP Daytona Beach Open (February 18-22), events in Vietnam, the English Open (August 12-16), Canadian Open (September 3-6), and the European Open (October 6-11). The tournaments are designated into three tiers with progressive prize pools and ranking points—similar to how tennis structures its Slams, 1000s, 500s, and 250s.
But the real game-changer is the unified global ranking system launching in 2026. For the first time, a player in Vietnam will be measured on the same scale as a player in Canada or Australia. That’s massive for legitimizing pickleball as a truly global sport and creating clear career pathways for professional players worldwide.
APP founder Ken Herrmann put it perfectly: “This is a monumental day for pickleball worldwide… we’re able to continue that mission worldwide and provide more competitive opportunities for players than ever before.”
As someone who’s watched pickleball grow from a niche recreational sport to what it is today, this alliance represents a quantum leap forward. It’s not just about more tournaments—it’s about creating a sustainable, professional ecosystem that can support athletes, attract sponsors, and build toward Olympic inclusion down the road.
Last-Minute Holiday Gift Guide: It’s Not Too Late!
Alright, let’s shift gears to something more immediately practical—holiday gifts for the pickleball players in your life. If you’re reading this and panicking because you haven’t bought anything yet, relax. I’ve got you covered with some solid options that are still available.
Pickleballs are always a winner. Seriously, we go through these things like crazy. A pack of Dura or Franklin outdoor balls runs about $20-30 and any player will use them. If you want to go premium, grab some Life Time balls—those are what the pros use. It’s practical, affordable, and shows you actually pay attention to their hobby.
For the serious player: quality overgrips. Tourna Grip is beloved by PPA Tour pros and comes in various colors and quantities. A pack of 10 runs around $20-25 and will last them months. It’s one of those gifts that seems small but makes a real difference in how their paddle feels.
Paddle deals are still live at Pickleball Central. They’re running holiday promotions through Christmas on major brands like JOOLA, Selkirk, Engage, and more. If you know their playing style (power vs. control), you can grab a quality paddle. If you’re unsure, honestly, just get a gift card. Paddles are personal, and you don’t want to drop $150+ on the wrong one.
For the player who has everything: accessories. VersaCourt is offering 25% off their pickleball court tiles through December 31st. If your friend has been talking about building a home court, this is the time. SQAIRZ pickleball-specific shoes are $20 off through Christmas—these have amazing traction and ankle support.
CRBN is still running their holiday sale with the TruFoam Genesis paddles discounted. Paddletek has 20-40% off various models through December 25th. Pickleball Apes has bundle deals with paddles and accessories at solid discounts.
My recommendation? Don’t overthink it. The fact that you’re buying something pickleball-related shows you care about their passion. Balls, grips, a nice bag, or a gift card to their favorite online retailer—any of these will make them happy.
Looking Ahead: 2026 Is Going to Be Massive
As we close out 2025, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate how far pickleball has come this year. We’ve seen the Indian Pickleball League launch successfully, the Global Pickleball Alliance unite international tours, breakthrough performances from young players, and continued dominance from established stars.
The final PPA Tour event of 2025—the Dairy Farmers Daytona Beach Open—happens in mid-December. It’ll be interesting to see how players close out the year and what storylines carry into 2026.
With the global alliance in place, we’re looking at a 2026 season that’s truly international in scope. American players will have clear pathways to compete overseas, international stars will have more opportunities to compete in the US, and the overall level of competition will rise as a result.
Enjoy the holidays, get some court time in when you can, and if you’re traveling, pack your paddle. You never know when you’ll find a court and some fellow pickleballers ready to play.
Stay warm, play hard, and remember: the holidays are for family, food, and finding time to dink.
—Ace