One of pickleball's largest festivals—the Franklin US Open 2026 closes on its 10th anniversary
From April 14 to 18, 2026, in Naples, Florida,the Franklin US Open Pickleball Championships 2026was held. This tournament, marking its 10th anniversary since its first edition in 2016, had total prize money ofover 185,000 dollars, with a triple-crown bonus of 25,000 dollars set for the five pro divisions. Furthermore,DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) introduced a rating system dedicated to wheelchair pickleball for the first time, showing a step toward an inclusive competitive environment.
Tournament overview and key data
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament Name | the Franklin US Open Pickleball Championships 2026 |
| Dates | April 14 to 18, 2026 |
| Venues | Naples, Florida |
| Milestone | The 10th edition (first held in 2016) |
| Total prize money | Over 185,000 dollars (about 28 million yen) |
| Triple-crown bonus | 25,000 dollars (22,000 dollars prize + 3,000 dollars bonus) |
| Pro divisions | Men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles, mixed doubles |
| Ball used | Franklin X-40 |
| Broadcast | Tue-Thu: Pickleball Channel YouTube / Fri-Sat: CBS Sports Network |
Highlights of the 10th-anniversary tournament
The first introduction of DUPR's wheelchair-only rating
Pickleball's universal rating system "DUPR," at this tournament,a rating algorithm dedicated to wheelchair pickleballimplemented for the first time. Conventional DUPR ratings were designed with standing players as the standard, but a unique metric reflecting the movement characteristics and tactical differences of wheelchair players was introduced. This makes fair matchmaking and ranking management possible for the wheelchair division.
Matchups to watch
Anna Leigh Waters (ALW) entered women's doubles with her mother Leigh Waters and mixed doubles with Jay Devilliers. Megan Fudge, who achieved a double crown in women's doubles and singles in 2025, is again one of the favorites this year. On the other hand, last year's men's singles champion Chris Haworth did not compete in this tournament.
Weather conditions and their impact on the ball
April in Naples ranges from 16-30°C, with daytime winds of around 16 km/h. In the morning, the Franklin X-40 ball moves fast, tending to slow down as the temperature rises. Adapting to conditions unique to an outdoor tournament divided the outcomes.
Reactions on the Ground
- A competing player's social media post: "Ten years ago, I watched my first US Open here. Now I'm standing on that very court. How much this sport has grown in ten years is proven by the heat of the venue."
- A person involved in wheelchair pickleball: "DUPR introducing a wheelchair-only rating is a historic moment for pickleball as a para-sport. You'll be able to know your opponent's level accurately."
- A Japanese enthusiast who came to watch: "The whole venue is all pickleball. The atmosphere where everyone from amateurs to pros can play at the same facility is instructive for running tournaments in Japan too."
Practical information for Japanese players
USオープンは海外大会の中でも参加が可能な大会。日本から出場を検討しているプレイヤー向けのポイントは以下の通り。
- How to register: Online entry via Pickleball Den. There's an amateur division too, with categories you can enter from DUPR 3.0 and up
- Destination: Naples, Florida (about 2 hours by car from Miami Airport, about 40 minutes from Fort Myers Airport)
- Entry Fee: Depends on the division, but roughly 60-100 dollars per event
- DUPR Rating: It goes smoothly if you create a DUPR account in advance and build up a record at domestic DUPR-compatible tournaments
In Japan too,the PPA Atlanta Championshipのような海外大会の情報を追いかけるプレイヤーが増えている。
Ripple effects on the industry—a new trend of para-sports x technology
The introduction of DUPR wheelchair ratings at this tournament brings ripple effects to the whole pickleball industry.
- Growth of the para-sports division: Official rating for wheelchair pickleball dramatically improves the competitive environment for para athletes
- Technology-led inclusion: By customizing the rating algorithm, a model was shown that can fairly evaluate different play styles on the same platform
- Expansion of broadcasting and streaming：CBS Sports Networkでの決勝放映は、テレビ局がピックルボールを放映するコンテンツとして認識していることを示す
Viewing and Participation Guide
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Live streaming (qualifiers) | Pickleball Channel（YouTube） |
| TV broadcast (finals) | CBS Sports Network |
| Bracket check | Pickleball Den |
| DUPR rating registration | dupr.com |
| Next tournament | 2027年4月開催予定 |
Summary -- The Next Action
Franklin USオープン2026は10周年にふさわしい規模で閉幕した。DUPR車いす専用レーティングの導入は、パラスポーツとしてのピックルボールの可能性を広げる取り組みだ。
What Japanese players can do now:
- Create a DUPR accountand obtain a rating at domestic compatible tournaments
- Toward next year's US Open 2027,start researching travel plans and the divisions to enter
- For those interested in wheelchair pickleball,check the details of DUPR's wheelchair rating and partner with local para-sports organizations
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Is the US Open a tournament only for pro players?
A. いいえ。プロ部門に加えてアマチュア部門が用意されています。DUPRレーティング3.0以上から参加できるカテゴリがあり、年齢・スキル別のブラケットで競技できます。
Q. Can DUPR's wheelchair rating be used in Japan too?
A. Because DUPR is a global platform, the wheelchair rating is expected to be reflected at Japan's DUPR-compatible tournaments too. Check the current status of support on the DUPR official site.
Q. Can the CBS Sports Network broadcast be viewed from Japan?
A. 日本での直接視聴は難しい場合がありますが、大会のハイライトはPickleball ChannelのYouTubeや各種SNSで公開されることが多いです。
