On March 29, 2026 (local time), at Black Desert Resort in Ivins, Utah,PPA Tour Greater Zion Cup 2026finally reached its final. The fierce competition unfolding over seven days from March 23 hit its peak today as championship day. In this cup event carrying 1,500 points — 1.5 times the usual — the world's top players put on a must-win battle.
Once known as the "Red Rock Open," this tournament is a matchup that pickleball fans around the world watch again this year. On high-altitude courts at 2,860 feet (about 870 m), players overcame all kinds of conditions to fight for the champion's title.
Mixed doubles:Anna Leigh Waters & Ben Johnsadvance to the final — can the wall of the strongest pair be broken?
The most notable matchup of this tournament is, without a doubt,Mixed doubles. The first-seededAnna Leigh Waters（ALW）& Ben Johnspair beat Anna Bright & Hayden Patriquin 6-11, 11-5, 11-4 in a come-from-behind semifinal win, advancing confidently to the final.
In the final, a matchup against the fifth-seededJessie Irvine & Gabe Tardiopair was set. Tardio is in top form with a six-tournament winning streak in men's doubles in the 2026 season alone, and he's a formidable player as part of this cross-gender pair as well. The prospect of a head-on challenge to Waters & Johns, "the strongest combo," had the venue buzzing.
Notable divisions: upsets galore in singles
Women's singlessaw ALW compete carrying an unbeaten streak of no fewer than664 days. In the quarterfinals she broke through against Jorja Johnson with a commanding 11-3, 11-7. She stood on the court on championship day radiating an overwhelming presence.
Men's singlessaw upheaval. The first seed,Hunter Johnsonshockingly bowed out early in the round of 32 (qualifying round). The field became a scramble centered on the second seed,Federico Staksrudand others, with Staksrud — the Texas Open champion from two weeks prior — eyeing back-to-back titles.
Men's doublessaw the undisputed kings,Gabe Tardio & Ben Johnsthe pair, continue an astonishing record of winning all six tournaments in the 2026 season. In the semifinals, theRiley Newman & Armaan Bhatiapair (ninth seed) also made a surprise run to delight the fans.
Returnees and new pairings: the side stories coloring this tournament
One thing that stole the spotlight at this tournament was the return ofWill Howellswho suffered a serious injury at the Minneapolis tournament last January. Back from a long absence, Howells paired with Noe Khlif & Meghan Dizon and took the court to warm cheers from fans.
Also,Jack Sock (former world No. 8 tennis player) & Lea Jansenalso debuted as a new mixed doubles pair at this tournament. How far Sock, who switched over from the tennis world, can break into the top of pickleball is drawing attention from around the world. On top of that, theAlix Truong & Noe Khlifnew combo also competed, making this tournament a lavish lineup of accomplished new and old pairs.
Points of interest for Japanese players: what a high-point cup event signals
Because this tournament is a "cup" format, it holds a special position with1.5 times the usual = up to 1,500 pointson the line. Only a handful of cup events remain among the 2026 season's official PPA tournaments, and the impact on the annual rankings is very large.
For Japan's pickleball world too, results from such top-level matches are a prime opportunity to learn "the world's standard." Anna Leigh Waters's overwhelming singles dominance, Ben Johns's all-around strength, and Gabe Tardio's stranglehold on doubles — these are the face of the world's pinnacle as of 2026, letting Japanese players feel firsthand the level to aim for.
In July, asPPA ASIA 500 Sansan TOKYO OPEN 2026thePPA Touris scheduled to debut for the first time in Tachikawa, Japan. Before the world's top pros come to Japan in person, following results like these should deepen the excitement and understanding of "that player is coming!"
Greater Zion Cup 2026 overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Black Desert Resort (Ivins, Utah) |
| Dates | March 23–29, 2026 |
| Tournament format | Cup event (1.5 times the usual points) |
| Winner's points | 1,500 points |
| Court altitude | About 870 m (high-altitude event) |
| Broadcast | PickleballTV · FS1 |
Source:Greater Zion Cup at Black Desert Resort | PPA Tour
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. How does the Greater Zion Cup differ from a regular PPA tournament?
A. Because it's a "cup" format, the winner is awarded 1,500 points, 1.5 times the usual. The impact on the annual rankings is large, making it a specially important tournament for PPA players. During the 2026 season, there are only four tournaments in this cup format.
Q. How impressive is Anna Leigh Waters's unbeaten record?
A. As of this tournament, ALW hadn't lost in women's singles for more than 664 days. It's an unbelievable streak even for any sport, and she is widely recognized as one of the greatest players in pickleball history.
Q. Where can I watch this tournament?
A. It's broadcast on PickleballTV (official streaming) and FS1 (a U.S. sports channel). From Japan, you can watch live and archived footage by subscribing to PickleballTV.
