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
This tournament had the scale and buzz befitting the 10-year milestone.
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
The US Open is one of the relatively accessible tournaments among overseas events. Here are the points for players considering competing from Japan.
- 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 Championshipplayers who follow information on overseas tournaments like it are increasing. The US Open is at the top of "overseas tournaments I want to enter someday."
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: The final airing on CBS Sports Network shows that TV networks recognize pickleball as "content worth broadcasting"
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 | April 2027 (planned, dates not yet fixed) |
Summary -- The Next Action
The Franklin US Open 2026 closed at a scale befitting its 10th anniversary. The introduction of DUPR's wheelchair-only rating is a groundbreaking effort that widens the potential of pickleball as a para-sport.
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. No. In addition to pro divisions, many amateur divisions are provided. There are categories you can enter from DUPR rating 3.0 and up, and you can compete in brackets by age and skill.
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. Direct viewing in Japan may be difficult, but tournament highlights are often released on Pickleball Channel's YouTube and various social media. Using a VPN is one option for real-time viewing.
