一般社団法人日本ピックルボール協会（JPA）が主催する「えひめオープン2026」が、2026年4月18日（土）〜19日（日）の2日間、愛媛県伊予市民体育館（しおさい公園体育館）で開催された（本稿公開時点で大会は終了しており、以下は開催概要）。四国エリアで唯一のJPA公式大会として、男子ダブルス・女子ダブルス・ミックスダブルスの全18カテゴリーを実施。DUPR 3.5未満のビギナー/中級カテゴリーとオープンカテゴリーを併設し、幅広いレベルの選手が参加できる設計だ。
Event overview — an 8-court arena, all 18 categories
At the Iyo City Gymnasium venue, eight pickleball courts are set up on the arena floor. The tournament runs over two days, split into four sessions in the morning and afternoon. All categories use a preliminary round-robin format of single-game matches to 15 points (no deuce), with top teams advancing to a knockout tournament.
A feature of this tournament is that it sets up, within each age division (19+, 35+, 50+), a category for players under DUPR 3.5 and an open category. Even players who have just started pickleball can play against opponents suited to their rating. It adopts the DUPR scoring system, so tournament results are reflected in ratings in real time.
Schedule details
| Schedule | Time slot | Category | Draw size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 4/18, morning | 9:30〜14:00 | Men’s D 19+/35+/50+ DUPR<3.5 Women’s D 19+/35+/50+ DUPR<3.5 | 6 teams each |
| Sat 4/18, afternoon | 14:00〜20:00 | Men’s D 19+/35+/50+ Open Women’s D 19+/35+/50+ Open | 8 teams each |
| Sun 4/19, morning | 9:30〜14:00 | Mixed D 19+ DUPR<3.5 Mixed D 35+/50+ DUPR<3.5 | 16/9/9 teams |
| Sun 4/19, afternoon | 14:00〜19:00 | Mixed D 19+/35+/50+ Open | 16/9/9 teams |
Background — where pickleball stands in its spread across Shikoku
The first Ehime Open was held in May 2025 at the Ehime Prefectural Sports Park Gymnasium, drawing attention as the Shikoku area’s first JPA official tournament. For 2026, the venue moves to the Iyo City Gymnasium, and the number of categories is expanded. The introduction of DUPR-separated categories appears to be a response to voices at the 2025 tournament that “beginners and intermediates had no choice but to compete in the same category as advanced players.”
The pickleball environment within Ehime Prefecture is growing steadily. “Pickleball Ehime,” based in Matsuyama City, holds regular practice sessions once or twice a month at the Ehime Prefectural Sports Park and the Kisuke Actos Building. At the Ehime Prefectural Sports Park, net rentals and paddle and ball sales are also available, and an environment where beginners can casually get started is taking shape.
Nationwide,the JPA TOP TOUR T7 Hamanakoandand Pickleball One Tokyo’s five-company alliance,and other developments expanding tournament scale and support structures have continued since the start of 2026.
Entry fees and conditions
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Must be a registered JPA player |
| Doubles entry fee | 16,000 yen / team |
| Singles entry fee | 9,000 yen / individual |
| Club-affiliation discount | 500–1,000 yen off |
| How to Enter | Tournated system (first come, first served) |
| Entry deadline | April 5, 2026, 23:59 |
| Cancellation | No refunds after the deadline |
Local reaction — what it means for Shikoku players
For pickleball enthusiasts living in Shikoku, a JPA official tournament held locally directly cuts travel costs. Until now, competing in official tournaments required traveling to Kansai, Chubu, or the Tokyo area. Players within Ehime Prefecture say, “It’s wonderful to be able to play rated JPA-sanctioned matches at a venue 30 minutes by car from home.”
The organizing committee explains the intent: “Many players who took part in last year’s first tournament requested DUPR-separated categories. This year we made it so everyone, from beginners to top players, can enjoy fulfilling matches at their own level.” Setting up a 50+ category reflects the nationwide trend of increasing senior participation in pickleball.
Participation from Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima Prefectures is also expected, strengthening its character as a “Shikoku tournament.” There are also voices hoping for future rotation across all four Shikoku prefectures.
Impact on readers — for those considering entering
The entry deadline of April 5 has already passed, but spectating on the day is likely possible (please confirm on the official website). If you have not yet registered as a JPA player, we recommend completing registration early ahead of the next Shikoku event. Because you need to link your player registration with a DUPR account, the procedure can take a few days if it is your first time.
The tournament match format is single-game matches to 15 points, with simple no-deuce rules.This is a different method from the rally scoring that drew attention in the 2026 USAP rule revision,but JPA domestic tournaments adopt their own format.
Ripple effects on the industry — expanding regional tournaments boosts the pickleball population
Entering 2026, the JPA is accelerating the holding of official tournaments across the country. The establishment of the Akita Prefecture branch, the Kagoshima Open, and the TOP TOUR at Hamanako—expansion into regional cities stands out. The Ehime Open’s introduction of DUPR-separated categories dispels the image of “official tournament = for advanced players” and could ripple to other regions as a measure that lowers the hurdle for beginner and intermediate players to enter tournaments.
Looking overseas, the PPA Tour is advancing its Asia expansion followingthe Hanoi Cup,and the UTR Pickleball Japan Tour is also scheduled to be held multiple times in 2026. With domestic JPA tournaments and international tour events both increasing in parallel, players have a broader choice of events suited to their level.
| Tournament Name | Location | Timing | Host / sanction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ehime Open 2026 | Iyo City, Ehime Prefecture | April 18–19 | JPA-hosted |
| JPA TOP TOUR T7 | Lake Hamana, Shizuoka Prefecture | Already held | JPA-hosted |
| UTR Japan Tour Vol.3 | KPI PARK (near Tokyo) | April 18 | PJF/UTR |
| PPA Tour Asia Hanoi Cup | Hanoi, Vietnam | Already held | PPA Tour |
Practical information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament Name | JPA Ehime Open 2026 |
| Schedule | Saturday, April 18 to Sunday, April 19, 2026 |
| Venues | Iyo City Gymnasium (Shiosai Park Gymnasium) |
| Address | 91-1 Mori, Iyo City, Ehime Prefecture |
| Number of courts | 8 courts (set up on the arena floor) |
| Match format | Single game to 15 points (no deuce), preliminary round robin → final knockout |
| Scoring | DUPR system |
| Official website | japanpickleball.org |
Summary
The Ehime Open 2026 is a tournament that serves as a gauge of pickleball’s spread across the Shikoku area. Its design—lowering the entry barrier for beginner and intermediate players by introducing DUPR-separated categories and drawing in seniors with the 50+ category—shows that Japanese pickleball tournaments are entering a period of maturity. In addition to the four Shikoku prefectures, participants from the neighboring Chugoku region and Kyushu are also expected. Information on the next regional tournaments is updated from time to time on the official JPA website.
FAQ
Q. What is DUPR? Can beginners take part?
A. DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is a globally shared rating system calculated based on match results. The Ehime Open sets up categories for players under DUPR 3.5, so even players who have just started can compete at a level that suits them. A DUPR account can be created for free online and must be linked with your JPA player registration.
Q. Where can I practice pickleball in Ehime Prefecture?
A. The Ehime Prefectural Sports Park Gymnasium in Matsuyama City is the main hub of activity, where trial practice sessions are held once or twice a month. Net rentals and paddle and ball sales are also available, so you can give it a try even without your own gear. The circle “Pickleball Ehime” also holds regular activities at the Kisuke Actos Building.
Q. When is the next JPA official tournament in Shikoku?
A. The schedule for the second half of 2026 has not been announced by the JPA (as of April 20). Because there are calls for rotating the event around Shikoku, it may be under consideration to hold it in Kagawa, Kochi, or Tokushima. Please check the tournament list page on the official JPA website (japanpickleball.org) regularly.
