You won't want to look away this week.
From Monday, April 13 – Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Sacramento, California,Fasenra Sacramento Open presented by Zimmer Biomet(PPA Tour 2026) is held. The venue is Life Time Arden (1220 Arden Hills Ln, Sacramento, CA 95864).
The PPA Tour is the largest tour in the pro pickleball world. Among the series of events held around the world throughout the year, Sacramento is positioned as an important spring stop. Following last week's MB Hanoi Cup (Vietnam), the clash now moves to the U.S. mainland. Top-ranked players gather.
Tournament schedule and broadcast plans
| Schedule | Details | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, April 13 | Qualifying / pro camp day 1 (16:00–19:00) | — |
| Tuesday, April 14 | Pro camp day 2 (16:00–19:00) | — |
| Thursday, April 16 | Round of 16 | PickleballTV（13:00〜21:00 ET） |
| Friday, April 17 | Quarterfinals | PickleballTV（13:00〜21:00 ET） |
| April 18 (Sat) | Semifinals / junior division | PickleballTV（13:00〜21:00 ET） |
| Sunday, April 19 | Finals / third-place match | PickleballTV（12:00〜19:00 ET） |
In Japan time, it falls in the late-night to early-morning hours from Thursday to Sunday. Get ready to stay up late to watch (and don't forget to check the PickleballTV stream).
Check the players to watch
The PPA Tour uses exclusive contracts with top players. This tournament also features the world's highest-ranked lineup.
- Ben Johns (men's singles world No. 1) — A pro known for overwhelming consistency and tactical vision. At the Hanoi Cup, he showed a perfect 11-0 first game in men's doubles.
- Anna Leigh Waters (women's singles world No. 1) — Recently signed a long-term deal with Franklin, appearing with her signature paddle "Aurelius." In Hanoi she won a double title in women's doubles and mixed doubles.
- Federico Staksrud — A strong player breaking into the men's singles title race.
- Anna Bright — An accomplished player showing consistent performance in women's singles.
- Jack Sock — A former ATP women's tour tennis pro. Plenty of presence even after switching to pickleball.
Amateurs can compete too!
The fun part of the PPA Tour is that pros and amateurs can play at the same venue on the same schedule. The amateur division covers all ratings from 1.0 to 5.0, and you can enter men's and women's singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. The entry fee is $95, with a deadline of Saturday, April 11, 2026, 17:00 PST.
Pro matches take place on the "Humana Championship Court," while amateur matches unfold on the adjacent "Carvana Grandstand Court." The best experience is getting to play your own match while feeling that your favorite pro is playing in the same space.
A chance to receive real coaching at the pro camp
Worth special mention is thetwo-day pro campheld April 13–14 (16:00–19:00). It's a valuable chance to be coached directly by PPA Tour pros and certified coaches. Even without competing, it's worth attending for this camp alone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Can I watch online from Japan?
A. All matches are live-streamed on PickleballTV. It's viewable from Japan too, and if you subscribe you can watch through the finals.PPA Tour official siteCheck the details from there.
Q. What's different about Anna Leigh Waters's new paddle "Aurelius"?
A. It's a signature model born from her long-term deal with Franklin. It uses a Peel Ply material with T700 carbon fiber laid at a 45-degree angle, balancing spin and precision. There are three types: 12.7mm thick (pro spec), 14mm, and 16mm. It received UPA-A certification in February 2026 and was approved for use in official PPA tournaments.
Q. When is the next big domestic Japanese tournament?
A. From July 1–4, 2026, in Tachikawa, Tokyo, thePPA ASIA 500 Sansan TOKYO OPEN 2026is scheduled. Entries have started from April 8, so by all means give it a try.
Summary
Last week Hanoi, this week Sacramento, and next week the US Open in Naples (April 11–18). World pickleball is right now at the peak of spring. With big tournaments coming up in Japan toward summer, watch the world's top battles closely and use them as hints for your own play.
▶ Official tournament information: PPA Tour – Sacramento Open 2026
▶ Registration site: pickleballtournaments.com – Sacramento Open
