The pickleball world's biggest festival, the Franklin US Open Pickleball Championships, is underway from April 11 to 18, 2026 at East Naples Community Park in Naples, Florida. This year is the milestone10th edition (10th anniversary),a "world's largest pickleball party" where more than 3,450 players and over 55,000 spectators from all 50 US states and more than 40 countries gather.
Ten years ago, this event started small in Naples, and now it has grown into a global brand event for pickleball. The 2026 10th edition looks back on its history so far while also preparing new content with an eye on the next 10 years.
Event basic info
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament Name | Franklin US Open Pickleball Championships (10th edition) |
| Dates | Saturday, April 11 to Saturday, April 18, 2026 |
| Venues | East Naples Community Park (Naples, Florida) |
| Number of participating players | More than 3,450 |
| Participating countries and regions | More than 40 countries, all 50 US states |
| Spectators | More than 55,000 |
| Title sponsor | Franklin Sports |
| Broadcast | PickleballTV and PPA Tour official social media |
Highlights of the 10th-anniversary edition
The 10-year journey and where it stands now
The US Open Pickleball Championships held its first edition in 2017, initially a regional event of a few hundred people. In 10 years it grew into one of Florida's largest sports events. Participant numbers, spectators, and sponsor scale all keep breaking records every year, making it an event that symbolizes "pickleball maturing as a sport."
For 2026, special staging befitting the 10th anniversary is planned, with content celebrating the milestone scattered throughout, such as exhibits of past champions, a commemorative ceremony, and limited-edition goods.
Category structure
The US Open is made up of a wide range of categories from amateur to pro.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Pro divisions | Singles, doubles, mixed doubles |
| Amateur divisions | By age and by skill level (using the DUPR rating system) |
| Senior divisions | Age-based categories from the 50s to 80s and over |
| Junior divisions | Age 19 and under |
Pro clinics and experience events
During the event, many pro clinics and experience events for general participants are also held. There are chances to receive direct coaching from famous pro players, giving it high value as "an event to take part in," not just to watch. VIP experience packages are also available, so you can enjoy the special 10th anniversary in the best way.
The pro scene to watch: the world's top battles
The US Open 2026 is positioned as a major event of the PPA Tour (Professional Pickleball Association), where top-ranked players from around the world gather. It's a chance to see the pickleball world's highest-level technique up close, with extensive TV coverage and live streaming.
Because real-time streaming is provided on PickleballTV and the PPA Tour's official social media channels, you can watch pro matches even from Japan. There's basically no Japanese commentary, but just watching the footage conveys the high quality of the play.
Connections to Japanese pickleball
The US Open is also an event that awards DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) points, so it's important from an international-ranking standpoint too. At present, cases of Japanese players advancing far in the US Open pro divisions are few, but change is expected as the domestic competitive level rises.
In particular,PPA ASIA 500 Sansan Tokyo Open 2026 (July)With its holding, the PPA Tour is set to come to Japan in earnest, and the significance for Japanese players of learning world-standard competition at the US Open is increasing.
Also,The Picklr's Japan rolloutIf international-standard dedicated facilities are developed through it, the base of Japanese players aiming for US Open level can also be expected to widen.
Spectating and participation guide (if going from Japan)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Nearest airport | Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) |
| Access from Japan | To Fort Myers via Los Angeles, Dallas, etc. (about 24-30 hours) |
| Distance from the venue | About 30 minutes from the airport (by car) |
| Spectator tickets | Purchase from the official site (usopenpickleball.com) |
| Player registration (amateur) | DUPR registration required, lottery system |
If you take part on a spectating trip from Japan, Naples is an upscale resort area on Florida's southwest coast, where you can also enjoy beach-resort sightseeing before and after the event. Florida in April is warm and comfortable, making it an ideal time for a trip too.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Can amateurs compete in the US Open?
Yes. The US Open has robust DUPR skill-based and age-based categories, so even beginner-to-intermediate players can take part. However, popular categories are lottery-based, so early registration is necessary. Registration with DUPR (dupr.com) is a prerequisite.
Q. Where can I watch the stream?
You can watch live streams and archives on PickleballTV (pickleball.tv) and the PPA Tour's official YouTube and social media channels. Some content may be paid.
Q. Are there special events for the 10th anniversary?
An awards ceremony for past champions, 10th-anniversary limited goods, and highlight exhibits of past events are planned. Details will be posted from time to time in the "Event Guide" section of the official site (usopenpickleball.com).
Summary
The Franklin US Open Pickleball Championships 2026 is a milestone event celebrating 10 years of pickleball history. The excitement in Naples, where 3,450 players and 55,000 spectators gather, proves that this sport is becoming a genuine major sport worldwide. From Japan too, enjoy the matches on stream while using world-standard play as a reference.
