US Open Pickleball: How to Enter, Watch, and Compete
The US Open Pickleball Championship is held every April at East Naples Community Park in Naples, Florida. Any player can enter through the Player Lottery, with no qualifying event required. The next event is April 17-24, 2027.
US Open Pickleball is the biggest pickleball event in the world, and it is also one of the few top events that any player can enter. There is no qualifying tournament to win first. You enter a lottery, you play in your own age and skill division, and you share the same venue as the pros. This guide explains what the US Open Pickleball Championship is, how to enter it, what it costs, how the divisions and formats work, and how to watch it if you go as a fan.
What is the US Open Pickleball Championship?
The US Open Pickleball Championship, also known as the Franklin U.S. Open Pickleball Championships and the Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Powered by Margaritaville, is an annual pickleball tournament held every spring in Naples, Florida. It was founded in 2016 by Terri Graham and Chris Evon through their sports development firm, Spirit Promotions. The first event had close to 800 players and about 2,000 spectators over five days.
The event takes place at East Naples Community Park, 3500 Thomasson Dr, Naples, FL 34112, now home to the USOP National Pickleball Center. The centre has 65 lighted courts grouped by skill level, and 60 courts are set up for the tournament itself. The feature court is the Zing Zang Championship Court, where the pro finals are played. The event is often called the Biggest Pickleball Party in the World, and the nickname fits: alongside the matches there is a Vendor Village, food vendors, and live music in the afternoons.
The event has grown every year since 2016. The figures below are year-labelled, because each year set a new record.
| Year | Players | Spectators |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3,250 competitors | More than 50,000 |
| 2025 | 3,450 athletes | More than 55,000 |
| 2026 | 3,750 players (organizer-reported) | Not published as a single figure |
The 2025 event drew players from all 50 states and 40 countries, and it included the competitive debut of tennis legend Andre Agassi, who partnered with world number one Anna Leigh Waters. The 2026 event, held April 11-18, was the 10th anniversary of the championship, and it was sanctioned by USA Pickleball for the first time, with every match refereed.
For the wider tournament world around this event, the tournaments guide covers the other tours and championships.
How to enter the US Open Pickleball
Anyone can enter the championship. That is what makes it different from most pro events. There are no qualifying events, and previous medalists and first-timers have the same chance of getting a spot. Entry runs through the US Open Player Lottery, introduced in 2019 because demand was too high for first-come registration.
The steps are simple, and the order matters:
- Get a DUPR rating. DUPR is the official and exclusive rating of the US Open, and your lottery event is set by it.
- Register during the General Registration Lottery period. In 2026 that window was January 14-20. You can register at any time inside the window, because no priority is given for registering early.
- Name your partner before the lottery closes. You can sign up without a partner at first, and your name goes on the Players Needing Partners list so you can find one and edit your registration before the window closes.
- Wait for the confirmation email. In 2026, lottery winners were emailed on January 28, and payment was due by February 3. Nonpaid teams were removed on February 5 and alternates were notified.
- Pay the credential and event fees below. Payment is not required until your confirmation email arrives.
Your lottery event must match two things: the age of the lowest team member, and the skill level equal to or higher than the highest team member. The official example makes this clear: a 54-year-old rated 3.752 DUPR paired with a 47-year-old rated 4.102 DUPR plays in the 45-49 age group at 4.0 skill. Ratings are taken at the time of registration, and age is taken as of December 31 of the event year.
The 2026 registration fees below come from the official US Open registration page. Fees change from year to year, so check the official page before you budget for the next event.
| Fee | 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Amateur, Pro, Champions, or Masters credential | $150 |
| Junior credential | $35 (with a $115 refund for junior players) |
| Referee fee plus technology fee | $35 |
| Pro event | $135 per event |
| Split Age Pro, Champions Pro, or Masters Pro event | $100 per event |
| Amateur event | $45 per doubles event, $50 per singles event |
| Junior event | $25 per event |
| Registration and weather insurance | $25 |
If you need a substitute partner, email registration before the event: until April 1 in 2026 you could bring in a player who was not already registered, and after that date your substitute had to come from players already registered in the US Open. A substitute must be able to play in the same skill and age group as your spot. The official registration page has the current deadlines and the full lottery timeline.
US Open Pickleball divisions and formats
The championship runs pro, senior pro, amateur, junior, wheelchair, champions pro, and masters pro divisions. The pro side has five pro events and five senior pro events: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, plus three mixed-age doubles events. Amateur players compete in the same five events, split by age and skill, with age groups from 19+ up to 80+ and skill levels from 3.0 to 5.0 and above.
One division is unique to this event: split-age pro, where each team pairs one player under 50 with a partner over 50. It is a popular bracket, and it rewards the mix of speed and experience.
The format depends on your division, and the difference matters for how many matches you are guaranteed.
| Division | Format |
|---|---|
| Amateur, Wheelchair, Junior, Champions Pro, Masters Pro | Double elimination with a consolation bracket |
| Pro and Split Age Pro | Single elimination |
In the double elimination divisions, the consolation bracket plays for the bronze medal, and the winners bracket plays for gold and silver, so a first loss does not end your event. In the pro divisions, a loss ends your run, which is why the pro matches carry more pressure. Pro events are played in a single day up to the semifinals, the semifinals are played on Friday, and the gold, silver, and bronze matches are played on Championship Saturday.
The scoring guide explains the standard side-out scoring used in the matches.
How to watch the US Open Pickleball
You do not need a ticket to watch most of the championship. In 2026, 59 of the courts were free to watch, with no ticket needed, and general admission to the venue was free. You can walk between courts, watch pro and amateur matches side by side, and visit the Vendor Village.
The exception is the Zing Zang Championship Court, where the pro finals are played. Tickets for that court are sold through a ticket lottery: in 2026 the ticket lottery ran February 1-5, with on-site purchase as the other option. Premium packages add reserved seating and access to the Margaritaville VIP Club, with food, drinks, and premier parking.
Parking in 2026 was $10 per day or $60 for a weekly pass, cashless, with proceeds going to Kiwanis. Older guides still list a $5 daily parking fee, but that figure is out of date.
If you cannot go to Naples, you can still follow the event. Portions of the tournament have been televised by CBS Sports Network, usually on tape delay, since the event began, and the official site links to Pickleball Channel coverage. Search for “us open pickleball live” and “us open pickleball on tv” around event week for the current broadcast details, because the channel and schedule change each year.
2026 US Open Pickleball champions
This section is a short dated record of the most recent event, April 11-18, 2026. The rest of this guide is evergreen, but champions change every year.
| Event | Gold |
|---|---|
| Men’s Pro Singles | Dustin Boyer |
| Women’s Pro Singles | Kat Stewart |
| Men’s Pro Doubles | Jack Munro and Richard Livornese |
| Women’s Pro Doubles | Anna Leigh Waters and Leigh Waters |
| Mixed Pro Doubles | Anna Leigh Waters and Jay Devilliers |
Anna Leigh Waters won two gold medals in 2026, in women’s doubles with her mother Leigh Waters and in mixed doubles with Jay Devilliers. Kat Stewart beat Seone Mendez in the women’s singles final, and Dustin Boyer beat Jay Devilliers in the men’s singles final.
First-timer tips for the US Open Pickleball
Pro tip: Enter the lottery even if you are not sure about your partner yet. You can sign up without one, find a partner on the Players Needing Partners list, and edit your registration before the lottery closes.
- Arrive early on your playing days. With 60 courts running at once, your match court can be a long walk from the entrance, and warm-up court time is limited.
- Bring your own paddle and a spare. There are vendors on site, but you do not want to break in a new paddle on match day.
- Plan for Florida heat. April in Naples is warm and humid, so bring water, sunscreen, and a hat, and use the shade between matches.
- Stay for Championship Saturday even if you are out of the draw. The pro finals on the Zing Zang Championship Court are the best pickleball you will see live all year.
- Study the format before you play. The strategy guide covers positioning and tactics that help in tournament play, especially covering the middle and playing patient at the kitchen line.
US Open Pickleball questions, answered
What is the US Open Pickleball Championship?
It is the largest annual pickleball tournament in the world, held every April at East Naples Community Park in Naples, Florida. It was founded in 2016 and is open to amateur, professional, and international players.
How do I enter the US Open Pickleball?
Enter through the US Open Player Lottery on the official site. No qualifying event is required. You need a DUPR rating, you register during the January lottery window, and you name your partner before the window closes.
How much does the US Open Pickleball cost to enter?
In 2026, the credential was $150 for amateur, pro, champions, and masters players, plus $35 for referee and technology fees and $45 to $135 per event depending on your division. Fees change yearly, so check the official registration page for the next event.
Can anyone play in the US Open Pickleball?
Yes. The US Open welcomes all players, with no qualifying events required. Amateur divisions are split by age and skill, so you play against players at your own level, and your event is set by your DUPR rating.
How can I watch the US Open Pickleball?
Most courts are free to watch with no ticket needed. The Zing Zang Championship Court needs a ticket through the ticket lottery or on-site purchase. Portions of the event are televised by CBS Sports Network, usually on tape delay.
When is the next US Open Pickleball?
The next championships are April 17-24, 2027, in Naples, Florida, according to the official registration page. The event is held every April at the same venue.
Is the US Open Pickleball the same as Major League Pickleball?
No. The US Open is a tournament where players enter as individuals or pairs. Major League Pickleball is a coed professional team league with a season and standings.
Related guides
Checked: November 5, 2026, against the official US Open registration page, Wikipedia, and 2026 event recaps.
