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This is part of a series of 2024 news recaps in the ever-expanding world of Pickleball. Here, we’re focusing on the growth of the sport outside of its origin country the USA, with major news coming out of Asia and Australia in 2024. Pickleball international growth was a big topic in 2024, and will continue to be in 2025.
Professional Pickleball Association Announces The PPA Tour Australia
In late February 2024, the PPA announces the PPA Tour Australia. They’re rebranding “Pacific Pickleball” and expanding internationally. This makes sense in that there is already MLP Australia, and PPA’s Pardoe has ties to the country. There is much more to develop here and its a year before we see events, but this is the first major international expansion of the PPA Tour.
PPA Partners With Global Sports To Pursue PPA India And MLP India
In late April 2024, the PPA announces a deal with Global Sports to do PPA India and MLP India. The press release promised existing PPA-contracted player presence at the 2024 Mumbai open, a 1500-point event in early 2025, and the introduction of a country-specific MLP league in India similar to what MLP Australia has.
MLP Australia Kicks Off Season 2
In early July 2024, MLP Australia conducts its 2nd season draft and includes a slew of Americans who have made the commitment to fly to Australia for its three fall events. Well known pros committed include Kyles Yates, Shelby Bates, Michelle Esquivel, Liz Trulock, and Wesley Gabrielson. It is the first time that US-based pros have explored international financial opportunities in a major way, and it bodes well for further international pro expansion to come.
UPA Announces Plans For Five International Events In 2025
In Mid July 2024, the UPA announces Five international events for 2025. The UPA International Championship Series will launch in 2025 and will be operated between the UPA and leading operational organizations in each country. They plan events in Australia, India, Canada, Asia and Europe and promise to bring the top PPA contracted pros. This is UPA/PPA’s first major foray internationally after being beaten to the punch by the APP’s 2023 and 2024 efforts to partner with major international tournaments. These events should include the previously announced PPA and MLP India events. This announcement’s timing seems triggered by the PWR debut press conference, which happened the next day.
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