• WPBL Opening Days, PPA Rumours, and New Tours Shaping Global Pickleball
    Jan 29 2026

    In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont is joined by co-host Gordon Watson to break down a packed week of professional and international pickleball news.

    The discussion opens with analysis of the first two days of the World Pickleball League (WPBL), including early performances, standout moments, and what the opening matches reveal about the direction of the league. From there, Chris and Gordon turn to growing rumours linking Sofia Sewing to a potential move to the PPA, examining what such a shift could mean for both player and tour.

    The episode also covers PPA Indoors in Minnesota, with insights into the event, conditions, and its place on the professional calendar. Attention then shifts to Paddle Battle, the new Pickleball Kingdom reality TV show, where winners earn a coveted spot on the APP Tour, blending entertainment with competitive opportunity.

    To close, the hosts explore the launch of TOPSERIES, a new EMEA pickleball tour, and what it signals for the sport’s rapid growth across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

    This episode is essential listening for players, fans, and industry insiders tracking the evolving landscape of global pickleball.

    Topics covered include:

    • World Pickleball League opening days
    • Sofia Sewing and PPA transfer rumours
    • PPA Indoors Minnesota
    • Paddle Battle reality TV show and APP Tour pathway
    • TOPSERIES and the expansion of pickleball in EMEA

    Subscribe to the World Pickleball Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms for weekly analysis and insight into the biggest stories in pickleball worldwide.

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    55 mins
  • WPBL Season Two Preview: Teams, Players, and Pickleball Predictions
    Jan 22 2026

    In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont and co-host Gordon Watson dive deep into one of the most anticipated moments in professional pickleball: Season Two of the World Pickleball League (WPBL).

    Chris and Gordon preview what’s ahead for WPBL Season 2, set for January 24 to February 8, 2026, at Jio World Garden in Mumbai, India. They discuss the league’s expansion and global significance as teams prepare to battle it out in one of the sport’s most ambitious franchise competitions. With players from around the world drafted into city-based teams and a festival-style fan experience planned, this season is shaping up to be a milestone for pickleball’s growth and global profile. (wpbl.org)

    The hosts break down key storylines, including the diverse mix of international talent entering the draft, how the WPBL blends sport with entertainment, and what this means for players, fans, and markets beyond India. Whether you’re tracking franchise expansion, elite pickleball competition, or the sport’s rising global footprint, this episode gives you a front-row seat to Season 2’s build-up. (wpbl.org)

    Topics covered in this episode include:

    • Preview of World Pickleball League Season Two in Mumbai
    • New franchise teams and international player draft insights
    • WPBL’s focus on fan engagement and sportainment
    • How WPBL fits into the global pickleball landscape

    Subscribe to the World Pickleball Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms for weekly news and insights about the sport’s biggest developments.

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Paddle Deals, PPA Shocks, and AI: A Big Week in Global Pickleball
    Jan 15 2026

    In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont is joined by co-host Gordon Watson for a wide-ranging discussion on the biggest stories shaping pickleball right now.

    The episode opens with an update on what the team has been working on behind the scenes, including the continued growth and global reach of World Pickleball Magazine. From there, the conversation moves into one of the busiest periods in recent memory for paddle sponsorships, breaking down major player signings such as Anna Leigh Waters joining Franklin, Federico Staksrud Tardio’s move to Falcolos, and wider shifts involving Friday and Engage.

    Chris and Gordon also tackle several key developments across the professional and international game. Topics include Australia’s decision to drop Masters events, Harrison Brown’s surprise PPA win over Bhatia, and DUPR’s move toward AI integration with PB Vision. The episode closes with discussion around the upcoming World Pickleball Championships tournament in China and what it signals for the sport’s global expansion.

    This episode is essential listening for players, fans, coaches, and industry insiders who want a clear view of where pickleball is heading, both on and off the court.

    Topics covered include:

    Growth of World Pickleball Magazine

    Major pickleball paddle sponsorship signings

    Changes to the Australian pickleball calendar

    PPA results and standout performances

    DUPR and AI technology in pickleball

    World Pickleball Championships in China

    Subscribe to the World Pickleball Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms for weekly analysis, news, and conversation from across the global pickleball landscape.

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    43 mins
  • How Pickleball Is Growing in Venezuela with Leon Stanga
    Jan 13 2026

    In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont sits down with Leon Stanga, President and pioneering force behind Pickleball Venezuela.

    Leon shares the remarkable story of how pickleball took root in Venezuela, from early grassroots efforts to building a national structure for the sport. The conversation explores the challenges of growing pickleball in emerging markets, the role of leadership and education, and what it takes to introduce a new sport in regions where resources, awareness, and infrastructure can be limited.

    Listeners will gain insight into international pickleball development, federation building, tournament growth, and the cultural impact of pickleball beyond North America. Leon also discusses the future of pickleball in Latin America, opportunities for international collaboration, and why Venezuela has become an important part of the global pickleball conversation.

    Whether you are a competitive player, club organiser, coach, or simply passionate about the worldwide growth of pickleball, this episode offers a rare inside look at how the sport is expanding across borders.

    Topics covered include:

    • Pickleball growth in Venezuela
    • International pickleball development
    • Building national pickleball federations
    • Grassroots sports leadership
    • The future of pickleball in Latin America

    Subscribe to the World Pickleball Podcast for weekly conversations with the people shaping the present and future of pickleball around the world.

    Don't forget to download the latest massive issue of World Pickleball Magazine—featuring 150 pages of global news—for free at worldpickleballmagazine.com.

    Subscribe and leave a review to help us grow the game!

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    49 mins
  • The Picklebros on UK Pickleball, Content, and the Road Ahead
    Jan 7 2026

    In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont is joined by Dan Osben and Adam Webb, better known as The Picklebros, one of the most recognisable voices in UK pickleball media.

    The conversation explores the current state of pickleball in the United Kingdom, the role of content creators in shaping the sport’s culture, and how grassroots storytelling is helping drive awareness, participation, and community growth. Dan and Adam discuss their journey building The Picklebros brand, what they are seeing on courts across the UK, and where they believe British pickleball is heading next.

    PLEASE NOTE, DUE TO TECH ISSUES THIS PODCAST SUDDENLY ENDS MIDWAY THROUGH THE CONVERSATION - BUT HOPEFULLY, YOU'LL AGREE WHAT IS THERE IS A GOOD LISTEN!

    This episode also looks at how media, podcasts, and social platforms are becoming essential tools for emerging pickleball markets, and why authentic voices matter as the sport continues to professionalise globally.

    Whether you are a UK-based player, a club organiser, or simply interested in how pickleball is developing beyond North America, this episode offers grounded insight from people embedded in the game every week.

    Topics Covered
    • The rise of pickleball in the UK
    • Building pickleball media and content from the ground up
    • Community growth vs professionalisation
    • The role of podcasts and social media in emerging markets
    • Where British pickleball goes next
    Why Listen

    This episode is ideal for listeners searching for:

    • UK pickleball news and commentary
    • Pickleball podcasts outside the US
    • Insights from pickleball content creators
    • Conversations about grassroots growth and media
    Listen & Follow

    🌍 World Pickleball Magazine

    Website: worldpickleballmagazine.com

    Instagram & Facebook: @worldpickleballmagazine

    🎙 The Picklebros

    Instagram: @thepicklebrosuk

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    28 mins
  • UPA Contract Controversy, Nick Kyrgios Debut Rumours & The Best of 2025 Awards
    Dec 17 2025
    Join hosts Chris Beaumont and Gordon Watson for a blockbuster week in pickleball news. This episode dives deep into the major UPA contract dispute that has seen top stars like James Ignatovich and Ryan Fu terminated for playing in Japan. The duo also breaks down the massive changes coming to the PPA Tour global rankings, the restructuring of the Polish Pickleball Tour, and the exciting rumours surrounding tennis star Nick Kyrgios making his professional pickleball debut in Australia.

    Plus, we recap the APP Tour Championships in Fort Lauderdale and wrap up the year with our exclusive Best of 2025 Awards, crowning the breakout stars, best teams, and the most viral point of the year.

    In This Episode:

    • UPA Player Suspensions: Full analysis of the controversy surrounding the UPA terminating contracts for players participating in Pickleball Japan Federation events, including the lesser sanction for Paris Todd.
    • Global Ranking Unification: How the PPA Tour and PPA Asia are aligning their ranking systems to create a unified world tour for 2026.
    • Nick Kyrgios & Jack Sock: The rumours heating up about Kyrgios teaming up with Jack Sock for the PPA Australian Open.
    • Kyle Yates to Vietnam: Hall of Famer Kyle Yates signs on as the head coach for the DJY Academy in Ho Chi Minh City, solidifying Vietnam as a new talent hotbed.
    • Polish Tour Rebrand: A look at the new tiered tournament structure (500, 300, 200 series) launching in Poland for 2026.
    • APP Tour Finals Recap: A rundown of the winners from Fort Lauderdale, including first-time gold medalist Ryler DeHeart and women’s singles champion Sion Mendez.

    The Best of 2025 Awards: Chris and Gordon hand out their end-of-year accolades:

    • Breakout Stars: Mentions for Sara Denera, Yu Fei Long, and 14-year-old phenom Tama Shimabukuro.
    • Best Team: The Bengaluru Jawans (Warhawks) and the Columbus Sliders.
    • Best League: Why the World Pickleball League set the standard for 2025.
    • Best Point of the Year: The viral rally from the European Championships featuring Pep Canyadell and Marc Maragaria.

    Links & Resources:

    • Download the magazine: worldpickleballmagazine.com.
    • Follow us on Instagram: @worldpickleballmagazine.

    Keywords: Pickleball Podcast, UPA Contracts, PPA Tour Rankings, Nick Kyrgios Pickleball, APP Tour Results, Kyle Yates, World Pickleball League, Pickleball Awards 2025.

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    49 mins
  • Mumbai Smashers Win IPBL, Vietnam Dominates PPA Asia & MS Dhoni Playing Pickleball
    Dec 10 2025

    The boys are back! After a short hiatus involving moving houses to Anglesey and Rockhampton, hosts Chris Beaumont and Gordon Watson return to break down a massive week in global pickleball.

    In this jam-packed episode, we head to New Delhi for the IPBL 2025 Finale, where the Mumbai Smashers pulled off a stunning Cinderella run—going from the bottom of the table to defeating the Hyderabad Royals 5-1 to take the title.

    We also cover PPA Asia in Hangzhou, where Vietnamese players like Hoang Nam Ly dominated the field, and Gordon makes a bold prediction about Australian star Sahra Dennehy potentially challenging Anna Leigh Waters in the future.

    In this episode:

    • Our Weeks: The hosts catch up on their moves and Chris’s Northern League exploits.
    • PPA Asia: A breakdown of the action in China, including Alix Truong’s double gold and Hoang Nam Ly’s upset over Federico Staksrud.
    • IPBL Finale: How the Mumbai Smashers, led by Quang Duong and Pearl Amalsadiwala, secured the inaugural Indian Pickleball League title.
    • Dallas MiLP Finals: Recap of the largest amateur team tournament in history and the viral ATP shot by 11-year-old Carson Ngo.
    • CNPL News: The Southwest Ontario Brewers rebrand as the York Yeti under new ownership by former NHL players Cody Hodgson and T.J. Brodie.
    • PicklePro Tour: Sabrina Méndez and Pep Canyadell are crowned the year-end number ones in Spain.
    • Celeb Watch: Cricket legend MS Dhoni is spotted swapping his bat for a paddle in Dubai.
    • New Doc: A look at The Power of Pickleball, a new documentary coming to streaming platforms in early 2026.

    Don't forget to download the latest massive issue of World Pickleball Magazine—featuring 150 pages of global news—for free at worldpickleballmagazine.com.

    Subscribe and leave a review to help us grow the game!

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    42 mins
  • Global Shake-Ups and New Frontiers: From Federation Merger to India’s League Launch
    Nov 20 2025

    Join hosts Chris Beaumont and Gordon Watson for another steady and thoughtful look at the stories shaping the global pickleball landscape. Each week, they walk through their own lives on and off the court before diving into the developments that matter across every region of the sport.

    In this episode, they examine the proposed merger between the Global Pickleball Federation and the United World Pickleball Federation, a move that may shape the future of international governance. They also look at the European Pickleball Federation’s decision to shift the European Championships to a two-year cycle and introduce a new European Open next November.

    Chris and Gordo turn their attention to the World Pickleball Championship event in China, highlight the winners from the Melbourne Cup in Australia, and talk through the early form coming out of the PPA Lakeland stop. They close with a look at India’s new national league, which is set to launch on December 1 and marks another sign of the sport’s rapid expansion.

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    50 mins