2026 US Pickleball Open: Dates, Location, Format, and What to Expect
Every April, the pickleball world descends on Naples, Florida, for one of the biggest events in the sport. The Franklin US Open Pickleball Championships has grown from a regional tournament into a week-long festival that draws thousands of players and tens of thousands of fans.
The 2026 tournament runs April 11—18 and marks the 10th anniversary of the US Open, a milestone that organizers are treating like a big one, with expanded programming, activations, and even more happening around the grounds.
If you’ve never been, here’s the short version—it’s pickleball everywhere you look. Courts buzzing from early morning to evening, crowds moving from match to match, music playing in the background, and a vendor village that feels like a trade show mixed with a beach-town sports festival.
For players and spectators alike, here’s what to know before the first serve.
When and Where the 2026 US Open Takes Place
The 2026 Franklin US Open Pickleball Championships will take place Saturday, April 11 through Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Naples, Florida.
The tournament is held at East Naples Community Park, home to the USOP National Pickleball Center, one of the largest dedicated pickleball facilities in the world.
During tournament week, the park transforms into a full pickleball campus with around 60 courts surrounding the Zing Zang Championship Court, plus vendor tents, food trucks, sponsor activations, and entertainment areas.
Attendance has exploded in recent years. The 2025 event brought in more than 55,000 spectators and 3,400 players from all 50 states and 40 countries, so expect crowds, constant movement, and a lot going on from the time you arrive.
The Tournament Format
The US Open is one of the few pickleball tournaments that truly mixes elite professional competition with massive amateur participation.
Across the week you’ll see events for amateur players in age and skill divisions, professional divisions, Champions and Masters Pro divisions, Junior Championships, and wheelchair divisions.
Matches start early, typically between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m., and run throughout the day.
The biggest matches take place on Zing Zang Championship Court, where pro matches build toward semifinals on Friday and the finals on Saturday.
Key Competition Days
Opening Weekend (April 11-12) — Junior Championships and early amateur singles divisions.
Midweek (April 13-16) — Doubles divisions dominate the schedule along with pro singles and pro doubles play.
Semifinals Friday (April 17) — Pro semifinal matches and major amateur brackets.
Championship Saturday (April 18) — Pro finals and closing ceremonies.
That final weekend is when crowds peak and media coverage ramps up.
How the Player Lottery Works
Getting into the US Open as a player isn’t as simple as registering early.
Demand became so high that the tournament moved to a Open Player Lottery system in 2019, and it’s still used today. You’re too late to register to play in this year’s tournament, but if you’re thinking ahead, keep an eye out later this year for 2027 registration details.
This year’s lottery entry window opened in mid-January and results were sent about a week later. Players then had a short window to submit their payment and officially lock in their spot.
Players register through Pickleball Den, which also handles brackets, draws, and match updates during the tournament.
To play in singles, doubles, and mixed as an amateur, you’re looking at about $165, which includes your registration fee, event credentials, and a tournament swag bag.
Because demand is so high, the number of players selected depends on how many enter each event. The tournament does not publish acceptance odds.
Spectator Tickets and the Championship Court Lottery
One of the unique things about the US Open is how spectator-friendly it is. You can watch matches on 59 courts completely free. The only ticketed area is Zing Zang Championship Court, where the biggest pro matches take place.
Championship Court Tickets
Tickets are primarily distributed through a lottery system, similar to the player registration process.
The ticket lottery works like this:
Fans request tickets during the lottery window.
Each requested day receives a random lottery number.
Tickets are allocated in order of those numbers.
If selected, you receive an invoice and must pay within 48 hours.
If the payment window is missed, the ticket is forfeited.
The ticket lottery usually happens in February, and prices range from $10 to $85 depending on the day.
There is also a sold-out Premium Bleacher Package at $750, which includes reserved cushioned seating, entry for the entire week, drink tickets, and transferable credentials.
The good news is that even without Championship Court access, you can still walk the park for free, watch plenty of pickleball, and enjoy everything else happening around the venue.
What the Experience Is Like Onsite
The US Open is much more than just a tournament. The entire park becomes a pickleball festival.
Expect:
Vendor and sponsor expo areas
Paddle and gear demos
Food trucks and concessions
A beer garden and patio viewing areas
Live music through the week
Brand activations and giveaways
For the 10th anniversary, organizers have also hinted at expanded programming and sponsor experiences.
Franklin Sports, the tournament’s new title sponsor, is expected to bring a larger retail presence and more branded fan experiences to the grounds.
What First-Time Attendees Should Know
A few practical tips help a lot if it’s your first US Open.
Arrive early — Parking and security lines build quickly, especially later in the week.
Bring sun protection — Naples in April regularly hits the low-80s with very strong UV.
Hydrate constantly — Water refill stations are available around the park.
Bring a portable chair — Bleachers fill up fast on popular courts.
Plan your days — If you want the biggest pro matchups, prioritize Friday and Saturday.
Also, be ready for the weather to do whatever it wants. It’s hot, rain can pop up out of nowhere, and the whole thing feels a bit like a giant outdoor pickleball party. That’s part of the charm.
Why the US Open Still Feels Special
There are bigger pro events now and more televised pickleball than ever.
But the US Open still holds a unique place in the sport because it brings everyone together in one place.
Amateurs, pros, fans, brands, coaches, and first-time players all mix across the same complex for an entire week. It feels big, but it still feels thoughtful. That’s part of why people keep going back.
And with 2026 marking the 10th anniversary, expect an even bigger celebration of how far the sport has come.
