Pickleball, a sport that has been gaining international prominence, is now taking a significant leap forward. In a bid to add impetus to the rapidly growing sport, the stakeholders announced the launch of a world ranking, a world series in 2025 and a world tour based on global standings, that will be worth $15 million, on Friday.
New Developments in Pickleball World
Pickleball World Rankings (PWR): Similar to tennis, PWR is launching a global ranking system for the game. This system will assess players’ performance and determine their standings on an international scale.
PWR World Series: The inaugural PWR World Series is set to kick off in March 2025. The first stop will be in the Middle East, with a substantial $1.5 million prize pool. This marks a significant milestone for the sport, as it’s the highest prize money ever offered in the game.
PWR World Tour: Beyond the series, pickleball enthusiasts can look forward to the PWR World Tour. This tour will feature events held worldwide, collectively offering an impressive $15 million in prize money. Top players from different regions will compete, elevating the sport’s profile.
Pickleball World Rankings Launch In Dubai | PWR World Series, Tour Set To Take Over Racquet Sports#Pickleball #PickleballWorldRankings #PWR @TheMeganFudge pic.twitter.com/FuuVoycy5h
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) July 26, 2024
Growing International Presence: The game has transcended its U.S. roots and is now making waves globally. The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) recently announced ranking events outside the U.S., and the sport even featured in the Miami Open.
Ambitious Goals: Major League Pickleball, backed by former NBA champion LeBron James, aims to have 40 million pickleball players by 2030. With these new rankings and tours, the sport is well on its way to achieving that vision.
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