Esports Pickleball League: Pickleball is entering the digital world with the launch of its first virtual reality (VR) esports league. Players will use VR headsets and paddle controllers to compete in matches from home. The league aims to mix the fun of video games with the rising popularity of pickleball in the United States.
In 2022, 36.5 million people in the U.S. played pickleball at least once. Now, game makers and sports companies want to reach new fans by combining pickleball and gaming. According to Raghu Bathina, CEO of Playin Games, Pickleball VR “redefines the experience of virtual sports” by capturing the game’s social and physical essence.
League Format and Prize Pool
The league will follow a format similar to other esports events. It will include online open play, letting players from around the world join in singles or doubles matches. Earlier events, like the Gearbox–Playin Pickleball VR Open, were streamed on platforms such as Discord and Twitch.
Players in past VR events won real prizes. Winners in the Gearbox VR Open received branded paddles and trips to pro events on the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour. Big prize money is also expected in the new league.
The VR Master League’s 2025 VRMLCON gave out $20,000 in prizes. One source said the new league’s prize fund could reach six figures. The SportsBusiness Journal reported that top pickleball leagues recently got $75 million in new funding, showing that major money is backing the sport.
Technology and Gameplay
The matches will use advanced VR gear. Players will wear headsets, like Meta Quest, and paddle-shaped controllers. The games are built to follow real pickleball rules, using physics that closely match the real sport. Some controllers, like those from SolidSlime, add swing weight and wind resistance to feel more like a real paddle.
One game, Pickleball One, lets users play singles, doubles, and even watch other matches. It offers community tournaments with “real-life prizes.” Gearbox Sports, a well-known paddle brand, has partnered with VR developers. Its courts and paddles are already featured in VR games.
The league plans to stream matches online. Matches will be judged by the game system, and top games will be shown to fans. The setup is designed to feel like a real tournament — just from a player’s living room. One company says their VR tools let users “move freely in mixed reality” so they can swing without worry.
Reactions from Pickleball Pros
Some pro players have not shared their opinions yet. Stars like Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters are part of an upcoming PPA video game, but their views on VR pickleball are unknown. Some experts question whether VR can truly teach real-life skills.
Thomas Shields from The Dink said, “Virtual reality can’t fully recreate the experience of being on a physical court.” He believes the league will focus more on fun than on training. But he added that VR can help beginners, saying it brings the game to “those with restricted mobility” or people far from courts.
From a business point of view, the PPA is hopeful. Jeff Watson, Vice President of Communications for the PPA, said digital tools offer “another touchpoint for fans” and help promote players. A league member said if VR helps other sports like tennis and golf, it could do the same for pickleball. Still, some think it might just be a gimmick, especially since top pros are focused on real tournaments.
Why It Matters
This new league shows how traditional sports and esports are coming together. Other sports like football and racing already have online teams and leagues. Pickleball is now joining that trend to reach more fans and grow the sport.
Experts say that as pickleball keeps gaining fans, adding VR could help the game reach even more people. One VR company said the tools “capture the essence of pickleball as a game and as a social experience.” Whether it becomes a long-term success or just a short-term experiment, this league is a bold step into the future.
News in Brief: Esports Pickleball League
Pickleball’s first VR esports league has launched, letting players use headsets and controllers to compete online. With big prizes, support from Gearbox Sports, and matches streamed on Twitch, the league aims to grow the sport digitally. Experts are watching to see if it’s a lasting success or a short-term trend.
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