The Global Pickleball Federation (GPF) has formed a multi-year partnership with the Pickleball World Cup to strengthen the sport’s global reach. The 2025 Pickleball World Cup will take place from October 27 to November 2 at The FORT, a new world-class venue in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This partnership aims to create a clear framework for fair competition and promote pickleball worldwide.
A Growing International Competition
The Pickleball World Cup is the sport’s top global event. Last year, the tournament in Lima, Peru, featured teams from 33 countries. For 2025, more than 3,000 players from over 60 countries have registered, showing rapid growth in participation. Teams will play for national pride while celebrating cultures and a shared love for the sport.
“Under this groundbreaking GPF and Pickleball World Cup alignment, international players of all ages, gender, and ability will unite in person, to experience and celebrate our great sport of pickleball,”
said Hercilio Cabieses, Director of the Pickleball World Cup.
Shared Goals for Global Growth
The Pickleball World Cup began in 2023 in Lima, Peru. It was launched by siblings Hercilio Cabieses and Miranda Cabieses, who have worked to grow pickleball in Peru since 2021.
“Pickleball Peru is a proud member of the GPF,”
said Hercilio Cabieses, Founder of the Cabieses Foundation.
“As founder of Peru’s governing body for pickleball, and the Cabieses Foundation, and Director of the Pickleball World Cup, we share common goals with the GPF, to promote opportunities for all categories of players, and encourage the growth of pickleball globally.”
Path Toward Olympic Dreams
The GPF hopes this partnership will help pickleball earn recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The organization officially applied for IOC recognition in June 2025 in Lausanne, Switzerland. Gaining recognition could pave the way for pickleball to be included in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
“Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. To bring that dynamic to life, the international pickleball community will converge at The FORT for the Pickleball World Cup, the most exciting and entertaining pickleball competition I’ve ever experienced in person,”
said Chandler Carney, a GPF Board Member who competed in the 2024 tournament in Peru.
“The GPF is excited to align with the Pickleball World Cup, as we work to elevate and unify pickleball worldwide,”
added GPF Board Member Justin Maloof.
“Watching a record number of international teams gather in the U.S. from every continent to compete, especially during the 60th Anniversary year of pickleball, represents a historic moment for our sport.”
Significance and Next Steps
This partnership marks an important step in making pickleball a true global sport. With record-breaking participation and support from a worldwide governing body, the Pickleball World Cup is moving closer to Olympic status. Fans and players alike will watch closely as the sport continues to grow and seek its place on the Olympic stage.
News in Brief: Global Pickleball Federation Olympic Ambitions
The Global Pickleball Federation has partnered with the Pickleball World Cup to host the 2025 event at The FORT in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from October 27 to November 2. Over 3,000 players from more than 60 countries will compete, supporting GPF’s mission to grow pickleball worldwide and aim for Olympic recognition.
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