2026 Golden Ticket Tournament Schedule: USA Pickleball has released the official Golden Ticket schedule for the 2026 season, giving amateur players across the country a direct chance to qualify for the USA Pickleball National Championships. The National Championships, the top event in the sport, will be held in November 2026.
Path to Nationals
Golden Ticket tournaments are considered the most competitive and respected events in pickleball. They allow gold medal winners to earn a “Golden Ticket,” which gives them early access to register for Nationals. These tournaments also provide players the chance to compete at some of the nation’s best venues.
For 2026, USA Pickleball is working with the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) and two national tournament directors to run these events. The new schedule includes returning stops and fresh locations from coast to coast.
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Voices from Leadership
“Golden Ticket tournaments are the heartbeat of our competitive pathway and a celebration of the best of pickleball,” said Mike Nealy, Chief Executive Officer of USA Pickleball. “With this 2026 Golden Ticket schedule, we’re thrilled to return to several cities and explore new opportunities throughout the country, while also strengthening our collaboration with both the APP Tour and veteran tournament directors to create more opportunities for players to earn their way to Nationals. We are excited to see you at Golden Ticket tournaments across the country in 2026.”
APP Founder Ken Herrmann added: “We’re proud to embark upon another exciting season together with our longtime partners at USA Pickleball. The USA Pickleball National Championships is a major highlight of the pickleball calendar, a world-class, unique event that is held in incredibly high regard among APP tournament players, quite rightly. Our partnership with USA Pickleball has created the perfect pathway for players to punch their ticket to Nationals at APP event, and there’s no better opportunity to earn your Golden Ticket than at one of our tournaments. I can’t wait to see the competition next year.”
Returning Locations
The 2026 Golden Ticket events will again be hosted in several major cities:
Las Vegas, Nevada – Returning after its popular 2024 stop.
Glendale, Arizona – Another chance to play in USA Pickleball’s home region.
San Diego, California – Returning to the Barnes Tennis Center, host of the 2025 National Championships.
Colorado Springs, Colorado – Set for its second year at Peak Pickleball.
Full Schedule
2025
Aug. 13–17 – APP Great Lakes Open – Midland, Mich.
Nov. 5–9 – APP Mesa Open – Mesa, Ariz.
2026
Jan. 21–25 – USA Pickleball Golden Ticket in Glendale – Glendale, Ariz.
Feb. 18–22 – APP Daytona Beach Open – Daytona Beach, Fla.
Feb. 18–22 – USA Pickleball Golden Ticket in Las Vegas – Las Vegas, Nev.
Mar. 25–29 – USA Pickleball Golden Ticket in Boise – Boise, Idaho
Mar. 25–29 – APP Fort Lauderdale Open – Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
April 22–26 – USA Pickleball Golden Ticket in San Diego – San Diego, Calif.
April 29–May 3 – APP Sacramento Open – Sacramento, Calif.
May 13–17 – APP Southern California Open – Newport Beach, Calif.
May 27–31 – APP Virginia Beach Open – Virginia Beach, Va.
June 3–7 – Golden Ticket – Wayne, N.J.
June 10–14 – APP Vlasic Classic – Cincinnati, Ohio
June 24–28 – USA Pickleball Golden Ticket in Colorado Springs – Colorado Springs, Colo.
July 8–12 – Golden Ticket – Seattle, Wash.
July 22–26 – APP Chicago Open – Chicago, Ill.
Why It Matters
The Golden Ticket series is the main pathway for amateur players to reach Nationals, making it one of the most important schedules in the sport. By expanding into more cities while keeping strong partnerships with APP and experienced directors, USA Pickleball is giving players across the country more chances to qualify for the sport’s biggest stage.
News in Brief: 2026 Golden Ticket Tournament Schedule
USA Pickleball has announced its 2026 Golden Ticket schedule, offering players a direct path to the USA Pickleball National Championships. Events will take place in major cities including Las Vegas, Glendale, San Diego, and Colorado Springs. Winners of Golden Ticket tournaments secure early access to register for Nationals.