The center of the international pickleball world will be Birmingham, England this week when the 2026 Proflex English Open Powered by the APP brings nearly 3,400 professional and amateur players to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC).

Taking place from August 11-16, the six-day tournament will be the largest indoor pickleball event ever staged. Competition will take place on 60 courts across three interconnected halls, creating an unprecedented showcase for one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.

The 2026 tournament represents another significant milestone in the rapid growth of the Proflex English Open Powered by the APP. Launched in 2019 with 305 players and 694 event registrations, the event has expanded more than ninefold, prompting the move to the NEC for the first time.

“The move to the NEC marks the beginning of an incredibly exciting new era for the Proflex English Open Powered by the APP,” said Karen Mitchell, chair and co-founder of Pickleball England. “Delivering an event of this scale requires strong, committed partners, and the APP has been invaluable in helping us strengthen the English Open’s international reach and professional offering. The APP understands our ambition for the tournament and shares our determination to create an outstanding experience for players at every level. We cannot wait to welcome the APP professionals and the wider global pickleball community to Birmingham.”

The NEC’s scale will allow the Proflex English Open Powered by the APP to bring its competition, operations and commercial activity together in one connected arena. In addition to the 60-court tournament environment, the event will feature championship courts, a central Vendor Village, seminars, enhanced spectator areas and international livestream coverage.

The international field will include leading professional players from the Association of Pickleball Players (APP), who will compete alongside some of the best talent from the United Kingdom, Europe and beyond, plus hundreds of amateur players of all ages and skill levels. Among the professional field will be members of the 2026 APP U.S. National Team, featuring the sport's top up-and-coming pros under age 23.

Approximately 120 brackets in total will comprise the competition, including professional, amateur, junior, wheelchair and para categories. On Thursday, Aug. 13, a special team-based event, The Unity Cup, will pair all ages and all abilities together on one day for split-age hybrid competition. The extensive program reflects the inclusive, player-first approach shared by the APP and Pickleball England.

“The Proflex English Open Powered by the APP has become one of the landmark events on the international pickleball calendar, and everyone at the APP is excited to be part of its next chapter,” said Ken Herrmann, founder of the APP. “We have watched this tournament develop from its earliest days into an extraordinary global gathering of players. Our long-term partnership with Pickleball England is built around a shared commitment to players and to growing the sport with credibility and purpose. Bringing leading APP professionals to Birmingham to compete alongside such a broad international field is exactly the kind of opportunity we want to create around the world.”

The Proflex English Open Powered by the APP represents the latest major international event under the Global Pickleball Alliance (GPA), a coalition of respected organizations across the world committed to expanding competitive opportunities for players.

“This event is about much more than its record-breaking scale,” added Herrmann. “It is a celebration of the pickleball community and a powerful demonstration of the sport’s international momentum. The atmosphere created by thousands of players sharing one venue will be incredibly special.”

For schedules, results, spectator information and other event details, visit PickleballEngland.org.
 

Fans can stay posted on all the action on TheAPP.global and by following the APP’s social media pages: @OfficialAPPTour on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Threads and APP Tour on Facebook.

‍

Venue:

National Exhibition Centre

Pendigo Way, Marston Green

Birmingham B40 1NT, United Kingdom

Broadcast Info:
Pickleball England & APPTV channels on YouTube

Friday, Aug. 14 | Begins 3 am ET (8 am local time)

Saturday, Aug. 15 | Begins 3 am ET (8 am local time)

Sunday, Aug. 16 | Begins 3 am ET (8 am local time)