July had everything—red carpets, jaw-dropping rallies, and maybe the greatest point in pro pickleball history. Here’s your full recap of everything you missed.

Pickleball Industry News

Apple TV releases their new pickleball comedy movie, The Dink.

Prince Harry plays pickleball in the UK. 

The LA Mad Drops partner with pickleball fashion company J. Pritchard to design new team uniforms. 

A pickleball coach is cast on the new season of CBS’s Big Brother. And unfortunately, he’s voted out in week two. 

PaddleTek signs Jorja and JW Johnson and Hurricane Tyra Black. Brooke Buckner, Will Howells, Hannah Blatt, and Jay Devilliers go on the Pickleballers Podcast. 

Nearing the end of the MLP season, more big trades take place. Notably, Federico Staksrud is dealt from the Orlando Squeeze to the New Jersey 5s, and Connor Garnett is dealt from the Utah Black Diamonds to the LA Mad Drops.

Pickleball Inc. and the Pickleball World Cup unite to expand global competition. This artist painted a mural on public pickleball courts in Pittsburgh to celebrate play and community. 

 

 

 

 

 

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The New Jersey Fives temporarily rebranded to “The Fibes” in collaboration with Raisin Bran to spread the fiber-fueled message. 

Former NFL wide receiver Eric Decker attends the MLP Mid-Season Tournament and revealed how much he loves pickleball. 

Bucket hats became a hot topic of debate after PPA and MLP CEO Connor Pardoe tweeted that pickleball should ban them. 

 

 

 

 

 

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MLP begins the Champions Series to showcase the best talent for players over 40 years old. 

Pro Pickleball News

Here’s what your favorite pros were up to off the court. 

Anna Leigh Waters attends the EPSY Awards for the second year in a row. Her mom and coach Leigh Waters was also in attendance. And Franklin created a custom gold pickleball bag for the occasion. Waters then walked on another red carpet to celebrate her spot on the Time100. 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Victoria Radnothy (@victoria.rad)

Camila Zilveti got really into playing padel. Catherine Parenteau revealed the secret to how she stays focused on court – it’s chewing gum. Federico Staksrud took a trip to Greece with his fiancé. Then, they went to a World Cup game to support Argentina. Genie Bouchard attended Wimbledon and had the opportunity to sit in the Royal Box.

Kaitlyn Chirstian celebrated the fourth of July with friends and family. Anna Leigh Waters took a trip to the Florida Keys. Genie Bouchard visited Italy. Roscoe Bellamy took a trip to Spain. 

Ben Johns, Connor Garnett, Mary and Maggie Brascia, Meghan Dizon, and Roscoe and Beth Bellamy attended The Dink movie premiere and walked the blue carpet.

Grayson Goldin and Hannah Blatt visited Japan, then had their engagement party. Christian Alshon threw the opening pitch at a Chicago Cubs game. Jorja Johnson, JW Johnson, Hurricane Tyra Black, and Cam Chaffin were also in attendance at the game. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Aussie pro Dani-Elle Townsend traveled to Tokyo to compete in PPA Asia. Michael Loyd and his fiancé visited a stalagmite cave. Anna Leigh Waters attended the World Cup Finals. 

Gio Morelli and Chris Crouch took a vacation to the Caribbean. Matt Wright and Lucy Kovalova visited Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Camila Zilveti visited Croatia and achieved her bucket list of visiting 100 countries before she turned 30 years old. 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Camila Zilveti (@camilazilveti)

JW and Jorja Johnson traveled to Steamboat Springs, Colorado where they went to the rodeo. Jaume Martinez Vich returned home to Hawaii to visit friends. And Rachel Rohrabacher celebrated her birthday. 

Here’s what happened this month during Major League Pickleball. 

July’s action kicked off with the Mid-Season Tournament in Michigan. While playing for the Atlanta Bouncers, Jay Devilliers accidentally got hit in the head by Jessie Irvine’s paddle during a point. But don't worry, he's okay. 

The St. Louis Shock upset the favored New Jersey 5s and won the MLP Mid-Season Tournament. 

Then, the tour went to San Diego where the underdog team, the Dallas Flash, shocked the picklesphere and took home the victory. The Flash went on to win back-to-back weekends after securing the win at MLP Chicago. 

Meghan Dizon recieved an orange card after getting body bagged by her opponent. 

The final event of the regular season takes place at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports. 

At the event, fans watched Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters play on opposite sides of the court, which produced some of the best points we’ve seen in pro pickleball to date. 

Anna Leigh Waters won the 2026 Amway MLP Most Valuable Player Award. 

And the New Jersey Fives reigned supreme after one of the most tense and exciting matches of the weekend against the St. Louis Shock. Hayden Patriquins’ net cord celly was definitely a part of the highlight reel. 

What was your favorite pickleball moment from July 2026? Let us know on Instagram.