Pickleball Hall of Fame welcomes Class of 2026

Pickleball Hall of Fame welcomes Class of 2026

Five remarkable individuals. One lasting legacy. And an invitation for the pickleball community to help preserve what comes next.

The Pickleball Hall of Fame is proud to welcome the Class of 2026, honoring five individuals whose achievements, contributions and impact have helped shape the game of pickleball.
 

Matt Wright - Competitor

Matt Wright built one of the most accomplished careers in professional pickleball history, earning major championships, more than 460 professional match victories, and maintaining elite performance for more than a decade while balancing a distinguished legal career.

Lucy Kovalova - Competitor

Lucy Kovalova became one of the defining women's players of the modern era, earning championships across singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles while achieving the No. 1 ranking in professional pickleball and helping elevate the visibility of the professional game.

Dave Weinbach - Competitor

Dave Weinbach compiled one of the sport's most decorated competitive résumés, earning success across Open Professional, Skill/Age, and Senior Professional competition while capturing major championships over multiple eras of elite play. Weinbach is also regarded as one of the top teachers or instructors in the world.

Linda Laymon - Contributor

Linda Laymon has devoted more than 25 years to growing pickleball as both a player and volunteer leader. As a member of the USA Pickleball Board of Directors, she helped lead training and officiating initiatives and, alongside her husband Lynn, created the sport's first comprehensive referee training program, referee handbook, and officiating guidelines. Their pioneering work established the educational foundation that evolved into today's certified referee program and standardized officiating throughout the sport.

Marsha Freso - Contributor

Marsha Freso has been one of pickleball's most influential referee educators and ambassadors. As one of the first 10 USA Pickleball Certified Referees, she helped establish the profession during its formative years and has since trained officials throughout the United States and internationally. Alongside her husband Byron, she has traveled extensively to countries including India, China, Belgium, England, and Vietnam, sharing best practices and helping develop the next generation of pickleball officials worldwide.

Each member of this year's class represents a unique chapter in pickleball's story....from excellence on the court to contributions that helped grow, strengthen and advance the game.
 
This November, the pickleball community will come together in Arizona for Hall of Fame Weekend, two days dedicated to celebrating where pickleball has been, honoring those who helped bring it here and helping preserve its history for generations to come.
 

Hall of Fame Weekend begins November 12

Hall of Fame Weekend officially opens Thursday, November 12, with a special screening of the documentary Showing the Power of Pickleball.
 
5:00 PM — Documentary Screening
 
The evening will bring the pickleball community together around the stories, people and impact of the game and set the stage for the following day's celebration of the newest members of the Pickleball Hall of Fame.
 
 

Celebrate the Class of 2026 — November 13

On Friday, November 13, attention turns to the Class of 2026 and the Pickleball Hall of Fame Induction Celebration at Gold Canyon Resort in Arizona.
 
5:00 PM — Meet & Greet Cocktail Reception
6:00 PM — Banquet & Dinner
7:00 PM — Induction Ceremony
 
Join Hall of Famers, inductees, friends and members of the pickleball community for an evening celebrating the people whose accomplishments and contributions have earned them a permanent place in the history of the game.
 
 
But Hall of Fame Weekend isn't only about celebrating the history already made.
 
It's also about making sure that history is still here to be shared with the generations that follow.
 

Introducing The Keepers 100

The Pickleball Hall of Fame is inviting 100 individuals, families and organizations to become part of The Keepers 100—a special group committed to helping preserve the history and legacy of the game we love.
 
The idea is simple:
 

100 Keepers × $500 = $50,000 for pickleball's history

Funds raised through The Keepers 100 will support the Hall of Fame's ongoing work to preserve, celebrate and share the people, stories and history of pickleball.
 
And because those who help preserve history should become part of its story, The Keepers 100 will be recognized during Hall of Fame Weekend and honored on a dedicated Keepers 100 page on the Pickleball Hall of Fame website.
 

Be One of the 100

 

Today's Champions Are Tomorrow's History

Every generation of pickleball leaves something behind.
 
The pioneers created the game. The champions elevated it. Countless others helped carry it from backyard courts to a sport now played around the world.
 
Today, another generation is writing its chapter.
 
Someday, the players competing today will be the stories we tell, the photographs we preserve, the artifacts we protect and the legends we welcome into the Hall.
 
The Keepers 100 helps ensure those stories are still here to be told.
 
This November, join us as we experience the stories of the game on November 12, honor the Class of 2026 on November 13, and help preserve pickleball's legacy for everything that comes next.
 

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