Anytime JOOLA releases a new pickleball paddle, it’s big news in the equipment industry.

We got word this week that the brand’s latest model is coming this month, and it already has reviewers and gearheads buzzing. JOOLA is keeping the details to themselves for now, but we do know this: It will be the company’s first full-foam paddle. Consider us excited to get our hands on this one.

Also, Honcho Pickleball is looking for more facilities to host amateur leagues. With 90+ venues and growing, Honcho handles the league while facilities get consistent court bookings and more players through the door. Learn more below.

In this issue:

• Why we love singles pickleball 🤯

• MLP sets new viewership record 📺

• PPA Tour kicking off 2026-27 season 🏟️

• Our favorite widebody paddles 😍

Let’s cook! 👨🏻‍🍳

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

This is why we love singles

The return of the PPA Tour this week means the return of dedicated singles draws — and you know we love singles.

We look forward to more points like this one as the best athletes in pickleball showcase their speed, athleticism, shot making and grit. You need the full package if you want to make a run in the singles draw these days.

🔗 Check out this week’s highlight on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok

THE PROS

PPA Tour kicking off 2026-27 season with huge event

The PPA Tour is back in action this week in Cary, North Carolina, for the Veolia Pickleball National Championships. It’s the first event of the tour’s 2026-27 season, and it’s a big one — as a slam, it is worth 2,000 ranking points for the winners in each division.

There are several interesting players and partnerships making their PPA Tour debut this week, as well as some old partnerships running it back to kick off the fall season. We’re already in the Round of 16, with most of the top teams and players still in the mix heading into the weekend.

MOVING PIECES IN MEN’S DOUBLES

No. 1 seeds Ben Johns/Gabe Tardio went undefeated this spring, so some of the other top players have switched it up for the fall slate to try to unseat the top duo.

No. 2 Andrei Daescu/Christian Alshon: These two are back together after teaming up for most of 2025. They won three gold medals, six silver medals and three bronze medals a year ago.

No. 3 Hayden Patriquin/Federico Staksrud: These two just met in the Major League Pickleball Finals, and now they’re back on the same side of the net. The last time we saw them playing together, they won the Pickleball World Championships in November.

No. 4 JW Johnson/Tama Shimabukuro: This is a first-time partnership. Can they make waves in their first event together?

NEW CHALLENGERS IN WOMEN’S DOUBLES

Much like men’s doubles, the top duo in women’s was dominant in the spring. Anna Leigh Waters/Anna Bright were 43-0 from January-May this year.

No. 3 Parris Todd/Rachel Rohrabacher: They played together twice this spring, winning one gold (Sacramento Open) and one silver. Can they challenge the top seeds?

No. 5 Catherine Parenteau/Sofia Sewing: Sewing is making her PPA Tour debut. Couldn’t ask for a much better partner right off the bat.

🔗 Find more info about the PPA Tour Veolia Pickleball National Championships here

TRENDING

The Major League Pickleball Finals set an all-time MLP viewership record last weekend, with 773,000 average viewers watching the CBS broadcast on Sunday, according to the league.

It was the second-most watched pro pickleball event in history on any network, behind the PPA Tour Masters Sunday broadcast on CBS earlier this year.

MLP said in a news release that the average viewership for this year’s MLP Finals represents a 55% increase vs. last year’s coverage, which was also on CBS.

🔗 More details about MLP’s record-setting weekend

PADDLE CORNER

JOOLA is releasing a new paddle later this month. Here’s what we know about it.

JOOLA Pickleball has announced that they have a new paddle launching later this month.

It’s called the POWER FX, and it is set to be released Sept. 30.

The brand hasn’t released many details about the design and construction of the new paddle, but we do know this: It will be JOOLA’s first full-foam option, “built to give players effortless power on every shot.”

“POWER FX represents something new for JOOLA — something our community has been asking for,” said Gordon Kaye, JOOLA’s Chief Experience Officer. “We’re excited to share more and get this in the hands of players very soon.”

🔗 More on JOOLA’s move into the full-foam category

PICKLEBALL LEAGUES

Honcho Pickleball is further expanding nationwide | Own or operate a venue? Here are the details!

Honcho Pickleball is actively looking for additional pickleball facilities to join its network of 90+ Preferred Venue Partners hosting weekly beginner-friendly and up amateur leagues!

Venue partners receive:

• Bulk, guaranteed, prepaid programming & revenue.

• Recurring weekly foot traffic.

• Aggressive paid advertising promoting your facility.

• Fully administered leagues with no administrative lift from your team.

• New player acquisition + upsell opportunities.

• A recurring experience that helps players associate their pickleball routine with your facility.

Honcho currently serves thousands of players week over week across its national venue network.

🔗 Own or operate a pickleball facility? Learn more here.

GEAR

Our favorite widebody pickleball paddles right now

Widebody pickleball paddles are often more forgiving and stable than their hybrid and elongated counterparts. They are generally 16 inches long x 8 inches wide, which means they have generous sweet spots and deliver more consistency on off-center shots, while also being very maneuverable.

That combination makes them a great fit for most beginners, as well as experienced players who prefer to play a more patient and controlled style. That’s not to say they lack power, though — modern technology has allowed manufacturers to maintain high-level power and pop, even in shorter paddles that don’t have as much leverage as elongated models.

Here are a few of our favorite widebody paddles right now:

RPM Friction Pro V2 Widebody: Many people (us included) were asking RPM for a widebody version of the Friction Pro V2, and they delivered with a paddle that plays as good as it looks. The pink colorway is a collaboration with rising junior player Ella Oh, and both the 14mm and 16mm models deliver great stability and maneuverability while maintaining the elite power that the V2 has become known for. The 14mm model delivers slightly more pop in hands battles at the net. Shop here and use code “KITCHEN” for 15% off!

Proton Project Peacock Widebody: The Proton Project Peacock widebody is one of our favorite paddles for doubles, especially the 13mm version. It has a very low swingweight of 105 and great pop at the kitchen line, which is a deadly combo in hands battles at the net. Shop here and use code “KITCHEN” for 15% off!

Paddletek Honeyfoam ESQ: This paddle comes in two thicknesses — 14mm and 16mm — and both are very solid. The 14mm version offers slightly more pop and power, while the 16mm version offers a very stable and consistent feel. Shop here and use code “KITCHEN” for 10% off!

🔗 Check out the full list and learn more about the benefits of widebody paddles

QUICK HITS

• Crazy match point: These guys were everywhere

• Wow: These kids would smoke all of us

• Danger: Padel players take things seriously

• Pickleball paradise: Doesn’t get much better than this