Pickleball English OPEN to host record 3,000 players at NEC Birmingham

Pickleball England has announced that the 2026 Pickleball English OPEN will take place at the NEC Campus in Birmingham, marking a major milestone as the tournament moves to the UK’s largest exhibition venue for the first time. 

Taking place between August 11 - 16, the event will see the NEC Campus transformed into an indoor pickleball arena, with plans to build an impressive 60 courts across multiple interconnected halls—creating the largest indoor pickleball event in the world. 

The move reflects the rapid growth of the sport and the tournament itself. Having already attracted a record-breaking 3,000 + player registrations, the 2026 edition is set to surpass previous records and reinforce the English OPEN’s status as the largest pickleball tournament outside of the USA. 

Pickleball is a hybrid of tennis, badminton and table tennis, and the sport has grown exponentially over here in recent years. Played in either singles or doubles, pickleball is easy to learn and can be played by all ages and abilities, highlighting its accessibility. 

Players from across the UK and around the world will compete across a wide range of age groups and skill levels, from 3.0 to Open (Pro) divisions, ensuring competitive opportunities for all participants.

The relocation to the NEC Campus follows several years of expansion, with the 2025 event held at the Telford International Centre welcoming over 2,300 players from more than 40 countries—highlighting the sport’s accelerating international appeal. With easy access via air, rail & road links, the NEC Campus is the perfect venue to host players from the UK and around the world. 

Karen Mitchell, Chair & Co-Founder of Pickleball England, commented: ‘Bringing the English OPEN to the NEC Campus in Birmingham is a landmark moment for pickleball in England. The scale and flexibility of the venue allow us to deliver an experience like never before—for players, spectators, and partners alike. With demand already at unprecedented levels, this move ensures we can continue to grow the event and showcase the very best of our sport on a truly world-class stage.’ 

Sarah Harvey, Deputy CEO and Managing Director of Exhibitions for the NEC Campus said: ‘We’re all very excited for the Pickleball English Open to take place at the NEC Campus this summer. As we continue to evolve the Campus offer, particularly during the summer months, this is a brilliant addition to our programme.’

The NEC Campus capacity and infrastructure will enable Pickleball England to elevate every aspect of the tournament, from court provision and scheduling to spectator experience and event presentation. 

As pickleball continues to surge in popularity across the UK and beyond, the 2026 English OPEN is set to be the biggest and most ambitious edition yet—cementing its reputation as a flagship event on the global pickleball calendar. 

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