For the longest time, people have asked the same question about pickleball:

“Is this just an American thing?”

A few years ago, maybe that was a fair question. Today, it’s becoming harder to make that argument.

Last week, the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) and Pickleball England announced an expanded strategic partnership. On paper, it sounds like another business announcement. But if you’ve been paying attention to the way this sport has grown, it feels like something much bigger.

It feels like another sign that pickleball has officially outgrown its borders.

The 2026 English Open Heads to Birmingham

At the center of the partnership is the 2026 English Open, which will take place August 11–16 at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. The event is expected to attract more than 3,000 players from over 45 countries, making it the largest indoor pickleball tournament in the world. The six-day event will include 120 divisions across age and skill levels, including junior, wheelchair, para, and Open divisions, along with the Unity Cup team competition and a $50,000 prize purse.

Those numbers are impressive.

But the numbers aren’t really what caught my attention.

What Makes Pickleball Different

What stood out to me was imagining what those halls in Birmingham would look like.

Thousands of people who grew up speaking different languages and living very different lives, all showing up because of the same simple game.

You’ll have teenagers competing alongside retirees. Players in wheelchairs competing on the same stage as elite athletes. Families making vacations out of tournaments. Friends meeting for the first time after years of following one another online.

That’s always been the magic of pickleball.

The headlines tend to focus on television deals, prize money, and professional tours. Those things matter. But the reason this sport has exploded isn’t because of what happens on championship Sunday.

It’s because of what happens everywhere else.

It’s the beginner who nervously walks onto the court and leaves with three new phone numbers.

It’s the widow who finds community again.

It’s the former athlete who thought their competitive days were behind them.

It’s the person recovering from an injury who simply wants to move their body and feel like themselves again.

That’s how sports grow. Not from the top down, but from the ground up.

A Bigger Step for International Pickleball

APP founder Ken Herrmann said it well in the announcement, calling the English Open “one of the standout international events in pickleball” and pointing to the tremendous growth taking place across England and Europe. He emphasized the importance of working alongside organizations that are committed to creating meaningful opportunities for players.

Pickleball England Chair and Co-Founder Karen Mitchell echoed that sentiment, highlighting the goal of delivering an exceptional experience while continuing to grow the game throughout England.

The English Open may be making headlines because of its size, but perhaps its greatest significance is what it represents: more opportunities for more people to experience the sport.

As pickleball continues to expand beyond North America, partnerships like this one help create pathways for players of all ages and abilities to compete, connect, and be part of the game’s growth. It will be exciting to see what Birmingham has in store this August—and what comes next.