Pickleball Kingdom, a prominent leader in indoor pickleball franchising, announced it will debut Pickleball Kingdom Paddle Battle, a pickleball competition reality series, in mid-January 2026. The show, streaming on YouTube, will blend athletic competition, personal storytelling and business opportunity, aiming to appeal to pickleball fans, sports enthusiasts and reality television viewers.
“This show is about dreams,” said Ace Rodrigues, the creator of the show and founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom, in a statement. “We will make four dreams come true, for two players on the court and for two in business. Lives will be changed. This has never been done before.”
Season 1 will feature 16 contestants competing for four major prizes. Two participants — a man and a woman — will earn one-year professional pickleball contracts based on their court performance. Additionally, one man and one woman will be awarded Pickleball Kingdom franchises, determined by audience vote.
“Each episode will highlight the back stories of the contestants and test their agility, strategy and ability to adapt to ever-changing circumstances both on and off the court,” added Rodrigues. “If you don’t play pickleball, I challenge you to watch one episode. I believe it will touch your soul, especially because you will have a chance to change someone’s life.”
The series will highlight player progress, friendships, rivalries and emotional turning points as they compete in high-stakes matches. Viewers will be invited to engage with the show and vote to help determine the franchise winners.
Pickleball Kingdom plans to share updates, contestant features and exclusive previews across its official digital platforms leading up to the January premiere.
Pickleball Kingdom was founded in Chandler, Arizona, in 2022 and now boasts more than 400 awarded franchise locations in the U.S.
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With over a decade spent covering the business side of sports and fitness, Rachel Chonko brings a wealth of experience and a true passion for active communities to Peake Media. As Editor-in-Chief, she’s focused on helping pickleball clubs and fitness facilities thrive, from guiding growth strategies to showcasing the latest industry trends. Rachel also hosts the Club Solutions Magazine Podcast, where she interviews leaders in fitness and pickleball to share insights and success stories with the wider community to give her listeners a competitive edge.
After taking up pickleball herself, Rachel has come to appreciate the sport’s unique blend of social connection and active living — a mix that’s perfectly in line with her editorial philosophy. Connect with her on LinkedIn, or check out her articles below for a deep dive into the energy and culture driving pickleball’s rapid rise.
