The world showed up for pickleball.
Last week’s Pickleball World Cup turned Fort Lauderdale into the sport’s biggest stage yet—with 68 countries, 3,500 players, and packed stands at The Fort. Team USA swept gold across divisions, but breakout performances from around the globe proved this sport’s global future is bigger than ever.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk is teaching AI to explain black holes… and somehow, that ties back to pickleball. Scroll down to see what that means.

You’ll also find:

• The real reason your feet hurt after every match

• The smarter way to actually learn pickleball

• How pickleball brands are giving back this season

• Why the sport’s growth makes perfect sense.

We’ve also added something new—a look back at the history of pickleball, courtesy of historian Jennifer Lucore.

🏆 Pickleball’s Biggest Stage Yet: Inside the 2025 World Cup

Fort Lauderdale was buzzing last week as 68 countries and 3,500 players hit The Fort for the biggest pickleball event in history. The brand-new, 43-court facility—complete with a 2,000-seat stadium—hosted six days of nonstop play, stacked with upsets, breakout performances, and packed stands.

Team USA’s Golden Sweep

Team USA dominated from start to finish, defeating Hong Kong 4-0 in the national team final and taking home titles across the junior, open, and senior divisions. The sweep capped off a tournament that felt more like the Olympics than any event the sport has seen so far.

India and Israel Break Through

India’s players made serious noise this year, collecting 24 total medals—eight of them gold—and proving the country’s program is no longer an underdog. Israel also shocked the field, taking down defending champion Puerto Rico in a seven-game group-stage tiebreak; bringing home its first international gold.

A Venue and Crowd to Match the Moment

More than 25,000 fans passed through The Fort throughout the week, with grandstands full by the weekend and chants echoing across the complex. Between the high-level play and the world-class setup, Fort Lauderdale felt like the center of the pickleball universe.

👉 You can follow the Pickleball World Cup on Instagram for updates on the 2026 Cup event.

🌎 Around the Picklesphere

💬 Why Sarah Ansboury and PPR are backing Empower Pickleball
👦 The 7-year-old who sparked a junior pickleball movement
🖤 Limited-edition looks made for the court (and after)

🦶Your Game Starts at Your Feet

BRING THIS TO THE COURT: You can’t play your best game if your feet are begging for mercy. Before you blame your paddle, take a closer look at what’s happening below the ankles.

• Start with the sole. Running shoes might feel great for a jog, but they’ll betray you on the court. Look for true court shoes—durable, non-marking rubber soles with lateral traction made for side-to-side movement.

• Support matters. Flat feet need firm midsoles, high arches need cushion, and everyone needs stability. If your shoes don’t match your arch type, your knees and hips will let you know fast.

• Give your toes space. A roomy toe box keeps your balance and comfort in check. Cramped toes kill agility (and your mood).

• Let them breathe. Choose mesh uppers that ventilate without tearing apart mid-match. Less sweat = fewer blisters = more games.

The right shoes won’t win you every point, but they’ll keep you moving long enough to earn them.

👉 Learn how to find the best fit for your feet and your game.

👟 For Players Who Never Say No to One More Game

If you’re squeezing in every rally you can, VKTRY insoles are built for the way you play. Made with carbon fiber tech (yes, the aerospace kind), they help absorb impact, return energy, and reduce joint stress—so you can stay out there longer without feeling wrecked after. No slipping, no shifting, just support that actually holds up.

👉 Get 20% off your first pair by clicking here.

🧠 Your New Favorite Way to Actually Learn Pickleball

While Elon Musk is busy teaching AI to explain black holes, pickleball players just want reliable tips that make sense. Picklepedia is a community-built, ad-free hub full of drills, guides, and progress tools created by real players who actually know what works.

It’s part of a bigger shift in how we learn the game. Players are moving away from clickbait tutorials and toward trusted, player-driven resources. We’re here for it—because when learning feels real and accessible, everyone gets better.

👉 Discover why Picklepedia might just change how you learn the game.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

First USA Pickleball Nationals

Contributed by Jennifer Lucore, Pickleball Hall of Famer and historian — author of History of Pickleball — More Than 50 Years of Fun! • Visit allpickleball.com 

💛 Brands Making a Difference in Pickleball

As we head into the holiday season, we’re spotlighting the companies using pickleball as a platform for good. Across the industry, brands are finding creative ways to give back—whether that’s donating paddles to schools, supporting adaptive athletes, or funding community programs that make the game more accessible.

Selkirk Sport’s Growth Program is helping players of all ages get on the court by supplying gently used equipment to nonprofits and schools. Meanwhile, Engage Pickleball continues to tie its limited-edition paddles to meaningful causes, from veterans’ support to cancer research.

At Empower Pickleball, we love supporting brands that turn passion into purpose—and who prove that growing the game starts with growing the community around it.

👉 See how pickleball companies are using their reach to make a real impact.

🧩 Why Pickleball Makes More Sense Than Ever

Some call it a passing trend. We call it common sense. Pickleball’s growth isn’t slowing—it’s multiplying. Participation in the U.S. has climbed over 220% since 2020, and the sport’s now thriving across Asia, Europe, and beyond. What started in backyards has become global infrastructure, reshaping how communities move, connect, and play.

It’s simple math and simple humanity: affordable, social, and accessible to nearly everyone. The courts keep filling up because people aren’t chasing a fad—they’re finding each other.

👉 Read why pickleball’s rise is here to stay.

Every week, our newsletter lands in inboxes of players who live and breathe pickleball. They come to us for the latest news, gear, drills, and stories that celebrate the people behind the sport.

Does your brand believe in growing the game and supporting the people who play it? Let’s make something happen.