Pickleball convention eyes record turnout in West Palm Beach

The 2026 World Pickleball Convention & Conference is set for Oct. 16-18 at the Palm Beach Convention Center, with organizers projecting the biggest attendance in pickleball event history. The show will debut new tech, host the National Pickleball Championships on the expo floor and feature more than 50 speakers, pro clinics and brand showcases.

Why it matters: - The 2026 World Pickleball Convention & Conference is positioned to be a marquee moment for a sport that keeps expanding into mainstream consumer and business markets. - The event brings together competition, equipment launches, retail, fashion and education in one place, giving brands and players a high-visibility platform. - Palm Beach continues to benefit as a sports tourism hub, with the convention reinforcing the region's role in attracting major events.

What happened: - The convention is scheduled for Oct. 16-18 at the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach. - Organizers project attendance will surpass every previous pickleball event. - The convention is in its sixth year and its third straight year in West Palm Beach. - The Palm Beach Convention Center has added security staffing, upgraded crowd flow systems and more on-site safety personnel. - Major brands tied to the event include Humana, American Express, Pepsi, Mission 1o2 and 2.AG. - George Domaceti, president and CEO of the World Pickleball Convention, said the event stayed in Palm Beach because the area is one of the largest pickleball hubs in the world and because of the Palm Beach Sports Commission's continued efforts.

The details: - The expo floor will feature hundreds of pickleball products. - The event will debut the world's first pickleball-playing AI robot, built to rally, react and support next-generation training. - The convention will also debut a personal digital display auto scoreboard that tracks points, faults and match data automatically. - Steve Bellamy, founder of the Tennis Channel, will demonstrate TYPTI, a new racquet sport, with live demonstrations and hands-on play for attendees, club owners and players. - Prince and OLO will support TYPTI by providing paddles and equipment. - The National Pickleball Championships will be played on the expo floor for the first time. - Three other tournaments are also planned, including Paddle Battle of the Branches, a military veterans' event with teams from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. - Indoor open play will be available on the same courts used by professionals when championship matches are not underway. - Fashion Fusion's Model Pickleball will stage a daily runway event highlighting activewear, with items available for purchase. - Holiday-season deals on paddles, equipment and accessories will be offered throughout the expo. - The Palm Beach Royals, a Major League Pro Pickleball team, will hold an exhibition match, free clinics, skill sessions and meet-and-greets. - The conference will feature more than 50 speakers. - Humana's Dr. Tamara Smith will deliver the opening keynote. - Other speakers include Melissa McCurley, Hall of Famer known as the First Lady of Pickleball; James Ignatowich, a top-5 pro player and founder of RPM Paddles; and Nicole Smith of Pickleball Central, who will discuss retail readiness and getting major retailers to carry products.

Between the lines: - The convention is evolving beyond a niche sports expo into a broader business and lifestyle event. - The mix of new technology, elite competition and consumer-facing activations suggests pickleball is becoming a more commercialized and sponsor-driven industry. - The addition of national championships on the expo floor is designed to increase spectator access and create a stronger live event atmosphere.

What's next: - Organizers will bring together executives, coaches, players, fans, newcomers and social influencers when the event opens in October. - Attendees will see whether the projected crowd growth, product launches and championship formats deliver on the convention's largest-scale ambitions yet. - The event will serve as an early signal for how pickleball brands, tournament operators and venues may package the sport going forward.