If there's one state that deserves the title of America's pickleball capital, it's Florida. The Sunshine State isn't just where pickleball took root on the US mainland — it's where the sport exploded. Naples, Florida is where pickleball was first popularized in the US in the 1990s, and the state has been leading the pack ever since.
Based on our tournament database, Florida has hosted nearly 800 pickleball tournaments across more than 80 cities — more than any other state in the country. From the US Open Pickleball Championships in Naples to PPA Tour stops in Cape Coral and Holly Hill, Florida is where the biggest events happen and where the most competitive players converge.
Here's everything you need to know about pickleball tournaments in Florida heading into 2026.
Florida's Top Pickleball Tournament Cities
Florida's tournament scene stretches from the Panhandle to the Keys. Here's where the most action happens:
| Rank | City | Tournaments | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tampa | 54 | Tampa Bay |
| 2 | Orlando | 47 | Central Florida |
| 3 | Holly Hill | 32 | Daytona Beach Area |
| 4 | Orange Park | 31 | Northeast Florida |
| 5 | Punta Gorda | 29 | Southwest Florida |
| 6 | Bradenton | 23 | Tampa Bay |
| 7 | Pensacola | 23 | Panhandle |
| 8 | Gainesville | 22 | North Central Florida |
| 9 | Port St. Lucie | 21 | Treasure Coast |
| 10 | Boca Raton | 19 | Southeast Florida |
🏆 Tampa is Florida's pickleball tournament capital with more than 50 events — followed closely by Orlando. Together, these two Central Florida metro areas account for over 100 tournaments. But Florida's scene runs deep: even cities outside the top 10 like Jacksonville, Cape Coral, Miami, and Naples host dozens of events each.
A few things stand out from the data:
- Tampa Bay leads the way. Tampa and Bradenton combine for nearly 80 tournaments, making the Tampa Bay area Florida's densest tournament region.
- Holly Hill is a pickleball powerhouse. This small city near Daytona Beach is home to Pictona at Holly Hill — one of the largest dedicated pickleball facilities in the world with 49 courts. It hosts PPA Tour stops, the US Senior Pickleball National Championships, and dozens of other events annually.
- Southwest Florida is the winter capital. Punta Gorda, Cape Coral, Naples, Bonita Springs, and Fort Myers form a corridor of winter pickleball that draws snowbirds from across the country.
- The Panhandle shows up. Pensacola proves that tournament pickleball isn't just a South Florida phenomenon — the Panhandle has a thriving scene of its own.
- Every region competes. Unlike states where tournaments cluster in one metro, Florida's events span the entire state — from Fernandina Beach in the northeast to Marco Island in the southwest.
🔍 Browse all Florida tournaments on Tournament Pickle →
When Do Florida Tournaments Happen?
Florida's biggest advantage is year-round tournament play — but the seasonal pattern here is the opposite of most northern states. While New York and Illinois shut down in winter, Florida heats up:
Monthly distribution of Florida pickleball tournaments (orange = snowbird season)
| Season | Months | Tournaments | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ❄️ Winter | Dec – Feb | 235 | Peak season — snowbirds arrive, tournaments surge |
| 🌸 Spring | Mar – May | 228 | March is the single busiest month (95 events) |
| 🍂 Fall | Sep – Nov | 199 | October kicks off the season with 80 events |
| ☀️ Summer | Jun – Aug | 120 | Slowest period — heat/humidity, but tournaments continue |
Weather Tips for Traveling Players
- Snowbird season (Nov–Mar): This is Florida's prime time. Temperatures in Southwest Florida hover around 75–80°F with low humidity. Naples, Punta Gorda, and Cape Coral are packed with events and visiting players. Book accommodations early.
- March madness: March is the busiest month with nearly 100 tournaments. The US Open in Naples (April) is just around the corner, and the entire state buzzes with competitive energy.
- October surge: The fall season kicks off strong as temperatures cool from summer extremes. October is the third-busiest month — great weather statewide.
- Summer play: June through August slows significantly. Heat indexes can reach 100°F+, and afternoon thunderstorms are daily. Indoor venues and early-morning events keep the scene alive.
Florida's Most Popular Pickleball Tournaments
Based on registration data in our tournament database, these are the Florida tournaments that draw the biggest fields:
| Tournament | City | Registrations | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minto US Open Pickleball Championships | Naples | 3,000+ | US Open |
| PPA Tour: Daytona Beach Open | Holly Hill | 1,400+ | PPA Tour |
| PPA Tour: Veolia Cape Coral Open | Cape Coral | 1,300+ | PPA Tour |
| APP Fort Lauderdale Open (Golden Ticket) | Fort Lauderdale | 1,100+ | APP Tour |
| Chase APP Miami Pickleball Open | Miami Beach | 1,100+ | APP Tour |
| APP Tour: Punta Gorda | Punta Gorda | 1,100+ | APP Tour |
| PPA Tour: Veolia Lakeland Open | Lakeland | 1,000+ | PPA Tour |
| Naples Pickleball Center Championship | Naples | 950+ | Community |
🏆 The Minto US Open Pickleball Championships in Naples is the crown jewel — not just of Florida, but of the entire sport. With over 3,000 registrations, it's one of the largest pickleball tournaments in America. Held every April at the East Naples Community Park, it draws players from all 50 states and over 30 countries.
Florida is a marquee destination for both the PPA Tour and APP Tour, with multiple stops each season. The state also hosts USA Pickleball national-level events, including the US Senior Pickleball National Championships at Pictona. These multi-day events typically feature divisions from 3.0 through pro-level play, with age brackets from juniors to 80+.
Florida's Premier Pickleball Destinations
Several Florida cities have become true pilgrimage sites for competitive pickleball players:
- Naples — The birthplace of American pickleball. Home to the US Open Pickleball Championships and the Naples Pickleball Center, which hosts major community events year-round. East Naples Community Park has 64 dedicated courts.
- Holly Hill / Daytona Beach — Home to Pictona at Holly Hill, a 15-acre campus with 49 courts that has become one of the sport's most important venues. It hosts PPA Tour stops, the Senior Nationals, and the former USA Pickleball Diamond Amateur Championship.
- Cape Coral / Fort Myers — Southwest Florida's tournament corridor, featuring regular PPA Tour stops. The winter months transform this area into a pickleball hotspot as snowbirds arrive.
- Punta Gorda — Home to 29 tournaments and counting, this Charlotte County city punches well above its weight with dedicated facilities and a passionate local scene.
- Tampa / Bradenton — The Tampa Bay region leads Florida in total tournament volume. Multiple venues across the metro host events ranging from local community tournaments to large-scale competitive events.
- Fort Lauderdale / Boca Raton — Southeast Florida's tournament hub, featuring APP Tour stops (including Golden Ticket events) and a dense concentration of club-level tournaments.
- Pensacola — The Panhandle's pickleball capital with 23 tournaments. Portside Pickle and other venues have built a thriving tournament scene in Florida's northwestern corner.
Upcoming Florida Pickleball Tournaments in 2026
Here's a snapshot of what's coming up on the Florida tournament calendar:
| Date | Tournament | City |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 31 – Feb 1 | NP Punta Gorda Winter Classic | Punta Gorda |
| Jan 31 – Feb 1 | Proton National Tour – Cash Prize Tournament | Holly Hill |
| Feb 1–2 | Marco Island Winter Classic | Marco Island |
| Feb 4–8 | Portside Pickle Winter Slam | Pensacola |
| Feb 9–15 | PPA Tour: Zimmer Biomet Cape Coral Open ⭐ | Cape Coral |
| Feb 13–16 | 6th Annual Pickleball for Sea Turtles | Port St. Joe |
| Feb 20–22 | World Pickleball Tour: Punta Gorda Picklefest | Punta Gorda |
| Feb 21–22 | 2nd Annual Southwest Florida Open | Bonita Springs |
This is just a fraction of what's scheduled. The PPA Tour's Cape Coral Open already has over 1,000 registrations — a sign of how massive Florida's 2026 tournament season is shaping up to be. New tournaments are added regularly as organizers finalize their calendars.
🔍 See the full, up-to-date Florida tournament list on Tournament Pickle →
What Skill Levels Can Play?
Florida tournaments cater to every skill level. Most events offer brackets from 3.0 all the way up to 5.0+ and professional divisions. Here's what to expect:
| DUPR Range | Skill Level | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0–3.0 | Beginner | Fun, social atmosphere. Great for first tournaments. |
| 3.0–3.5 | Intermediate | Most popular bracket. Expect solid rallies and strategy. |
| 3.5–4.0 | Advanced Intermediate | Competitive play with consistent third-shot drops and dinks. |
| 4.0–4.5 | Advanced | High-level play. You'll need a solid all-around game. |
| 4.5–5.0+ | Expert / Pro | Elite competition. PPA/APP tour-level play. |
Not sure where you stand? Check out our complete guide to DUPR ratings to understand how the rating system works and what percentile you fall in.
What Makes Florida the Pickleball Capital?
Florida's dominance in pickleball isn't an accident. Several factors combine to make it the #1 state for competitive pickleball:
- Historical roots. Pickleball was invented on Bainbridge Island, Washington in 1965 — but it was Naples, Florida where the sport first gained a mass following on the mainland in the 1990s. The state's large retiree communities embraced pickleball early, and that head start never stopped compounding.
- Year-round warm weather. While northern states lose 3–5 months of outdoor play to winter, Florida's climate supports tournaments 365 days a year. Even summer events work with early start times and indoor facilities.
- Snowbird effect. Every winter, millions of northerners migrate to Florida — and many of them bring their paddles. This annual population influx creates a surge in players, events, and competition that no other state can replicate.
- World-class facilities. From Pictona's 49-court campus in Holly Hill to East Naples Community Park's 64 courts, Florida has invested heavily in dedicated pickleball infrastructure. These aren't converted tennis courts — they're purpose-built for the sport.
- Pro-tour magnet. Both the PPA Tour and APP Tour make multiple Florida stops each season. Major national events like the US Open and US Senior Nationals call Florida home. When the biggest events happen here, the best players follow.
- The biggest player base. Florida has one of the highest concentrations of pickleball players per capita in the country. That means deeper brackets, tougher competition, and a community that lives and breathes the sport.
Florida vs. California: The Two Pickleball Superpowers
Florida and California are the two undisputed leaders in American pickleball, but their tournament scenes have distinct personalities:
| 🌴 Florida | ☀️ California | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Tournaments | Nearly 800 | Over 700 |
| Peak Season | Winter (snowbird season) | Spring (May is peak) |
| #1 City | Tampa (54) | Newport Beach (66) |
| Signature Event | US Open (Naples) | PPA Tour stops |
| Slow Season | Summer (heat/humidity) | Winter (rain in NorCal) |
| Vibe | Retiree-driven, community-first | Diverse age range, innovation hub |
Both states offer world-class tournament experiences. If you're planning a pickleball trip, Florida's snowbird season (November–March) and California's spring season (March–May) are the sweet spots. Check out our complete California guide for the West Coast perspective.
How to Find and Register for Florida Tournaments
Ready to compete in the Sunshine State? Here's how to get started:
- Browse tournaments — Use Tournament Pickle's search to find upcoming Florida events filtered by date, city, and skill level.
- Check the registration platform — Most Florida tournaments register through utrsports.net (UTR Sports) or pickleballtournaments.com (Pickleball Brackets). We'll link you directly to the right page.
- Get your DUPR rating — While not always required, having a DUPR rating helps you enter the right bracket and have better matches.
- Register early — Florida tournaments fill up fast, especially during snowbird season. The US Open and PPA Tour events can sell out weeks in advance. Set calendar reminders for registration opening dates.
- Plan for weather — Winter events are ideal weather-wise. Summer events may start early to beat the afternoon heat and storms. Indoor venues are available year-round.
- Find a partner — Many tournaments offer "need a partner" options during registration. Florida's massive player community makes it easier to find doubles partners than almost anywhere else.
🏓 Find Your Next Florida Tournament
Search hundreds of pickleball tournaments across the Sunshine State and register today.
Browse Florida Tournaments📋 About This Data
This analysis is based on our tournament database at Tournament Pickle, which tracks pickleball tournaments across multiple platforms including utrsports.net and pickleballtournaments.com. Tournament counts, city data, and registration numbers reflect all tracked Florida events as of February 2026. For more on how pickleball states compare, see our US states analysis.