Carvana and PPA Tour Launch Driving Pickleball Forward Award with $35,000 Credit

Carvana and the PPA Tour launched the Driving Pickleball Forward Award on January 28, 2026, creating a new avenue to recognize people who grow pickleball through creativity, community-building, and inclusive initiatives. The top prize is a $35,000 credit toward a Carvana vehicle purchase and a three-day trip to San Clemente, CA to attend the PPA Finals where the recipient will be publicly recognized.

Submissions are open now for both self-nominations and third-party nominations, with a deadline of April 12, 2026. A joint panel made up of representatives from the PPA Tour and Carvana will review entries. Finalists will be selected based on impact, originality, and contribution to pickleball; a fan vote will count as one vote among the judges, giving local communities a direct way to influence the outcome.

For local organizers, coaches, volunteer directors, and creatives who run clinics, court builds, junior programs, adaptive play sessions, or promotional projects, this award offers practical value beyond the headline number. The $35,000 vehicle credit can reduce barriers to transportation for organizers who need to haul equipment, reach remote courts, or expand outreach across towns and school districts. Visibility at the PPA Finals gives winners a platform to showcase successful models and attract partners, sponsors, or grants.

The selection criteria make clear what to emphasize in nominations. Highlight measurable impact such as program enrollment numbers, court access expanded, populations served, or repeat events launched. Describe originality through inventive formats, partnerships with schools or recreation departments, or creative promotion that drove new players to the game. Document contribution to inclusivity by detailing adaptive programs, sliding-scale fees, language access, or targeted outreach to underrepresented groups.

The inclusion of a fan vote means clubs and local circuits can mobilize players and supporters. Rallying a network for the fan vote could be as simple as sharing nomination links through club email lists, social media groups, and local meetup threads. Because the fan vote counts as one judge vote, grassroots campaigning matters but must be paired with concrete evidence of impact for the judges' panel.

Carvana and the PPA Tour framed the award as a celebration of grassroots leaders, organizers, and creative contributors who materially grow access and enthusiasm for pickleball. For community members, the immediate step is clear: identify strong candidates, assemble clear documentation of impact and originality, and submit nominations by April 12, 2026. Winning the Driving Pickleball Forward Award could deliver both resources and recognition that help scale local programs and accelerate court-side growth across regions.