Powerball Lands PPA Deal, Rebrands Series as Powerball Pickleball State Championship Series

Powerball will be the title sponsor of the Professional Pickleball Association’s Pickleball State Championship Series, rebranding the national amateur circuit as the Powerball Pickleball State Championship Series and slating the main Worlds venue as the Powerball Championship Court. The move layers a major consumer brand onto the grassroots ladder that feeds state champions into the Pickleball World Championships.

PPA Founder and CEO Connor Pardoe framed the deal as a boost for local competition, saying, “This partnership with Powerball manifests critical investment in elemental pickleball across America and is a milestone for local, amateur pickleball in every state.” Pardoe added that the sport’s foundation in community and grassroots play makes the new series central to keeping that spirit intact.

Organizers and coverage of the announcement describe the series as spanning all 50 states, with either 55 tournaments or “more than 55” events reported; some states will host multiple tournaments. The series is designed to give amateur players across ages and skill levels the chance to compete for a state title. Gold medalists who win a State Champion title through the series will automatically qualify into the State Champion brackets at the Pickleball World Championships, which are held annually in early November.

Powerball framed the partnership as community-focused. Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO, said, “For more than three decades, Powerball has inspired people to dream big and imagine what’s possible. Through the Powerball Pickleball State Championship Series, we’re proud to bring that same spirit of opportunity to athletes across the country, giving them a chance to chase their own championship dreams.” The press announcement also emphasized a shared commitment to fostering community engagement and promoting active lifestyles through what is described as America’s fastest growing sport.

The sponsorship includes naming rights for the Championship Court at the Pickleball World Championships; the agreement explicitly ties the Powerball Championship Court name to the 2026 Worlds. PPA worked with PIVOT Agency, its sponsorship sales agency of record, in developing the partnership. Beyond titles and signage, Powerball’s language emphasizes showcasing and rewarding tournament directors and players, though specific activation plans and financial terms were not disclosed.

For players and tournament directors, the deal offers clearer pathways and higher visibility. State-level directors gain a national branding platform, while amateur competitors get an explicit route to Worlds competition through state champion qualification. Community metrics published alongside coverage of the announcement underline the scale of grassroots play: millions of matches and thousands of tournaments and clubs are already active, reinforcing why a national title sponsor matters now.

What this means for local scenes is practical: expect refreshed event branding, stronger incentives for organizers, and more attention on State Champion brackets as a route into Worlds. Next steps to watch include confirmation of the exact tournament count and schedule, activation details from Powerball and the PPA, and how tournament directors will capitalize on the new branding to grow participation and youth development.