Powerball Named Title Sponsor of PPA 55+ State Championship Series

Powerball has signed on as the title sponsor of the Professional Pickleball Association’s Pickleball State Championship Series, the PPA announced following a Dallas release. The series will be officially known as the Powerball Pickleball State Championship Series and is positioned as a nationwide, grassroots pathway from local tournaments to the Pickleball World Championships.

PPA material says the Powerball Pickleball State Championship Series will feature 55 tournaments across all 50 states, though promotional posts and some release copy describe the schedule as "55+ tournaments" or "more than 55 tournaments." The PPA and Powerball have not published a state-by-state schedule in the announcement, so players and tournament directors should check PPA channels for the definitive tournament list and dates.

The sponsorship links state titles directly to the World Championships. Players who earn the title of State Champion at these events will automatically qualify for the State Champion brackets at the Pickleball World Championships, which organizers say will be held in early November. As part of the agreement, the Championship Court at the 2026 Pickleball World Championships will be known as the Powerball Championship Court, further tying the grassroots circuit to the sport’s marquee event.

PPA Tour founder and CEO Connor Pardoe framed the deal as a boost for local play and the community backbone of pickleball. Pardoe said, "This partnership with Powerball manifests critical investment in elemental pickleball across America and is a milestone for local, amateur pickleball in every state," adding that "This sport is built on a strong foundation of community, grassroots play and the Powerball Pickleball State Championship series is central in keeping true to that spirit."

Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO Matt Strawn framed the sponsorship in terms of opportunity and local impact. He said, "For more than three decades, Powerball has inspired people to dream big and imagine what’s possible," and added, "Throughout 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."

PPA language highlights community benefits and local recognition: "Powerball’s title sponsorship of the Pickleball State Championship Series aligns with its commitment to supporting local services and programs everywhere the game is sold," and the release states the series "will continue to grow and amplify the sport of pickleball by showcasing and rewarding the very best pickleball tournament directors and players in the country." PIVOT Agency served as the sponsorship sales agency of record and assisted in developing the partnership.

From a funding perspective, Powerball reiterated that a $2 ticket funds local causes: "More than half of all proceeds from a $2 Powerball ticket stay in the jurisdiction where it was sold to fund good causes, ranging from education to support for veterans." The release also notes that since its 1992 inception, Powerball has generated more than $38 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.

For players, directors and local clubs, the practical value is clear: state-level events now carry a branded national pathway to the World Championships and added visibility for directors who stage strong tournaments. Verify the final tournament count and state schedule on PPA announcements and watch for event listings and registration details ahead of the early November World Championships, where the Powerball Championship Court will put state champions center stage.