College Pickleball Enters New Growth Phase with Joola as Title Sponsor

As pickleball enters the next chapter of the sport, one of the main goals is to create a strong college campus infrastructure.

DUPR and the UPA kicked off the College Pickleball Tour last year, and momentum is going strong to start 2026 as it names JOOLA as the Title Sponsor.

As part of the agreement, The College Pickleball Tour will be powered by JOOLA, with JOOLA supporting events nationwide and continuing to invest in the development of competitive opportunities for student-athletes, including the tour’s flagship event, The Nationals. 

DUPR will remain the official rating and data platform for college play, providing athletes with a consistent way to track progress and compete within the broader pickleball ecosystem.

“College pickleball is one of the fastest-growing segments of the sport, and it plays a critical role in shaping the next generation of competitive players,” said Timber Tucker, College Relationship Manager at JOOLA Pickleball. “By expanding our partnership with DUPR and serving as title sponsor of The College Pickleball Tour, we’re doubling down on our commitment to building a strong college pathway.”

While JOOLA is new as the title sponsor, they had already been working closely with DUPR to support players, clubs, leagues, and emerging pathways across the sport.

“JOOLA has been a partner to DUPR since day one, and they’ve consistently invested in the long-term growth of pickleball,” said Tito Machado, CEO of DUPR. “Together, we’re focused on giving college athletes meaningful competition, clear progression through ratings, and a pathway that connects college play to the broader competitive landscape.”

This partnership will give JOOLA the spotlight as it continues to play a central role in developing the college pathway, supporting student-athletes, teams, and events while helping bridge the gap between college pickleball and higher levels of competition.