BRAVO
TO THE
BRITS!
The English OPEN in Birmingham, England, was not just a pickleball tournament, it was a global event. Players around the world descended on Birmingham’ s National Exhibition Centre for the biggest English OPEN yet, turning six days of competition into a showcase for the rapid growth and international appeal of pickleball.
by ALICE TYM photos by PAUL CURRIE
From August 11-16, more than 3,400 players from 56 countries descended on Birmingham’ s National Exhibition Centre( NEC) for the 2026 English OPEN, the world’ s largest indoor pickleball tournament and the biggest yet in the event’ s history. With 62 courts spread across three halls, the six-day competition brought together players from around the globe for a landmark week in the sport.
The decision to move the English OPEN to Birmingham( nicknamed“ Brum” by the natives) was central to that growth. The NEC offered the space required to accommodate an event that has outgrown traditional tournament venues. Three halls were transformed into a dedicated pickleball complex, complete with professional playing surfaces, wide walkways and spectator
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BIRMINGHAM( BRUM)
OPEN TRIPLE CROWN CHAMPION: MARCELLO JARDIM.
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