Pickleball is a sport that has been gaining popularity in recent years, with participation skyrocketing from 5 million players in 2021 to over 36.5 million in 2022. The sport is quickly becoming a fan favorite, with some people saying that watching pickleball live is more entertaining than watching tennis. In 2023, pickleball fans and newcomers will have plenty of options to watch the sport on live TV, thanks to several new television contracts with big networks such as ESPN, CBS, and ABC.

Association of Pickleball Professionals Tour

The APP Tour is the first and only tour officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball. The 2023 APP Tour features 16 events plus an International and Collegiate Series and its Next Gen Series, which aims to develop young players. CBS Sports Network and ESPN2 will feature a combined 20 hours of pickleball coverage, including all 16 of the 2023 APP Tour events. CBS Sports Network will broadcast 12 hours of highlights and pickleball live matches, while ESPN2 will have eight hours of event recaps. In addition, ESPN+ and APP TV will provide over 200 hours of livestream coverage, with replays available on APP TV.

Carvana Professional Pickleball Association Tour

The PPA is a professional pickleball tour that features some of the top pickleball players in the sport. The PPA has pickleball live broadcast partnerships with FOX, CBS, Tennis Channel, ABC, ESPN, Prime Video, YouTube, and Fanduel. There will be 25 live tournaments in 2023, more than 4,500 on-demand matches, and over 1,500 hours of pickleball content across the various PPA platforms. FOX, CBS, and ABC are available free over the air and, along with Tennis Channel and ESPN, on most major cable and streaming services. Prime Video is a streaming service available to Amazon Prime subscribers, while Fanduel is a popular sports-betting site.

Major League Pickleball Tour

The Major League Pickleball Tour distinguishes itself from the other professional leagues with a format that features co-ed team competitions. Many of the league’s 24 teams have high-profile celebrity owners, and the league recently announced a unique format for 2023. The 2023 season will have six events split into two seasons of three events each. Half the teams will play at the MLP Premier Level, and the other half will play at the MLP Challenger Level in the first season. The teams will then switch levels and redraft for the second season. Tennis Channel, which aired the draft for the first season on December 15, 2022, will broadcast and stream some of the MLP events in 2023.

Minto US Open Pickleball Championships

The US Open Pickleball Championships bills itself as the world’s largest pickleball tournament combined with the world’s largest pickleball party. The 2023 US Open will take place April 15-22 in Naples Florida, and CBS Sports Network will broadcast pickleball live for the women’s and men’s pro finals. You can also find coverage of the event on the Pickleball Channel on YouTube.

Pickleball Slam

The first Pickleball Slam will take place on April 2, 2023, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. ESPN will broadcast coverage of a celebrity showdown between tennis greats Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, John McEnroe, and Michael Chang. Roddick will take on Chang in the first match, while Agassi will square off against McEnroe in the second. The slam will conclude with a doubles match featuring McEnroe and Agassi taking on Roddick and Chang. The event aims to bring together two sports legends from different disciplines to showcase the fast-paced, exciting game of pickleball. Fans are eagerly anticipating the event, with tickets selling out within hours of release. The Pickleball Slam is set to be an unforgettable night of competition, entertainment, and pickleball fandom.

Selkirk TV

Selkirk is the first and only free pickleball TV app. The app features pickleball live streams, pro lessons, past tournaments, podcasts, and on-demand shows. You can download the app on Google Play and the Apple App Store. It is also available on Apple TV, Android TV, and ROKU and will be coming to Amazon’s Fire TV.

Paramount Plus

Stephen Colbert hosted a celebrity pickleball tournament that aired on Paramount+ on November 17, 2022. The two-hour special features eight celebrity teams competing to benefit Comic Relief.
Celebrity competitors include Dierks Bentley, Phil Keoghan, Daniel Dae Kim, Luis Guzman, Max Greenfield, Jimmie Allen, Emma Watson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Aisha Tyler, Jaime Camil, Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Tig Notaro, Murray Bartlett, Kelly Rowland, and a mystery guest. Paramount+ subscribers can watch the special on-demand.

When To Watch Pickleball Live

Pickleball fans have plenty of opportunities to catch their favorite sport live in 2023, with a range of tournaments and events being broadcast on various television networks.

2023 APP Tour Television Schedule 

All 16 of the APP tour stops will be broadcast.

Date Tournament Time (ET) Network
Sunday, Jan. 15 Punta Gorda, FL 4:30-6:30 p.m. CBS Sports Network
Sunday, Feb. 12 Daytona Beach, FL 8:00-9:00 p.m. ESPN2
Monday, March 20 San Diego, CA 9:00-10:00 a.m. CBS Sports Network
Monday, April 3 Mesa, AZ 9:00-10:00 p.m. CBS Sports Network
Sunday, April 30 Sacramento, CA 7:00-9:00 p.m. CBS Sports Network
Sunday, May 14 Cincinnati, OH 12:00-2:00 p.m.
(LIVE)
CBS Sports Network
Monday, May 29 New York City, NY 7:00-8:00 p.m. ESPN2
Monday, June 26 San Jose, CA 7:00-8:00 p.m. CBS Sports Network
TBD Newport Beach, CA TBD ESPN2
TBD Philadelphia, PA TBD ESPN2
Tuesday, Sept. 5 Chicago, IL 9:00-10:00 p.m. ESPN2
Monday, Sept. 11 Avalon, NJ 8:00-9:00 p.m. CBS Sports Network
Sunday, Oct. 1 Atlanta, GA 12:00-2:00 p.m.
(LIVE)
CBS Sports Network
Sunday, Oct. 8 Dallas, TX 8:30-9:30 p.m. ESPN2
Sunday, Oct. 29 Hilton Head, SC 12:00-2:00 p.m.
(LIVE)
CBS Sports Network
TBD Houston, TX TBD ESPN2

2023 Carvana PPA Tour Television Schedule

You can watch all of the pickleball live PPA Tour events on PPA TV.

Date Tournament Event Start Time End Time Time Channel
2/2/2023 JW Marriott Desert Ridge Open M/W Singles 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. MST PPA TV
2/3/2023 JW Marriott Desert Ridge Open Mixed Doubles 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. MST PPA TV
2/4/2023 JW Marriott Desert Ridge Open M/W Doubles 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. MST PPA TV
2/5/2023 JW Marriott Desert Ridge Open Champ Sunday 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. MST PPA TV
2/16/2023 Carvana Arizona Grand Slam M/W Singles 11:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. MST PPA TV
2/17/2023 Carvana Arizona Grand Slam Mixed Doubles 11:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. MST PPA TV
2/18/2023 Carvana Arizona Grand Slam M/W Doubles 11:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. MST PPA TV
2/19/2023 Carvana Arizona Grand Slam Champ Sunday 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. MST PPA TV
2/23/2023 Indoor National Championships M/W Singles 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. CT PPA TV
2/24/2023 Indoor National Championships Mixed Doubles 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. CT PPA TV
2/25/2023 Indoor National Championships M/W Doubles 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. CT PPA TV
2/26/2023 Indoor National Championships Champ Sunday 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. CT PPA TV
3/9/2023 Florida Open M/W Singles 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. EST PPA TV
3/10/2023 Florida Open Mixed Doubles 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. EST PPA TV
3/11/2023 Florida Open M/W Doubles 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. EST PPA TV
3/12/2023 Florida Open Champ Sunday 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. EST PPA TV
4/5/2023 Selkirk Red Rock Open M/W Singles 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. MST PPA TV
4/6/2023 Selkirk Red Rock Open Mixed Doubles 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. MST PPA TV
4/7/2023 Selkirk Red Rock Open M/W Doubles 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. MST PPA TV
4/8/2023 Selkirk Red Rock Open Champ Sunday 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. MST PPA TV

 

Selkirk TV: The First Free Pickleball TV App

For fans who prefer to stream pickleball on their devices, the Selkirk TV app is the perfect option. Available for free on Google Play and the Apple App Store, Selkirk TV offers live streams of pickleball games, pro lessons, past tournaments, podcasts, and on-demand shows. The app is also available on Apple TV, Android TV, and ROKU, with plans to launch on Amazon’s Fire TV in the near future.

Paramount Plus: Celebrity Pickleball Tournament

Paramount Plus is set to air a celebrity pickleball tournament hosted by Stephen Colbert on November 17, 2022. The two-hour special will feature eight celebrity teams competing to benefit Comic Relief. The star-studded lineup includes Dierks Bentley, Phil Keoghan, Daniel Dae Kim, Luis Guzman, Max Greenfield, Jimmie Allen, Emma Watson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Aisha Tyler, Jaime Camil, Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Tig Notaro, Murray Bartlett, Kelly Rowland, and a mystery guest. Paramount+ subscribers can watch the special on-demand.

Major League Pickleball Tour

Pickleball enthusiasts can look forward to the Major League Pickleball Tour, with broadcast coverage of the finals and semi-finals on Tennis Channel. While the tournament in Mesa, AZ, was broadcasted on Jan 26-29, the MLP is finalizing broadcast agreements for additional tournaments. There are five more tournaments on the 2023 MLP schedule, with the next one taking place on March 23-26 in Dayton Beach, FL. The remaining tournaments are scheduled for June 15-18 in San Clemente, CA, September 21-24 in Peachtree Corners, GA, November 2-5 in La Quinta, CA, and December 7-10 in San Clemente, CA. The Peachtree Corners event marks the beginning of season two.

Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Television Schedule

The Minto US Open Pickleball Championships will take place in April 2023, with CBS Sports Network broadcasting the men’s and women’s pro finals live from 5:00-7:00 p.m. EST on April 22.

Pickleball Slam

The first-ever Pickleball Slam will be held on April 2, 2023, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. ESPN will broadcast coverage of a celebrity showdown between tennis greats Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, John McEnroe, and Michael Chang. The slam will consist of a doubles match featuring McEnroe and a yet-to-be-announced partner. The event will also be held at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino locations throughout the country, with organizers yet to announce the locations, times, and planned television coverage for future events.

Other Tournaments and Events

Apart from these major tournaments, there will be plenty of other opportunities to watch pickleball live in 2023. The USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) will host a range of events throughout the year, including the Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships in November. The APP Tour will also hold a series of events across the country, with their schedule yet to be announced.

What Makes Pickleball a Unique and Exciting Sport to Watch?

Pickleball is a popular recreational sport that has been growing in popularity over the years. While it is a fun and easy game to play, it is also an exciting sport to watch. Here are some of the reasons why pickleball is an enjoyable sport to watch.

Fast-Paced and Action-Packed Games

One of the most exciting aspects of pickleball is that it is a fast-paced game with plenty of action. A pickleball match is typically played to 11 points, which makes it much shorter than other professional sports, such as tennis or basketball. The shorter games make it easier to keep up with the action and keep things interesting for viewers.

Variety of Formats

Pickleball tournaments come in different formats, which provides fans with a variety of viewing options. For example, most tournaments follow a similar format to tennis, where players compete as individuals. However, the Major League Pickleball Tour (MLP) is a team sport featuring 24 teams, each comprised of two men and two women. The teams are located in cities across the country, which means that fans can root for their favorite local team.

The Festival Atmosphere

Another reason why pickleball is an exciting sport to watch is that it has a fun and festive atmosphere. Pickleball tournaments often feature music, cheering crowds, and colorful uniforms. The tournament organizers create a lively atmosphere that is engaging for both players and spectators.

Inclusivity

Pickleball is a sport that is inclusive and accessible to all. It is a game that can be played by people of all ages and abilities, which makes it a unique sport to watch. You will find a mix of young and old players competing against each other in pickleball tournaments. The inclusivity of the sport makes it enjoyable to watch and provides fans with a sense of community and togetherness.

Professional Pickleball Top Players

APP Top Players

Men’s Doubles:

  1. Steven Deakin
  2. Tyson McGuffin
  3. Adam Stone
  4. Patrick Smith
  5. Jay Devilliers

Men’s Singles:

  1. Jay Devilliers
  2. Zane Navratil
  3. JW Johnson
  4. Ben Johns
  5. Dekel Bar

Men’s Mixed Doubles:

  1. Jay Devilliers
  2. Steve Deakin
  3. Ben Johns
  4. Riley Newman
  5. Patrick Smith

Women’s Doubles:

  1. Andrea Koop
  2. Corrine Carr
  3. Sarah Ansboury
  4. Regina Franco
  5. Simone Jardin

Women’s Singles:

  1. Lea Jansen
  2. Megan Hall
  3. Michele Esquivel
  4. Irina Tereschenko
  5. Lauren Stratman

Women’s Mixed Doubles:

  1. Simone Jardin
  2. Corrine Carr
  3. Lauren Stratman
  4. Regina Franco
  5. Sarah Ansboury

PPA Top Players

Men’s Doubles:

  1. Collin Johns
  2. Ben Johns
  3. Matt Wright
  4. Riley Newman
  5. Tyler Loong

Men’s Singles:

  1. Ben Johns
  2. Tyson McGuffin
  3. Jay Devilliers
  4. Federico Staksrud
  5. JW Johnson

Men’s Mixed Doubles:

  1. Ben Johns
  2. Riley Newman
  3. Matt Wright
  4. AJ Koller
  5. Jay Devilliers

Women’s Doubles:

  1. Anna Leigh Waters
  2. Callie Smith
  3. Lucy Kovalova
  4. Catherine Parenteau
  5. Leigh Waters

Women’s Singles:

  1. Anna Leigh Waters
  2. Catherine Parenteau
  3. Lea Jansen
  4. Salome Devidze
  5. Irina Tereschenko

Women’s Mixed Doubles:

  1. Anna Leigh Waters
  2. Catherine Parenteau
  3. Lucy Kovalova
  4. Jessie Irvine
  5. Callie Smith

Points can be accumulated throughout the year by playing in tournaments and matches that affect the players’ rankings as the tournament season progresses.

Understanding Pickleball Ratings: What You Need to Know

Pickleball ratings are used to measure a player’s skill level in the game. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, it’s important to understand the different types of ratings available. In this article, we’ll take a look at the three types of pickleball ratings.

Self-Ratings

One way for players to assign a rating is through self-rating. This allows players to rate themselves based on their experience and skill level. A player’s self-rating can range from 1.0 to 5.0 or above. To give you an idea, players who are new to the game should rate themselves within the 1.0 to 2.0 range, while more experienced players can rate themselves at 3.0 or higher.

USA Pickleball Tournament Player Ratings

The USA Pickleball Tournament Player Ratings (UTPR) is a rating system available only to members of USA Pickleball. Players can earn a score ranging from 0.000 to 6.999 based on their performance in tournaments. The UTPR also allows players to choose opponents who match their skill level or higher to prevent easy victories.

Dreamland Universal Pickleball Ratings

The Dreamland Universal Pickleball Ratings (DUPR) is the official rating system of the PPA. It considers both tournament and recreational play, and it takes into account every point scored, not just wins and losses. The DUPR also has one rating for all players, unlike the UTPR, which has separate ratings for mixed and gender doubles. It gives more weight to the weaker player in a doubles match, assuming that they will receive more shots.

Stay Up to Date with Pickleball Live News and Updates

If you want to stay up to date with the latest news and updates in the world of pickleball, be sure to check out Pickleball Insiders. You’ll find news, tips, and insights from some of the game’s top players and coaches.