Pickleball Takes Spain by Storm: New Circuit Promises to Ignite a Growing Sport
Spain is rapidly embracing the phenomenal global rise of pickleball, launching the Pickle Pro Tour, a national circuit kicking off in the coming weeks. The ambitious initiative, spearheaded by the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET) and sponsored by Victoria beers and B3 Sportainment, will feature stops in key cities including Madrid, Barcelona, and Malaga, with between six and eight tournaments planned.
This burgeoning sport, born in the United States in the 1960s—a blend of tennis, paddle, badminton, and table tennis—is gaining traction globally, and Spain is now poised to establish its own competitive landscape. The driving force behind the circuit’s launch is its accessibility and entertainment value. According to the RFET, pickleball’s appeal lies in its ease of learning and adaptability to varying player skill levels. The game’s fast-paced rallies and strategic depth, played on a court resembling a doubles game, create a highly engaging experience for participants of all ages and fitness levels.
“The success of the Pickleball lies in being an easy to learn and very entertaining sport, which adapts to the level of each player and that is why it can be played by people of different ages and conditions,” stated Miguel Díaz, President of the RFET. “It is very entertaining and motivating, since during the game there are long and fast balls in which the level of the players clearly marks the intensity and rhythm of the same.”
The launch ceremony for the Pickle Pro Tour was held at the Victoria beer factory in Malaga. Representatives from the RFET, B3 Sportainment, and sponsors emphasized the sport’s broad appeal and the potential for growth in Spain. Damm’s advisor, Ramón Agenjo, noted the company’s commitment to supporting emerging sporting initiatives, citing their experience managing the world-renowned World Padel Tour.
Corsino Tamargo, founding partner of B3 Sportainment, highlighted the passion driving the project: “From B3 we are decidedly bet on the sport that grows the most in the world, and of which more than 30 million people have already fallen in love in the United States. Supported by two pillars as solid as the RFET and beers Victoria is time for the picklet to take its place of importance in Spain with the pickle pro tour”
Organizers believe the public nature of these tournaments—held in prominent urban areas—will be crucial to expanding pickleball’s reach and attracting new players. The RFET’s vision is to not only foster a competitive circuit but also to make pickleball a widely accessible activity across Spain.
Did You Know?
Pickleball originated in Seattle, Washington, in the 1960s as a recreational game for badminton and tennis players.
The Pickle Pro Tour represents a significant investment in the sport’s future in Spain, promising a dynamic and engaging experience for players and spectators alike. The success of the tour will undoubtedly elevate pickleball’s profile and contribute to its continued global expansion.