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Pickleball

FINNISH OPEN 2026

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Welcome to the 6th Pickleball Finnish Open which will be played in Espoo on 27th–29th November, 2026. This will be our 15th international and 11th anniversary tournament, organized by Pickleball Finland. The first pickleball tournament ever in Finland and Nordic countries we organized already back in 2015. 

 

The Finnish Open 2026 will feature Singles as well as Gender and Mixed Doubles events in various age and skill categories. Money prizes available in Open divisions! Players of all ages and skill levels are warmly welcome!

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(Tournament info in Finnish >>)

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Registration will open in September. Registration link will be published on this page. NOTE! Please register as soon as possible (in 2025 the tournament was sold out several weeks before the deadline).

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Tournament details:

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  • Date & time: 27th–29th November 2026 

    • 27 Nov estimated starting time will be 10:00am

    • 28–29 Nov tentative schedule for matches will be 8:30am–8:00pm

    • More precise schedule will be announced after the registration has closed. Delays in schedules possible

    • Registration closes latest on 13th Nov. at 23:45 EET

  • Venue: Targa Arena, Ullanmäentie 21, 02750 ESPOO, Finland  (Map: https://goo.gl/maps/wU4BXCfm9WVtKeTy8)

    • Detailed directions to the venue will be published in the newsletter before the tournament.​

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  • Tentative tournament programme and divisions:

    • Friday 27th Nov.​

      • Women's Singles 4.5–5.0+ Open

      • Women's Singles 4.0

      • Women's Singles 3.0–3.5

      • Men's Singles 4.5–5.0+ Open

      • Men's Singles 4.0

      • Men's Singles 3.0–3.5

      • Women's Doubles 60+

      • Men's Doubles 60+

    • Saturday 28th Nov.

      • Women's Doubles 4.5–5.0+ Open

      • Women's Doubles 4.0

      • Women's Doubles 3.0–3.5

      • Women's Doubles 50+

      • Men's Doubles 4.5–5.0+ Open
      • Men's Doubles 4.0
      • Men's Doubles 3.0–3.5

      • Men's Doubles 50+

    • Sunday 29th Nov.​

      • Mixed Doubles 4.5–5.0+ Open

      • Mixed Doubles 4.0

      • Mixed Doubles 3.0–3.5

      • Mixed Doubles 50+

      • Mixed Doubles 60+
         

    • Player can participate in only one Singles, Gender Doubles and Mixed Doubles division (=max. 3)

      • Players over 60 may play also in the Gender Doubles 60+, if they don't participate in Singles

    • Especially on Saturday and Sunday all other divisions will have limited amount of spots available to ensure sufficient number of teams for each division and especially in Open divisions

      • Estimated maximum capacity 180–200 players (depends heavily on which division players will register in)​

    • Changes possible until the number of players/teams and divisions are confirmed.  

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  • Choosing the correct divisions:

    • Players who have DUPR rating (reliability >50/100) it defines the division they can play in

    • if player's DUPR is maximum 3.74, they are allowed play in 3.0–3.5​

    • if player's DUPR is 3.75–4.24, they are allowed play in 4.0

    • if player's DUPR is 4.25 or higher, they shall automatically play in 4.5-5.0+

    • If a player/team prefers, they can also play up in skill or down in age

    • In Gender and Mixed Doubles the team will automatically play in the division defined by the player with the higher DUPR rating. In age divisions the player with the lower age defines the division the team must play in.
       

  • Tournament format:

    • All divisions will start with pool play (single round-robin) 

    • Pool play will be followed by knockouts and medal matches

    • Match duration (points) and format (one game or best-of-three) will be confirmed later 

    • In each division the minimum number of players/teams is five (5). At least four (4) matches are guaranteed to all, excl. force majeure situations

    • The organizer has the right to combine or cancel divisions if insufficient entries​

    • Changes in format and divisions are possible until registration has closed.

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  • Tournament fees:

    • Only Intermediate divisions:

      • one division = 45 €/pers., two = 75 €/pers., three = 100 €/pers.

    • Mixture of Open and Intermediate divisions:​

      • one division = 65 €/pers., two = 90 €/pers., three = 110 €/pers.

    • Open divisions only:​

      • one division = 65 €/pers., two = 100 €/pers., three = 120 €/pers.​

    • 13.5 % VAT will be added to the total amount at checkout

    • Tournament fees will be refunded (90%) if registration is cancelled latest on 17th Nov. or 50% if latest on 20th Nov. After that no refunds will be made  

    • Tournament fees will be refunded (90%) also if there are not enough players/teams in some division even after combining them, division has to be cancelled completely or if we can't find a partner for a player (excluding last minute withdrawals or injuries).

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  • Prizes:

    • 1st, 2nd and 3rd place medals will be awarded in all divisions
    • ​In all Open divisions (5) there will be total of 4,700 euros of prize money up for grabs

      • Singles:

        • 1st place 300 €

        • 2nd place 150 €

        • 3rd place 100 €

      • Gender Doubles and Mixed Doubles (split between players):

        • 1st place 600 €

        • 2nd place 400 €

        • 3rd place 200 €

    • In the case of combined divisions (due to low number of registrants) only those who have initially signed up for Open division(s) are entitled to compete for the money prizes. So it's possible all money prizes may not be paid out in all divisions.​

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  • Misc. important issues:

    • The Official Ball of the tournament: Franklin X-40 (optic yellow)

    • Tournament will be played on tennis courts w/ taped pickleball lines (orange).

      • Surface: GreenSet Comfort (dark green hard acrylic)

    • Up to 12 pickleball-courts, free height ca. 9 metres

    • Match results will be uploaded on DUPR (the global pickleball rating system). You will need to add your DUPR id when registering for the tournament. Create your account (free) on www.dupr.com

    • You are only allowed to play with paddles that are listed on USAP's or UPA-A's Approved Paddles list- Check out https://equipment.usapickleball.org/paddle-list/ or https://upaa.unitedpickleball.com/approved-paddles/ Note! "USA Pickleball Approved" or "UPA Pro Certified" -stamp alone on a paddle is not enough​​

    • The organizer holds the right to change tournament format, divisions, schedule etc. if mandatory

    • The venue features a nice small café w/ delicious hot meals available, and a gallery for easy viewing over all courts. Lockers (bring your own small padlock!), showers and saunas available

    • The tournament venue has easy access by commuter train from/to Helsinki center (20 mins) and Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (35–40 mins, 1 change). There's a train station ("Koivuhovi") 700 metres from the venue. Free parking available

    • More information about the venue and tournament will be sent to all participants on tournament week.

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Top level coaching clinics on Thursday 26th and Friday 27th: 

  • An absolutely unique opportunity to get real pro-level coaching in Finland!

  • Instructors: World's #1 Senior Female APP Pro player Lee Whitwell (USA) and Europe's #1 Senior Female Pro player Pialena Ander (Sweden)

  • Location & time:

    • Thursday 26th at 6:00-8:00pm, Venue: House of Games, Lommilantie 2 B, Espoo

    • Friday 27th at 08:00-10:00am, Venue: Targa Arena, Ullanmäentie 21, Espoo

  • Duration: 2 hrs​​/session

  • Only 32 spots available for max. 2 separate 2-hour sessions, 16 players/session needed for both (4 courts in each)

    • 16 spots for levels 3.0–3.9​9

    • 16 spots for levels 4.0+

  • Price: 80 €/person/2 hours

  • Topics including:

    • "Develop offensive weapons that create pressure and win more points"​

    • "Master the transition zone with confidence and purpose"

    • "Practical drills you can immediately take into your own game"

  • Topics will be selected and players divided in groups based on their skill level

  • Very limited availability! Only 32 spots available – will be filled in registration order!

  • More info, registration and payments: www.gamechangeherevents.com/clinic

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​​​​​​​Accommodation and directions:

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  • Comfort Hotel Sello 9 km/10 mins by car or train. 

    • excellent location right next to a large "Sello" shopping mall w/ restaurants, etc. www.sello.fi/en

  • Special prices 25th Nov - 1st Dec with discount code SPECIAL15 you'll get –15% off from normal prices

    • bookings: www.strawberry.fi by using the discount code

    • pay in advance online or at arrival

    • buffet breakfast, free wi-fi and free parking in Shopping Mall Sello's garage included​​

    • commuter train station (3 mins) w/ trains to the airport (35 mins, 1 change) and Helsinki center (12 mins)

    • email: co.sello@strawberry.fi or phone +358 10 3444 200

    • NOTE: with the code you'll get discount also from Strawberry hotels at Helsinki Airport and in Helsinki city center.

  • Scandic Hotel Espoo ca. 3,5 km/ 7 mins by car from Targa Arena

    • buffet breakfast, free wi-fi and free parking included  

    • bookings w/ special discount: www.scandichotels.com/fi?bookingCode=EVNT (valid also for all other Scandic Hotels i.e. in Helsinki city center)

    • possible special prices vary depending on dates and booking terms. Additional discount possible when payment is made online at booking 

    • special prices subject to room availability and when booking is made latest 10 days before arrival

    • email: espoo@scandichotels.com or phone +358-9-43 520 

    • NOTE: Scandic Hotel Espoo is medium level and closest to the venue but with limited services in the neighborhood. Only one supermarket and some fast food restaurants available. Not close to shopping. 

  • Hotel Matts ca. 10 km/12 mins by car

    • buffet breakfast, free wi-fi and sauna included. Parking 2,5 €/h or 17 €/24 h, free first 24 h.

    • discount –15 % from "day's best price" with code FO2026 on 25th Nov.–1st Dec.

      • Reservations latest on 23rd Nov. subject to availability​

    • bookings: www.hotelmatts.fi, free cancellation latest at 18:00 on booked arrival date

    • email: matts@kassiopeia.fi or phone +358 29 308 0440​

    • No easy public transportation to tournament venue. Must use your own car or taxi.

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Organizer and more info:

Pickleball Finland, Tuomo Antikainen, tournaments@pickleballfinland.fi.​

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Pickleball Finland is the most experienced tournament organizer in Finland. We run the biggest and the only international tournaments and organized the first pickleball tournament in the Nordic countries already in 2015.

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