The PPA North Carolina Open returns to Cary Tennis Park, but for 2026 it’s been elevated to the Veolia Pickleball National Championships — a PPA Slam tournament that kicks off the 2026-2027 PPA Tour season. It’s the first-ever Slam event held in the Tar Heel State, with the largest prize money and ranking points on offer in pro pickleball.
The event runs Aug. 31 through Sept. 6, 2026, drawing more than 2,000 players and the full top of the world rankings to the Greater Raleigh area for a week of pro and amateur play.
Basics
- When: August 31 – September 6, 2026
- Where: Cary Tennis Park, 2727 Louis Stephens Drive, Cary, North Carolina 27519
- Sanctioning: PPA Tour (UPA)
- Status: Slam (2,000 ranking points)
- Prize Money: TBA
- Surface: Outdoor hard courts with rolled court surface
- Tickets: pbnationals.com
- Website: ppatour.com
Divisions
- Pro — Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles
- Pro Qualifier — Open to players outside the PPA Top 50
- Amateur Age Brackets — 19+ through 70+
- Amateur Skill Brackets — 3.0 through 5.0
- Junior — Boys and Girls
Results
| Division | Champions |
|---|---|
| Men’s Pro Singles | Gabe Tardio |
| Women’s Pro Singles | Kate Fahey |
| Men’s Pro Doubles | Gabe Tardio / Ben Johns |
| Women’s Pro Doubles | Jorja Johnson / Tyra Black |
| Mixed Pro Doubles | Jorja Johnson / JW Johnson |
Full brackets: 2025 Results
Tickets
- Day passes: pbnationals.com
- Parking: On-site at Cary Tennis Park, paid lot fee
Watch
Travel
Nearby Airports:
- Piedmont Triad International (GSO): 1 hr 15 min drive
- Raleigh–Durham International (RDU): 10 min drive
Hotels
| Hotel | Distance | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Umstead | 8 min | Luxury |
| Mayton Inn | 12 min | Boutique |
| Hyatt House | 8 min | Reliable |
| Cambria RDU | 10 min | Modern |
Sponsors
- Veolia
- Carvana
- PPA Tour
- Town of Cary
- Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance
- Selkirk
- JOOLA
FAQs
Why is this called the National Championships now?
The 2026 NC Open was upgraded to Slam status and rebranded the Veolia Pickleball National Championships. It now offers the largest prize purse and 2,000 ranking points on the PPA Tour.
Is the event indoor or outdoor?
Matches are played outdoors on the Cary Tennis Park courts. The venue has 25 outdoor courts and seven covered courts, with covered space available if weather forces a schedule shift.
What surface is used at Cary Tennis Park?
The PPA installs a RollX overlay on top of the existing tennis courts to create proper pickleball playing surfaces. Anna Leigh Waters withdrew from singles in 2025 citing injury concerns with this surface.
Can amateurs play alongside the pros?
Yes, amateur brackets run all week alongside the pro draws on the same courts. Players compete by age and skill level, and many amateur matches are live-streamed on the PPA Side Courts channel.
