The Picklr Files for Chapter 11 as Anna Leigh Waters Hits 200 Titles

The Picklr Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Picklr Inc., the parent company behind more than 70 indoor pickleball clubs in 29 states, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a Texas federal court on October 10. The filing disclosed $19 million in total liabilities against 2025 revenue of just $10.3 million and a net loss of $4.4 million, a steep fall for a company once valued at $59 million in a Series B round.

The collapse traces back to how the parent company backed its rapid expansion, taking on corporate guarantees for the leases at roughly 40 franchise locations. That structure left the holding company carrying fixed costs it could not sustain.

The petition covers only the parent holding company, not individual franchise locations, and the company says no clubs are closing as a direct result of the filing. In Fair Lawn, New Jersey, the company told members the club is independently owned and operating as normal while the parent restructures.

Dynamus Alliance Moves to Rescue the Network

Dynamus Alliance, led by existing franchisee Tom Neale, is backing the rescue effort. If the reorganization plan is confirmed, Neale's group becomes the network's lead investor. "We're convinced that the model works," Neale told Sports Business Journal.

Tom Dundon's Pickleball Inc., which owns the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball, led the 2024 Series B round that valued The Picklr at $59 million.

Anna Leigh Waters Reaches 200 Career Titles

Anna Leigh Waters swept the Veolia Chicago Cup in Northbrook, Illinois, on Championship Sunday, claiming her 45th career Triple Crown and her 200th career title.

In the men's draw, Roscoe Bellamy beat top seed Christopher Haworth, a result that suggests the depth on the men's side is growing even as Waters continues to dominate on the other side of the bracket.

Ben Johns Headlines Hong Kong Exhibition

On October 19, world No. 1 Ben Johns pairs with women's doubles No. 2 Anna Bright for a mixed exhibition against Jack Wong and Nikita Tang at Hong Kong's Olympian City, billed as the first of its kind. The event is tied to promotion for the PPA Hong Kong Slam, with free paddle demo sessions running at the mall through October 18.

Separately, The Dink published a breakdown of what makes Johns so good, noting he has dropped to No. 2 in men's doubles only twice, both times behind his own partners entering extra events. The piece argues he is not a highlight-reel player but an absorber who takes other players' shots and executes them more cleanly and consistently than they do, with his real edge being the absence of any real weakness.

Albacete Launches Its First Provincial Circuit

Spain's Albacete province has launched its first provincial pickleball circuit, touring six towns from November through April. The circuit is open to any level without requiring players to be federated, with entry at 15 euros per event feeding into a provincial ranking and a season-ending Master Final Open.

Taichung Opens International Tournament

The 2026 Taichung International Pickleball Open has opened in Taichung, Taiwan.

Huntsville Goes Pink for Awareness Day

Huntsville, Alabama held its second annual Dink Pink Pickleball Day for breast cancer awareness, offering free open play for every skill level. Huntsville Parks and Recreation says the city ranks second nationally for pickleball growth.