The PGA Show, the world’s largest and longest-running global golf business gathering, returns to the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Florida, January 20–23, 2026, with an expanded and energized Racquet Sports at the PGA Show returns to the 73rd PGA Show this week. It’s spotlighted by a new Celebrity Pickleball Pro-Am, complimentary business programming and hands-on experiences designed to meet surging demand for racquet sports offerings at golf and multi-sport facilities.
Debuting as a fully integrated “show within a show,” Racquet Sports at the PGA Show reflects the rapid evolution of club and facility models, where golf, pickleball, tennis and padel increasingly coexist to attract new audiences, boost utilization and drive year-round revenue.
A Growing Category, Elevated Experience
Racquet sports participation continues to climb across the U.S. and globally, with pickleball, tennis and padel reshaping how facilities engage members and communities. At the 2026 PGA Show, Racquet Sports at the PGA Show expands to its largest footprint to date, featuring more than 60 exhibiting brands, two active pickleball courts, a full padel court and live demos, coaching clinics and athlete-led sessions running throughout the week.
“This is the biggest year we’ve had for racquet sports at the PGA Show,” says Nick Mastro, Event Manager for Racquet Sports at the PGA Show. “Facilities are looking for proven ways to grow participation, maximize revenue and retain members. Racquet sports are delivering across those areas and the Show is designed to let attendees see, feel and experience what’s possible.”
Celebrity Pickleball Pro-Am Brings Energy to the Show Floor
A marquee moment for Racquet Sports at the PGA Show arrives on Wednesday, Jan. 21, with the Celebrity Pickleball Pro-Am presented by Matt “Pickleball McNasty” Manasse, bringing high-energy competition and entertainment directly to the Show floor.
The complimentary event runs from 5-7 p.m. and features:
- Celebrity Pro-Am, Pickleball Court 2
- Attendee Networking & Happy Hour presented by RADL Wire, Pickleball Court 1
- Complimentary food and beverage service for ticket holders
- Appearances by professional athletes and sports personalities, including NFL legends Calvin Johnson and Eric Decker, professional tennis player Jesse Levine, WTA standout Caroline Dolehide and more!
“We wanted to create something fun, accessible and memorable that brings even more energy onto the Show floor,” Mastro says. “It’s a celebration of the sport and the community around it — and it’s free for attendees.”
Complimentary Racquet Sports Stage Programming
Reflecting the continued growth of racquet sports at golf facilities, the Racquet Sports Stage delivers complimentary business content focused on pickleball, tennis and multi-sport programming. Sessions explore facility design, community engagement, staffing and revenue strategies, with presentations from leading racquet industry organizations and brands.
A sample of Racquet Sports Stage programming:
- From Court to Community: Designing Pickleball Experiences People Remember, presented by Selkirk
- The Pickleball Profit Playbook: Trends Driving Revenue in 2026
- “The Hire Standard”, presented by the RSPA (Racquet Sports Professionals Association)
- Engaging the Next Generation: Creative Coaching for Tennis & Pickleball presented by PTR (Professional Tennis Registry)
- Leading with Impact: Best Practices for Club Directors, presented by The Directors Club of America
- “Pickleball: The Founding Family” presented by Frank Pritchard
For the first time, select racquet-specific sessions also offer racquet-affiliated association education credits, reinforcing the PGA Show’s commitment to professional development across the multi-sport landscape.
Brands, Partners and Sponsors Power the Experience
More than 60 racquet sports brands will showcase the latest products, equipment, apparel and technology, including adidas Racquet Sports, Centerline Athletics, Gamma Sports, GEARBOX, JOOLA Pickleball, Paddletek, Selkirk, Mizuno, Vulcan Sporting Goods and more.
Industry partners supporting Racquet Sports at the PGA Show include the Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA), Directors Club of America, United States Tennis Association (USTA), Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) and RADL Wire.
The Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA) is hosting a two-hour Padel clinic on Wednesday, Jan. 21 from 3-5 p.m. The clinic will consist of a one-hour session led by RSPA CEO Brian Dillman on the Racquet Sports Stage from 3-4 p.m., followed by an on-court demo on the adidas Padel court, with “Godfather of Padel in the USA,” Marcos Del Pilar.
Key sponsors include:
- adidas Racquet Sports — Official Padel Court Sponsor
- JOOLA Pickleball — Official Pickleball Court Sponsor
- Selkirk — Racquet Sports Presenting Sponsor
- AMET International — Racquet Product Zone Sponsor
Hands-On Connection at the Core
From live play and product testing to programming and networking, Racquet Sports at the PGA Show is built around one guiding principle: meaningful, in-person connection.
“Performance-driven categories like golf and racquet sports demand hands-on interaction,” Mastro says. “Those moments — hitting, testing, learning and connecting — are what build confidence, spark ideas and lead to long-term partnerships. That’s what the PGA Show does best.”