Professional Pickleball Gains Momentum in Canada, Inspires Players to Rethink Careers

As COVID-19 restrictions disrupted traditional sports in 2020, Christina Chin found a new athletic passion in pickleball. Chin, who grew up playing hockey, discovered the game’s accessibility and ease of learning, quickly transitioning from the ice rink to pickleball courts. Now, four years later, she’s preparing to take a sabbatical from her consulting job to focus on competitive pickleball as the sport’s first professional tour arrives in Canada.

The Canadian Pickleball Association is set to host its inaugural pro tour at Hisports Pickleball grounds in Oshawa, starting this Wednesday. With 24 top players receiving sponsorships and a $15,000 prize for the winner, the event mirrors the success of the PPA Tour in the United States. This development has players like Chin and Montreal’s Ernesto Fajardo, who transitioned from tennis to pickleball, eyeing professional pickleball careers. Fajardo believes the tour will highlight the sport’s competitive potential, attracting more players and elevating its status.

The CPA Pro Tour aims to grow the sport nationally, featuring various competition formats and social events. Planned stops in Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver through 2025 will help identify and nurture Canadian talent. CPA Pro Tour CEO Alex Stojkov envisions the tour as a launching pad for Canadian players to showcase their skills on a global stage, further cementing pickleball’s rapid rise in popularity.