ABOUT THIS EPISODE //

Welcome to Episode 2 of Pickleball Passport – a RAQT.com podcast, your go-to source for competitive pickleball across Europe and beyond.

This time, we’re getting court-ready for 2025 with a deep dive into tournament formats, leagues, must-play events and real advice from players and organizers across the continent.

In this episode, we explore how tournament formats shape your experience, where top players are planning to compete, and which tournaments should be in your calendar for the rest of 2025. 

What you’ll hear in Episode 2:

• Round Robin, Double Elimination & Team formats – and why they matter
• What makes a tournament “worth traveling for” – according to top players
• Europe’s team & league formats, including the UK’s Premier Pickleball League
• Special guest interview: Filipe Paszkiewicz from the PEAK League
• Upcoming tournament highlights fort he second half of 2025
• What organizers should know to build better events
• PLUS: A super special Pickleball giveaway with 6 paddles and 1 Set of balls, powered by Pickleballcorner.de. If you live in Europe and love Pickleball – no matter your level – this give-away is FOR YOU! :)

TIME STAMPS //

(00:00) – Intro
(02:03) – Tournament formats: world formats & competitive play in Europe
(06:20) – For tournament starters: what you need to know & what you’re really signing up for when… 

(09:00) – Insights & challenges Europe’s currently facing & what what players enjoy about competitive play

(15:00) – Leagues (Germany, Belgium, LPP Portugal, Serbia, France, UK)

(17:03) – exlusive insights from UK’s Premiere Pickleball League Co-Founder Ed Hares

(22:00) – series/tours/circuits & Interview with special guest Filipe Paszkiewicz from PEAK League

(41:30) – what makes a tournament worth the trip

(44:15) - Tips for first time tournament player & competitive play organizers from experienced top players49:45 – hot tournament picks, must-visit events & tournaments for your second half of 2025!
(57:28) – Pickleball Paddle XL Give-Away details
(57:54) – Wrap-up & what to expect in the upcoming episode 3

***

PLAYERS LOUNGE VOICES //

Thanks to our amazing players & Pickleball influencer for sharing their insights:

• Mike Tonet (Belgium) 
• Agostina Nepote (Spain) 
• Ed Hares (England, Premiere Pickleball League) 

EPISODE SPONSOR //

This episode is proudly powered by Pickleballcorner.de – the online store for the European Pickleball community. From paddles to passion – Europe’s home for everything pickleball, shipping Europe wide!

INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY – 7 WINNERS, 7 PRIZES //

In collaboration with pickleballcorner.de – the online shop for everything Pickleball in Europe - we’re giving away Pickleball gear worth over 600€ in total value:

• 6 different Paddles from PIBA Sports & Holbrook Pickleball
• 1 set of Franklin x40 balls

More info: on instagram @raqtfamily & @pickleballcorner.de! Giveaway closes: June 1, 2025

TOURNAMENTS COMING UP // 

• Pickleball World Cup (October 27th – November 2nd in Florida/USA for national teams / OPEN format for everyone!)
• European Pickleball Championships (2nd edition, organized by the European Pickleball Federation in September Rome/Italy: national teams and the PRE-EPC open for everyone!)

(Exklusive on RAQT.com)

• hottest Picks: Diadem Diadem Halton Open in Halton/UK (June ’25)   Reballution Cup in Rota/Spain (June ’25), Barcelona Open (July ’25), Malta Pickleball International in Malta (June ‘25)
• Team competitions: Lions Brno Open - Team Cup 2025 in Trenčín/Slovakia (June ’25), 
• Series: PEAK LEAGUES (June 26-29th Stockholm, Sweden)

ABOUT RAQT //

RAQT.com is your court companion for all things pickleball in Europe: From club events to international opens, and now with the RAQT app to track and join tournaments all year round.

Download the RAQT app (available in Apple App store &  Google Play store) – plan, play, compete.

GET IN TOUCH //

Feedback? Want to be featured in the Players Lounge or sponsor a future episode?
Email us at: podcast@raqt.com