Episode 9: Dinks & Destination - Top Ten Places To Play Pickleball In 2025/2026 // Season 1 ending

ABOUT THIS EPISODE //

Where community, travel, and the world’s fastest-growing sport come together!
In this special award episode of Pickleball Passport – powered by RAQT.com, we reveal the TOP 10 Most Special Places to Play Pickleball in Europe 2025/2026 — selected by our international jury as part of the Dinks & Destinations Awards.

From Alpine courts to Mediterranean sunsets, from architecturally stunning indoor venues to resort-style pickleball escapes — these 10 destinations represent the best, most unique, most unforgettable places to play in Europe today.

We also look at the rise of sports tourism and the explosive growth of pickleball travel across Europe, including expert insights from two leaders in the field.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why sports tourism (USD 618B in 2024 → USD 2 trillion by 2032!) is reshaping the way Europeans travel
• Why pickleball holidays are booming in Europe’s off-season tourism window
• How travel organisations are building communities — not just trips
• Why players are now choosing destinations based on courts, coaching & community vibes
• …and of course:🎉 The official announcement of the TOP 10 Dinks & Destinations Award Winners!

🏆 TOP 10 MOST SPECIAL PICKLEBALL PLACES TO PLAY 2025/2026

• Austria / RACKET REVOLUTION - @racketrevolutionpickleball
• Switzerland / PICKLEBALL HUB BASEL - @pickleballhubschweiz
• Netherlands / DINX PICKLEBALL THE HAGUE - @dinx.pickleball
• Germany / TOP PICKLEBALL STUTTGART - @top_pickleball_stuttgart
• Croatia / KLUB 002 (Split) - @pickleball_split_klub002
• Croatia / ARETHA CRUISE - @via_croatia & Bookings via VibeGetaways
• France / LE LOGIS - @lelogiscognac & booking request via Mrs. Butikofer
• Spain / PLAYA DE LA LUZ - @hotelplayadelaluz & Reballution Cup 2026 by Pickleball Rota
• Italy / TENNIS-PADEL-PICKLEBALL CLUB ALBA - @tennisclubalba
• Turkey / ALI BEY RESORT SORGUN - @alibeyhotels

Special thanks to our expert voices. Go check out their Pickleball vacation packages!

• Zuhal Polat (PSO Travel) @psotravel
• Tom Corfield (Pickleball Pro Retreats) @pickleballproretreats

SPONSOR //
Thanks to our partner - Dinking Times - for supporting this episode. All top ten winner will be showcased in issue 4 (2026) of the European Pickleball magazine.

GET IN TOUCH //
Feedback? Ideas? Want to get in touch or send some cabin crew love? Email us at: podcast@raqt.com or DM via instagram @pickleball_passport_podcast