MEHAU(MEHAU Pickleball), the pickleball brand under MEHAU Sports, has officially signed a Sponsorship and Advertising Agreement with PB Operations, LLC, the operating company of the United Pickleball Association (UPA).
Through this agreement, MEHAU is now an Official UPA 2026 Sponsor, establishing a long-term partnership focused on professional tournaments, league promotion, brand visibility, and the continued growth of professional pickleball throughout the 2026 season.
As one of the world's leading professional pickleball organizations, the UPA oversees both the PPA Tour (Professional Pickleball Association Tour) and Major League Pickleball (MLP), forming one of the most comprehensive professional pickleball ecosystems in the sport today.
This partnership marks an important milestone in MEHAU's global expansion strategy and further strengthens the brand's connection to the highest levels of professional pickleball.
Joining a Select Group of Official UPA Sponsors
Within the UPA ecosystem, only a limited number of paddle manufacturers actively participate in official sponsorship programs and professional event investments.
UPA maintains rigorous standards for its commercial partners, evaluating factors such as:
- Product compliance and certification
- Brand integrity and professionalism
- Long-term business commitment
- Investment in the growth of professional pickleball
MEHAU's appointment as an Official UPA 2026 Sponsor reflects the brand's ability to meet these standards while demonstrating a long-term commitment to supporting the continued growth of the sport.
As a result, MEHAU further enriches the brand ecosystem across UPA events while reinforcing its position as a company capable of contributing to the development of professional pickleball worldwide.
MEHAU Paddles Featured Throughout the UPA Professional System
Under the sponsorship agreement, MEHAU pickleball paddles are featured with full brand visibility throughout the UPA professional ecosystem.
Unlike paddles from brands that do not participate in sponsorship programs or broadcasting agreements, MEHAU products are represented as a fully recognized sponsor brand within professional competition environments.
As the organization behind both the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball, the UPA manages:
- Professional tournament operations
- Professional athlete programs
- Club and league development
- Commercial sponsorship partnerships
- Global pickleball media initiatives
Together, these platforms form one of the most influential and mature structures in professional pickleball today.
Deep Integration Into Professional Pickleball
This partnership extends far beyond traditional tournament sponsorship.
Rather than focusing solely on event exposure, the agreement integrates advertising, media distribution, professional athlete visibility, and brand promotion throughout the entire 2026 season.
Professional Tournament Presence
MEHAU paddles are now represented across the sport's premier professional events, including both the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball.
Through ongoing participation within elite competitive environments, MEHAU continues to strengthen its connection to high-level pickleball competition and professional athletes.
Professional Athlete Partnerships
Players sponsored by MEHAU are officially identified with the MEHAU brand on their PPA Tour and MLP player profile pages, creating a clear and lasting association between the athletes and the brand.
This visibility strengthens MEHAU's position within the professional pickleball community while increasing brand recognition among players and fans worldwide.
Official Brand Promotion
MEHAU is actively featured through official UPA communication channels, including:
- Tournament venues
- League promotional materials
- Official content platforms
- Professional event marketing assets
In addition, MEHAU is authorized to display PPA Tour and MLP logos across approved marketing materials, packaging, websites, and social media channels, creating a mutually recognized branding relationship.
Expanding Across the UPA Digital Ecosystem
As part of the partnership, MEHAU branding is now featured across several major UPA-owned platforms.
These include:
- Pickleball.com
- Pickleball Central
MEHAU pickleball paddles and related equipment are also available through Pickleball Central, one of the largest specialty pickleball retailers in North America.
Additionally, MEHAU has secured homepage banner placement on Pickleball Central, providing exposure to a highly engaged audience of pickleball consumers worldwide.
Advertising Across PickleballTV and UPA Media Platforms
MEHAU advertising is also being featured through PickleballTV (PBTV), the official streaming platform for professional pickleball coverage.
Through season-long media exposure, MEHAU continues to reach:
- Professional pickleball fans
- Tournament viewers
- Recreational players
- Equipment buyers
The brand is also featured across additional UPA ecosystem platforms, including:
- PickleballTournaments.com
- PickleballLeagues.com
- PickleballClubs.com
Together, these platforms provide multi-channel exposure across the sport's most active digital communities.
Source: UPA
Ongoing Presence at Professional Pickleball Events
MEHAU continues to participate in product showcase initiatives throughout UPA-sanctioned events.
With more than 30 professional tournaments taking place annually across major pickleball markets, the partnership creates ongoing opportunities for MEHAU products to be seen by players, coaches, retailers, and fans around the world.
More importantly, this collaboration establishes a clear and lasting connection between MEHAU and the professional pickleball ecosystem.
Rather than being viewed as a short-term promotional participant, MEHAU is increasingly recognized as an active contributor to the growth and development of professional pickleball.
A Strategic Step in MEHAU's Global Expansion
MEHAU has never viewed international growth as simply a matter of generating short-term visibility.
Instead, the brand has prioritized building relationships within established professional structures that support the long-term development of the sport.
MEHAU believes that the future of pickleball will be shaped by:
- Professional competition
- Equipment standards
- Industry governance
- Sustainable global growth
For brands seeking meaningful participation in the future of pickleball, becoming part of the professional ecosystem is essential.
Through its partnership with the UPA, MEHAU continues to build a clear and credible identity within the global pickleball industry while strengthening relationships with professional athletes, dedicated players, and industry leaders.
Looking Ahead
The execution of the 2026 Sponsorship and Advertising Agreement between MEHAU and the UPA represents a major milestone in the brand's international development.
As pickleball continues its rapid global expansion, MEHAU remains focused on strengthening its integration with the professional game and establishing a meaningful role within the future structure of the sport.
As an Official UPA 2026 Sponsor, MEHAU will continue investing in:
- Professional tournament partnerships
- Paddle innovation and technology
- Global market expansion
- Player development initiatives
Our mission remains unchanged:
To provide players around the world with innovative, high-performance pickleball equipment while helping advance the future of the sport at every level.
