Fantasy pickleball is still early, which is exactly why now is the best time to get involved. Here's our guide for the best fantasy pickleball games in 2026.
If you follow pro pickleball closely, there are already a couple ways to compete, test your knowledge, and actually win prizes (our most recent winner, Jake Gelvar, won a prize from Six Zero!). This guide breaks down the best fantasy pickleball games available right now and what makes each one worth trying.
1. PickleWave Bracket Challenge
The PickleWave Bracket Challenge is the closest thing to March Madness for pickleball.
You fill out a full tournament bracket, pick winners round by round, and compete against other fans for the top spot.
It's simple to understand but incredibly competitive as you'll be going against some of the top fans on the internet like Jake Gelvar, Chris Cali (from SorryNotSorry Pickleball), and Nico The Lefty.
- Play here: https://www.picklewave.com/bracket-challenge
- How it works: https://www.picklewave.com/bracket-challenge/how-to-play
Why it stands out
- Full bracket format makes every match matter
- Compete against the top pro pickleball fans (and chat in our discord!)
- Completely free to play
- Tied directly to real pro tournaments
- Win prizes from our sponsors!
Past winners
- PPA Asia Hanoi Cup winner: Jake Gelvar Final Rankings
- PPA Greater Zion Cup winner: Larisa Albers Final Rankings
Each tournament brings a new upsets, a new leaderboard, and new bragging rights.
The next bracket challenge is for PPA Sacramento, so if you haven't tried it yet, this is the best place to start.
2. MATCHDAY App
The MATCHDAY app offers a different format.
Instead of filling out a full bracket, you pick medalists across each category such as:
- Men’s doubles
- Women’s doubles
- Mixed doubles
There are about 15 total picks, and you earn points based on how accurate you are.
You can check it out at pblfg.com.
Why people like it
- Faster to play than a full bracket
- Focuses on predicting medalists
- Good for casual fans
It is a solid option, but if you want the full competitive experience, bracket style tends to be more engaging.
What’s Coming Next for Fantasy Pickleball
This is just the beginning.
There are going to be a lot more fantasy formats coming soon, especially around Major League Pickleball.
On PickleWave, upcoming features include:
- Weekly MLP lineup pick’em
- More bracket challenges for every major tournament
- Expanded formats and scoring systems
The goal is to make following pro pickleball more interactive every single week.
Stay Updated
If you want to stay ahead and get access to every new fantasy pickleball game as it launches, make sure to sign up for updates on PickleWave.
Final Thoughts
Right now, fantasy pickleball is simple but fun.
- If you want the best overall experience, play the PickleWave Bracket Challenge
- If you want something quick and casual, try MATCHDAY
Either way, you are getting in early on something that is only going to grow as the sport continues to explode.
And if you are serious about following pro pickleball, this is one of the most fun ways to do it.
Thanks,
PickleWave Team