INDUSTRY NEWS

• SWINTON PICKLEBALL Expands Fan-Favorite “Kitchen’s Closed” Apparel Line - the brand credited with coining the now-iconic phrase “Kitchen’s Closed™,” has expanded its beloved apparel line, just in time for summer play. As courts across the U.S. and Canada fill up with new players and seasoned pros alike, the team at Swinton is serving up a stylish reminder: the Kitchen’s Closed™ (unless, of course, you wait for the bounce). Whether you’re dinking, dropping, or just learning the ropes, Swinton has the gear to keep you comfortable and cool.

• Texas Ranchers to Host MLP Showdown at Austin Pickle Ranch Memorial Day Weekend - The team announced that it will host the highly anticipated MLP tour stop in America’s pickleball capital, Austin, on May 23-26. The four-day event is on pace to sell more than 10,000 tickets for fans to cheer on their favorite team at the Austin Pickle Ranch. Austin is the third stop in the 2025 MLP season, which features ten regular-season events around the country, including an innovative Mid-Season Tournament. The home team, Texas Ranchers, will be competing for a position in the coveted MLP Playoffs, scheduled to take place in August.

• Luxury Redefined: Alma Padel Launches Chicago’s Premier Resort-Style Padel Club - Alma Padel, located in Glenview, Illinois, has officially opened its doors as the North Shore’s first padel club, redefining the local athletic scene. Padel, the fast-growing racquet sport blending elements of tennis and squash, is now accessible in a state-of-the-art facility featuring four competition-level Spanish courts, luxurious amenities, a golf simulator, and community-focused spaces like a bar and café. Founded by Abigail McCulloch—Chicago’s North Shore native and the first solo female padel club founder in the U.S.—Alma Padel aims to bring people together through both sport and culture.

• Sunrise Padel Capital Closes First Fund and Launches Second to Accelerate Padel Growth Across North America - The pioneering investment firm focused on scaling padel through strategic real estate and operating investments, today announced the successful closing of its first fund with deployments into nine clubs across major U.S. markets. The firm has also officially launched its second fund, a dual-structure vehicle designed to invest in both real estate and operating companies, targeting a combined $50 million in capital commitments.

• QC Kinetix Becomes Presenting Sponsor of the National Pickleball League to Champion Active, Healthy Lifestyles - the largest regenerative medicine company in North America focused on leading the change for communities in pain, and the National Pickleball League (NPL) announced that the company will become the official presenting sponsor of the professional pickleball league for its third season in 2025. The partnership will brand the league as the “NPL presented by QC Kinetix.” Established in 2022, the NPL is the first Champions Pro (Ages 50+) professional pickleball league.

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

For the Moms Who Crush It — On Court and Off

This Mother’s Day, serve up something special for the tennis, pickleball, and padel moms who bring the heat—on and off the court. Our editor-curated gift guide is packed with high-performance gear, stylish accessories, and game-elevating equipment that match her love of the sport with serious flair. Whether she’s dominating the kitchen line or rallying through the weekend, these picks are designed to celebrate her hustle, power her play, and remind her that she’s the real MVP.

Gift Categories covered include:

• Court-Ready & Style-Savvy: Apparel That Performs

• Headgear That Holds It Together

• Bags - Stylish Storage Solutions

• Power Up Her Play: Paddles & Rackets

• Accessories, Jewelry, and a too-cute Pickleball Paddle Snack Tray