Canadian pickleball players compete for an international spot in Kirkland

Today is a big day for Canadian pickleball — and it’s all happening right here at MTL Pickleball in Kirkland.

Teams from across the region are competing for a spot in the U.S. Minor League Pickleball Tournament and a shot at a 100,000 U.S. dollar prize pool.

This is the first time a Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) qualifier is being held in the province — opening the door for Canadian teams to compete on the international stage.

“This is a groundbreaking moment for pickleball in Quebec,” said Jon Wijtman, co-founder at MTL Pickleball, in a press release. “We are thrilled to give our local athletes the opportunity to not only compete at a national level, but to join the international conversation and represent our province with pride.”

The winning team will represent Canada globally, facing top players from the U.S. and around the world.

Connecting Local Players to Global Pickleball

The July 19 tournament is the first of four sanctioned MLiP events scheduled at MTL Pickleball: July 19, August 23, September 14 & October 26, 2025.

“For today we have medals and prizes and such, which is fun and nice. But then they gain points so that they can go compete in the US as well. And that’s of course there’s much higher stakes. At that point they’re sharing $100,000 in US, so it’s a pretty big prize,” said Wijtman.

These events are part of the Dink Minor League Pickleball Canada, the official pathway to the Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) — Canada’s premier professional pickleball league.

Participation also opens doors to qualify for the prestigious Pickleball World Cup, connecting Canadian players to the rapidly growing international scene.

Pickleball’s popularity is on the rise

As the tournament heats up, it’s clear that pickleball’s appeal goes well beyond competition. Players of all ages and backgrounds are discovering the sport — and quickly falling in love with it.

“I used to play softball and baseball, I played for 55 years and my wife has told me I could not play anymore because I keep getting hurt and diving for balls and stuff. So I picked pickleball and it’s not better because the ground is a lot harder than baseball!,” said participant Bob Bevins.

“My mom showed it to me a year ago and I just loved it from the start and then we got addicted. And that’s just what this sport does. Everyone gets addicted, the community is really nice,” added Maude Vaillancourt-Morin.

An invitation to discover the sport

MTL Pickleball’s co-founder encourages everyone — of all ages and skill levels — to come try pickleball for themselves.

“All levels are welcome, all ages are welcome, a lot of people say you have to be a certain age. We have people coming in here that are teenagers and loving it. Their parents drop them off here and they have just as much of a good time than the 60 year old,” added Wijtman.

MTL Pickleball will host National Pickleball Day’s community event, Picklepalooza, on August 9, 2025.

The event will include beginner and professional clinics, open play, live music, food trucks, entertainment, and family-friendly activities, attracting players and fans of all ages.