The 2026-27 college pickleball season starts soon, and there's a lot to catch up on first. FAU chased down a title, college players lined up against pro teams, a global bracket launched, and the rulebook got its biggest update yet. Here's everything worth knowing before the season tips off.

FAU wins The Nationals in dominant fashion

The largest college pickleball tournament in history did not faze the Owls. After semifinal losses in 2023 and 2025, FAU finally broke through at The Nationals 2026, posting a 30-1 game record across the tournament. Their only dropped game came in the finals, in Mixed Doubles 1 against Utah Tech. With most of their starters back on campus, FAU has a real shot at becoming the first college pickleball team to repeat as national champions.

College All-Stars go toe-to-toe with MLP teams

Ella Cosma, Kallan Alredge, Lauren Mercado, and Ryan Morneau carried the college banner into the double elimination bracket at July's MLP Mid-Season Tournament. The group pulled off a first-round upset, taking Men's Doubles against the Utah Black Diamonds. Cosma's ATP defense against the Black Diamonds was one of the tournament's best points. Watch it here.

Utah Tech wins the first College World Championship

More than 200 players from around the world turned out for the first-ever College World Championship. Team India pushed through a stacked field to finish second, with Utah Tech taking the title. The three-day event ran alongside the Edward Jones MLP Cup, giving players a courtside look at professional team pickleball. College pickleball is officially a global sport now, and even more countries are expected at the 2026 College World Championship this October.

Full-time student status required for the 2026-27 college pickleball season

Five seasons in, college pickleball's eligibility rules got their biggest update yet. The headline changes:

• 12 credit hours required for undergrads, 6 for grad students
• Maximum of 5 consecutive seasons per player
• High school graduation required

See the full list of changes. The update pushes the college game closer to a true varsity model, another step toward pickleball becoming an official college sport.

‍

That's a full year of college pickleball packed into one offseason. Between FAU's run at a repeat, a new global championship, and a rulebook built for the sport's next phase, the 2026-27 college pickleball season has plenty to live up to. Check your DUPR rating before the season starts, or find a College Pickleball Tour event near you.