Episode 2: Court Ready – Where to Compete, What to Expect & How to Get Started

ABOUT THIS EPISODE //

Welcome to Episode 2 of Pickleball Passport – a RAQT.com podcast, your go-to source for competitive pickleball across Europe and beyond.

This time, we're getting court-ready for 2025 with a deep dive into tournament formats, leagues, must-play events and real advice from players and organizers across the continent.

In this episode, we explore how tournament formats shape your experience, where top players are planning to compete, and which tournaments should be in your calendar for the rest of 2025.

What you'll hear in Episode 2:

• Round Robin, Double Elimination & Team formats – and why they matter
• What makes a tournament "worth traveling for" – according to top players
• Europe's team & league formats, including the UK's Premier Pickleball League
• Special guest interview: Filipe Paszkiewicz from the PEAK League
• Upcoming tournament highlights for the second half of 2025
• What organizers should know to build better events
• PLUS: A special Pickleball giveaway – 6 paddles & 1 set of balls powered by Pickleballcorner.de for European players!

TIME STAMPS //

• 00:00 – Intro
• 02:03 – Tournament formats: world formats & competitive play in Europe
• 06:20 – What to expect when joining your first tournament
• 08:45 – Levels categorized in Europe
• 09:00 – Insights & challenges currently in Europe
• 15:00 – Leagues: Germany, Belgium, LPP Portugal, Serbia, France, UK
• 17:03 – Ed Hares on the UK's Premier Pickleball League
• 22:00 – Circuits & interview with Filipe Paszkiewicz (PEAK League)
• 41:30 – What makes a tournament worth the trip
• 44:15 – Advice for players and organizers
• 49:45 – Must-play tournaments for late 2025
• 57:28 – Giveaway announcement
• 57:54 – Wrap-up & preview of Episode 3

PLAYERS LOUNGE VOICES //

Thanks to these amazing contributors:

• Mike Tonet (Belgium)
• Agostina Nepote (Spain)
• Ed Hares (England – Premier Pickleball League)

EPISODE SPONSOR //
Powered by Pickleballcorner.de – the online store for the European Pickleball community. Europe's home for paddles, gear & more – shipping continent-wide!

INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY – 7 WINNERS, 7 PRIZES //

In partnership with Pickleballcorner.de, we're giving away gear worth over €600!

• 6 paddles from PIBA Sports & Holbrook Pickleball
• 1 set of Franklin x40 balls

Follow @raqtfamily & @pickleballcorner.de on Instagram for details. Closes: June 1, 2025.

TOURNAMENTS COMING UP //

• European Pickleball Championships – September in Rome, Italy, organized by the EPF (national teams + pre-EPC open tournament)
• Hottest Picks: Diadem Halton Open (UK, June), Reballution Cup (Spain, June), Barcelona Open (July), Malta International (June)
• Team Competitions: Lions Brno Open Team Cup – Trenčín, Slovakia (June)
• PEAK Leagues: Stockholm (June 26–29), France (Oct), Madrid (Nov), Finals (Dec/Jan)

SHARE YOUR PB STORIES //
Tell us: What’s your must-play tournament? And what’s your one must-have (besides your paddle) in your tournament bag?
Share on Instagram at @raqtfamily with the hashtag #pickleballpassport.