Southampton, UK – June 2024

The European Pickleball Championships 2024 served up a spectacular showcase of talent, sportsmanship, and international camaraderie — and Team Ireland was proud to be part of it.

Hosted in Southampton, the event brought together Europe’s top pickleball nations to compete in an electric atmosphere that blended high-level competition with the unmistakable buzz of a growing, passionate community.

🎾 Flying the Flag: Ireland’s Journey

Ireland competed across the 18+ and 50+ Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Doubles categories, with players giving it everything on the court. Whether battling in a close tiebreak or supporting teammates from the sidelines, the spirit of Team Ireland was strong throughout the tournament.

Draped in our striking green Kukri kits, our athletes played with heart, grit, and a sense of pride in representing our island on a major European stage. There were narrow defeats and hard-fought victories — but every moment was a step forward in our development.

🌍 A Festival of European Pickleball

Sponsored by DUPR, the tournament wasn’t just about medals — it was a celebration of how far pickleball has come in Europe. From the cheers echoing through the venue to players exchanging high-fives and stories between matches, the atmosphere was electric.

We witnessed incredible rallies, emerging rivalries, and an overwhelming sense that pickleball in Europe has turned a corner. Countries like Spain, Germany, France, and the Netherlands showed great depth and talent. But it was the home nation, England, who clinched the overall title this time — well deserved!

💬 What This Means for Irish Pickleball

For Team Ireland, the championships were both a challenge and an inspiration. We’ve seen where the bar is set, and we’re more motivated than ever to rise to meet it.

What’s Next?

🟢 More international match experience — especially in fast-paced, high-pressure settings
🟢 Building strength in depth, with more players competing at 4.0+ levels
🟢 Youth development, to nurture the next generation of Irish talent
🟢 Regular national squad training, simulating match conditions and building team chemistry

With the next European Championships set for Rome in 2025, we now have a clear goal: to return stronger, more prepared, and ready to push Ireland further up the European rankings.

🙌 Thank You

To our sponsors Kukri, thank you for making us look and feel like a team. To DUPR, for supporting the development of competitive pickleball in Europe. And to the organisers, volunteers, and fans, your passion is what makes events like this so special.

To all the Irish fans cheering us on from home and abroad — thank you. We felt your support every step of the way.

This is just the beginning. 🇮🇪💚
See you in Rome 2025!

🏅 Medal Results Recap

While Ireland didn’t medal this time, here’s a look at the standout performances from across Europe:

🥇 Overall Winners: England
🥈 Spain
🥉 Germany

Team Ireland finished proudly mid-table, with standout matches in both the 50+ and 18+ mixed divisions, and several close contests that show promise for next year.