UTR Sports is announcing Franklin Sports, a leading manufacturer and retailer in the sporting goods industry, as the official ball partner of UTR Sports and the UTR Sports Pickleball Amateur Series.

The UTR Sports Pickleball Amateur Series is a new year-round series of pickleball tournaments held across the United States throughout 2024. Two of the Pickleball Amateur Series events are USA Pickleball Golden Ticket qualifiers, where players have a chance to earn the exclusive opportunity to pre-register for the 2024 USA Pickleball National Championships.  

Sign up today for the most informative newsletter in pickleball from The Dink! 

The UTR Sports Pickleball Amateur Series will cultivate a world-class experience for amateur players and offer value that exceeds registration fees by providing participants with multiple guaranteed games, competitive matches, and quality playing environments.  

All participants in the Pickleball Amateur Series will compete with Franklin X-40 pickleballs, including at the Golden Ticket events. Franklin Sports will work with UTR Sports to develop exclusive member benefits for UTR Power Subscribers.

“Franklin Sports is the ideal partner for UTR Sports as we continue to innovate the sport and improve the player experience with our rating, technology solutions, and the newly launched UTR Sports Pickleball Amateur Series,” said Mark Leschly, CEO and Chairman of UTR Sports. “The partnership between UTR Sports and Franklin Sports will provide players at all levels with the industry’s highest-quality balls and the best possible on-court experience.”

The first stop of the UTR Sports Pickleball Amateur Series will be just outside of Atlanta in Rome, GA on March 15-17, 2024, followed by Dallas, Texas on April 5-7, 2024. As part of the Series, the UTR Sports Golden Ticket events will take place May 29-June 2, 2024 in Macon, GA, and July 10-14, 2024 in Arvada, CO. Divisions will include men’s and women’s singles and doubles, and mixed doubles, at multiple skill and age levels.  

Registration is open for Pickleball Amateur Series events – click here to view events and sign up.

"Franklin Sports is thrilled to become the official ball partner of UTR Sports,” said Adam Franklin, President of Franklin Sports. “Franklin Sports and UTR Sports are aligned in supporting the growth of pickleball and providing players with the opportunities to compete and succeed.  Together, we aim to cultivate a world-class playing environment for amateurs across the U.S. and look forward to seeing Franklin pickleballs in action throughout the series.”

The USA Pickleball-approved Franklin X-40 balls are the top pickleball in the sport and ball of choice for over 500 tournaments worldwide each year. The X-40 is designed to withstand hours of competitive play. The X-40 is also the official ball of USA Pickleball and the US Open Pickleball Championships.