January 2026 Pickleball Roundup: Playing with Purpose

January's tournament scene has a different feel this year. You're playing at The Forge in Ottawa, and your entry fees are funding youth ringette programs. Head to Victoria for the Rally for Recovery, and every match supports addiction recovery services. Red Deer's running a corporate charity tournament. When pickleball players get together, the impact reaches well beyond the baseline.

The fundraising angle keeps showing up across the country this month, and it's worth noticing. Rally for Ringette on January 18. Rally for Recovery closing out the month. Even SMASH London's kicking things off with a New Year's charity event. Good games, better cause.

Pickleball Canada hit 90,000 members in 2025, and that momentum's carrying into the new year. While January's tournament calendar runs lighter than peak season, facilities across Ontario and Western Canada are keeping programming strong through the winter months.

January Tournaments: Charity and Competition

Ontario: Fundraising Takes Center Stage

Rally for Ringette | January 18, 2026
Location: The Forge Pickleball Club, Ottawa (1680 Vimont Court, Orléans)
Entry: $87.07 (6 guaranteed games)
Divisions: Novice through Advanced
Details: 11-court facility hosts fundraiser benefiting ringette programs
Register: Eventbrite

SMASH London Events

• New Year's "Diaper Party" Mixed Doubles | January 1, 8:00 AM
  Charity celebration event to kick off 2026
  Info: SMASH Tournaments
• Winter League V3 | Starts January 5
  7-week round robin season: $75 members / $125 non-members
  Prizes for top 3 finishers
  Register: SMASH Tournaments

Looking for the APA Ontario Cup? That was a 2025 event. The APA's rebranding to the "APA Canadian Circuit" for 2026 and expanding nationally. Their first confirmed 2026 event is The Canada Cup in Ottawa, February 4-8. Check apacircuit.ca/events for the updated Ontario schedule.

British Columbia: Three Big Weekends

BC's packing three tournaments into January, and two of them have fundraising at the core.

BC Lung MoneyBall Classic | January 17-18
IPOP Burnaby hosts this fundraising tournament supporting BC Lung Foundation programs.
Register: Pickleball Tournaments

The Forge Open: Rally for Recovery | January 30-Feb 1
Location: Victoria Pickleball Centre
Entry: $65 + $15/event
Registration Deadline: January 16, 2026
Fundraiser supporting addiction recovery programs
Register: Pickleball Tournaments

Chilliwack Winter Tournament | January 30-Feb 1
Location: Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre
Entry: $50-60 + $20/event
Registration Deadline: January 16, 2026
Hot ticket: 215+ players already registered. If you're thinking about this one, don't wait.
Requires DUPR ratings, protective eyewear, and USAP-approved paddles
Register: Pickleball Tournaments

Alberta: First Out of the Gate

Alberta kicks off the 2026 tournament season on January 3-4, with Calgary hosting the first Rally in the Rockies.

Rally in the Rockies | January 3-4
Location: Calgary Pickleball Center (1145 65 Ave NE)
Register: Pickleball Tournaments

Rally in the Rockies - Edmonton | January 17-18
Location: Edmonton Pickleball Center (11420 170 St NW)
Entry: $64.95 (includes tournament package)
Register: Pickleball Tournaments

Pickleball FUNdraiser | January 30
Location: Westerner Park, Red Deer
Corporate charity event benefiting The Outreach Centre and Hockey Alberta Foundation
Info: The Outreach Centre

Where to Play: Ontario's January Programming

Tournament schedule's light, but that doesn't mean the courts are quiet. Ontario facilities are running full programming through January.

Quick Reference Guide

Looking Ahead: CNPL Season 4 Draft Week

The Canadian National Pickleball League is gearing up. Draft registration closes January 19, with Draft Day following on January 27. Seven teams will be filling their rosters for the May 9-10 season opener, including the London Smash, who play their home matches at SMASH London.

This is professional pickleball in Canada. The regular season runs May through September, with Championship Weekend closing out the year on September 26-27.

If you're watching for draft picks or tracking which players land where, the next two weeks matter.

Register Now

With 215+ players already registered for the Chilliwack Winter Tournament (January 30-Feb 1), early registration is essential for BC events. The Rally for Ringette in Ottawa (January 18) and Rally for Recovery in Victoria (January 30-Feb 1) close registration January 16.

Building courts that build community. Total Sport Solutions has installed indoor pickleball facilities at SMASH London, Pickleplex Barrie, Pickleplex Pickering, and CourtX Oakville. From municipal projects to private clubs, TSS delivers turnkey solutions built for Canadian conditions.

Contact us: tsspickleball.ca