Opals crowned 2026 ahm NPL Champions: Inside the Finals Weekend

Three days of high-stakes competition, some high-quality pickle, unforgettable moments at The Jar - Maidstone brought the 2026 ahm NPL season to a close.

After an exciting season of competition, a Mid-Season Festival, a reshuffle, the ahm NPL 2026 season came to an end the past weekend. Everything on the line, $150,000 prize pool and the title to claim.

Hosted at The Jar - Maidstone, the three-day event brought together the Pro Tour and Division 2 for the first time, creating a shared national stage for players, teams and supporters from across Australia, and, for the first time in NPL history, New Zealand.

The Finals weekend showcased some of the best players in Australia and New Zealand. There was elite competition, emerging talent, amazing energy and the unmistakable sense that everyone in the venue was part of something bigger than the matches themselves.

Three days later, Opals lifted the Pro Tour title and Taika became Division 2's inaugural champions.

A Friday playoff decided the bracket

The weekend began on Friday with the Pro Tour playoffs, where Reef, Roos and Dinkers battled for the final places in the eight-team Finals bracket.

Roos and Dinkers each secured a win, advancing as the seventh and eighth seeds. Reef’s season came to an end in ninth, but the playoff round set the tone for the days ahead.

With the bracket complete, Saturday and Sunday brought a dramatic finals series, featuring qualifying finals, elimination matches, semi-finals and preliminary finals across both divisions.

Players who made an impact: Pro Tour

Opals complete a dominant run

The Opals were crowned 2026 ahm NPL Pro Tour champions after a commanding 3–0 victory over Heat in Sunday’s final.

Captain Crystal Mildwaters led the title-winning team alongside Nicola Schoeman, Nicholas Malagaeanas and Josh Barber. The Opals took the opening two sets 22–16 and 22–15 before closing out the championship with a 15–10 win.

Their road to the title was marked by composure, consistency and a strong performance throughout the season. After defeating Outback 3–0 in the qualifying final, the Opals overcame Adders 3–1 in the preliminary final to earn their place in the championship match.

Heat claimed silver after a superb finals campaign. Captained by Selina Turulja, the team defeated Adders 3–2 in the qualifying final and Outback 3–2 in the preliminary final before meeting the Opals for the title.

Outback secured bronze with a 3–1 win over Adders, rounding out the Pro Tour podium.

The Golden Pickle, and $5,000 to Nicola Schoeman

For Schoeman, the weekend delivered an additional honour. The Opals player was named the 2026 Golden Pickle Pro Tour Finals MVP, earning the prestigious $5,000 winner-takes-all prize after votes from the finals commentators, referees and an NPL representative. Nicola keeps on showing us why she's one of the strongest players on the scene. Even in a field of high competition, Nicola sets herself apart consistently. 

Taika make Division 2 history

Taika became the first Division 2 champions to be crowned alongside the Pro Tour, defeating Outback 3–1 in the Division 2 Final.

Captain Ela Vakaukamea led a memorable campaign with Elena Tavalea, Semisi Fanguna and Vena Fonokalafi. After falling to Stingers 3–2 in the qualifying final, Taika responded with consecutive wins over Comets and 29ers to return to the championship match.

Their final opponent, Outback, had also fought through a demanding path, defeating Roos 3–2 in the semi-final and Stingers 3–2 in the preliminary final.

29ers completed the Division 2 podium with a 3–2 victory over Stingers in the bronze final.

The introduction of Division 2 to the main Finals weekend added a new layer of depth to the event- and made history in more ways than one. For the first time, New Zealand teams competed in Division 2, bringing a fresh sense of energy, personality and occasion to The Jar - Maidstone.

New Zealand brings the energy

The New Zealand teams made an immediate impact throughout the weekend, both on and off the court.

Players, supporters and families travelled across the Tasman, bringing a distinct energy that lifted the entire venue. Their enthusiasm was infectious, their matches were compelling and their presence added to the sense of connection that made the Finals feel truly national.

Ela Vakaukamea was named the Division 2 Finals MVP after an outstanding campaign, while Taika’s championship performance reflected her leadership, skill and composure under pressure.

There were also standout moments from New Zealand’s emerging players. Sophie Hawkes, just 14 years old, commanded the stage with confidence and maturity well beyond her years. Her performance was a reminder of the depth of talent entering the sport, and of the exciting future ahead for pickleball across the region.

Across the three days, the competition delivered raw emotion, power and plenty of drama. Players celebrated, regrouped, fought through pressure and supported one another, often within minutes of stepping off court. That combination of intensity and connection is what makes the NPL so compelling to watch and so meaningful to be part of.

Thank you to the NPL community

Championships may belong to the teams holding the trophies, but a weekend like this is built by an entire community.

Thank you to every player who competed with courage, intensity and respect. To the captains, coaches, referees, commentators, volunteers, venue staff, families and supporters: your contribution made the Finals possible. Thank you to our sponsors, without whom the event would not be possible. The ahm Rest and Recovery Zone was a pivotal part of finals, providing players a place to recharge and play their best. Our various sponsors, including Leapmotor, Joola, DUPR, Franklin, Laykold, Squealing Pig, South Ave and LADER contributed majorly in making the event what is was.

Thank you to the teams who travelled from across Australia, and to our friends from New Zealand who brought so much atmosphere, warmth and energy to the event.

And thank you to The Jar - Maidstone for hosting the 2026 ahm NPL Finals. From the first playoff match on Friday to the final point on Sunday, the venue provided the stage for a weekend that will be remembered for its competition, its characters and its community.

Congratulations to the Opals, the 2026 ahm NPL Pro Tour champions, and to Taika, the inaugural Division 2 champions to lift the title alongside the Pro Tour.

The season may be over, but the momentum is only beginning.