PROFLEX. THE SURFACE LEADING PICKLEBALL FORWARD.

Pickleball is no longer asking whether it belongs on the world stage. It is building the stage.

From August 11 through 16, 2026, the Proflex English OPEN will bring thousands of players to the NEC Birmingham for six days of competition. The event will be played across 62 purpose-built Proflex courts, creating one of the largest professional pickleball environments ever assembled under one roof.

As headline sponsor of the 2026 event and Official Court Surface Provider through 2028, Proflex is doing far more than placing its name alongside the tournament. It is creating the playing environment itself.

That distinction matters. The court is not a backdrop to pickleball. It is part of every point.

The Surface Beneath Every Point

At tournament level, players expect the ball to respond predictably, their footing to feel secure and the pace of play to remain consistent from the opening rounds through the finals. Organizers need a surface that can withstand intensive use, support efficient scheduling and present the sport at a professional standard.

When dozens of courts operate at the same time, consistency becomes even more important. A change in grip, bounce or pace from one court to another can affect how players move, make decisions and compete.

Proflex is engineered around that requirement: dependable playability, durable performance and a clear, professional finish. At the English OPEN, that standard will extend across the entire venue.

62 Courts, One Playing Standard

The challenge at an event of this scale is not simply to build 62 courts. It is to make Court 62 play like Court 1.

Proflex has designed custom and bespoke courts for this event using years of history with temporary tennis surfaces for the professional games. Across the venue, the courts have been prepared to deliver consistent ball response, reliable traction, strong color definition and a unified professional presentation.

For players, that means confidence in the surface beneath them. For officials, it means a more consistent competition environment. For organisers, it means a court system built to support a demanding six-day event.

This is where specialist sports surfacing proves its value. The best surface should not become the story during a match. It should allow the players, the competition and the atmosphere to take center stage.

Setting the Standard for Pickleball Surfaces

Proflex is not treating pickleball as an add-on to a traditional court portfolio. Its dedicated pickleball systems are designed around the way the sport is played today and the way facilities need to operate tomorrow.

The Proflex range includes professional acrylic systems, cushioned polyurethane systems and modular indoor solutions for permanent and temporary applications. That breadth allows clubs, tournament organizers, schools, community facilities and commercial operators to select the right system for their level of play, usage, budget and installation requirements.

This combination of performance and choice is why Proflex is setting the standard for pickleball surfacing. It can support the highest level of tournament play while also giving everyday facilities a professional-grade platform on which to grow the game.

From Har-Tru Heritage to Proflex Innovation

Har-Tru has spent decades helping clubs, contractors, facility owners and athletes create better court environments. The strategic partnership with Surftech Surfaces, the UK manufacturer and brand owner of Proflex, brings together Har-Tru's global reach and court expertise with Surftech's product development, manufacturing capability and technical service.

In 2026, Har-Tru has transitioned its acrylic, cushion and polyurethane hard court offering in the United States and Canada to the Proflex line. The result is a broader, stronger surface portfolio backed by established technical knowledge and a shared commitment to quality, innovation and customer support.

For pickleball customers, that partnership offers more than a coating. It provides a complete route from early specification and system selection to installation guidance, long-term performance and ongoing service.

From Major Tournaments to Everyday Facilities

The English OPEN is a powerful demonstration of Proflex at scale, but the larger opportunity lies in what the event represents.

Pickleball facilities are becoming more ambitious. Players expect dedicated courts rather than improvised spaces. Clubs need surfaces that can manage high participation levels. Commercial operators need durable systems that protect the quality of the customer experience. Communities and schools need inclusive courts that encourage people to start playing and keep playing.

Proflex is built for that full spectrum. The same principles on display at the NEC, consistent playability, dependable performance and player-focused design, can be specified for permanent club courts, public facilities, indoor venues and community projects.

A professional surface should not be reserved for professionals. It should help every player enjoy a better game.

A Partnership Built Beyond One Tournament

Proflex's appointment as Official Court Surface Provider through 2028 gives the partnership time to develop alongside the event. It creates a long-term platform to support player experience, refine the tournament environment and demonstrate what professional pickleball surfacing can deliver at scale.

For Har-Tru, the partnership also reflects a broader commitment to the future of court sports. Clay, acrylic, cushioned and modular systems each serve different players and facilities, but the objective is the same: create a surface that supports better play and a facility that performs for the long term.

The English OPEN brings that commitment into sharp focus. Thousands of players. Six days of competition. One professional playing standard.

The Surface Leading Pickleball Forward

Pickleball's next chapter will be built on better courts. Not simply more courts, but surfaces that make play more consistent, facilities more durable and events more professional.

At the 2026 Proflex English OPEN, that standard will be visible across 62 courts and felt in every point.

One tournament. One playing standard. Proflex beneath it all.