EPISODE 7 – COUNTRY SPOTLIGHT: GERMANY, SWITZERLAND & AUSTRIA
Stories and voices from the DACH Pickleball community
In this episode of Pickleball Passport, we’re flying straight into the heart of Europe: Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.
Three countries, three unique Pickleball stories – from the legendary Bainbridge Cup in Essen, to Switzerland’s creative Alpine courts, all the way to Austria’s iconic Road to Arlberg tournament finals.
Once again, we hand over the mic to the people who shape the game: players, coaches, and community leaders who live and grow Pickleball every day.
What makes Pickleball in central Europe so special? Where are the best places to play? And how do these countries see their role in shaping the future of Pickleball in Europe?
Sit back, grab your paddle, and join us for this DACH deep dive.
What you’ll hear in Episode 7:
* How Pickleball in Germany grew from its very first club in 2013 to more than 70 clubs today
* Why Switzerland is leading with hubs, innovation, and Europe’s biggest indoor Pickleball arena
* How Austria combines community vibes with pro-level ambitions through the Road to Arlberg and the first Pickleball Academy
* Unique challenges: hall time, youth development, and keeping the sport fun
* A vision for a strong, united European Pickleball community
(00:00)–(03:44)– Intro & Episode Flight Plan
(03:45)–(13:10) – Germany Spotlight with Katherina “Catie” Preis
(15:02)–(20:45)– Switzerland Spotlight with Dominik Kuhn
(21:30)–(27:30) – Austria Spotlight with Stefan Grubmüller
(27:31)–(29:22) – Wrap-Up & Landing
PLAYERS LOUNGE VOICES & GUESTS //
Special thanks to the voices who helped bring this episode to life:
* Katherina Preis – Germany - Instagram: @catieworks [https://www.instagram.com/catieworks/?hl=de]
* Dominik Kuhn – Switzerland - Instagram: @pickleballcorner [https://www.instagram.com/pickleballcorner/] / Website: pickleballhub.ch [https://pickleballhub.ch/en/]
* Stefan Grubmüller – Austria - Instagram: @sg_pickleballaholic [https://www.instagram.com/sg_pickleballaholic/]
MENTIONED LINKS FOR THE SHOWNOTES //
* Interactive map of all Pickleball courts & clubs in Germany: pickleballcorner.de [https://www.pickleballcorner.de/pages/wo-kann-in-deutschland-pickleball-gespielt-werden]
* Europe’s biggest indoor Pickleball arena (7 dedicated courts, Winterthur): pickleballcorner.ch [https://pickleballcorner.ch/blogs/news/europas-grosste-indoor-pickleball-arena-entsteht-in-winterthur?srsltid=AfmBOoqKBAe-tteAwPyDYdctjq-nTr7p3acG7ZeBw3C9_Y0ppoXu09UR]
* Courts in Austria: Indoor facility: Racket Revolution Wiener Neustadt [https://www.racket-revolution.at/] / Outdoor courts Graz: hartbeigraz.at [https://www.hartbeigraz.at/Leben/Sport_und_Freizeit/Padeltennis_Pickleball]
ABOUT RAQT //
RAQT.com [https://raqt.com/] is your court companion for all things pickleball in Europe: From club events to international opens, and now with the RAQT app to track and join tournaments all year round.
Download the RAQT app – available in the Apple App Store [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/raqt-pickleball-family-friends/id1617653147] & Google Play Store [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.boilerplatee&pli=1].
Plan. Play. Compete.
GET IN TOUCH //
Feedback? Want to be featured in the Players Lounge or just want to send some love to the cabin crew Steffie & Moritz? Email us at: podcast@raqt.com [podcast@raqt.com] or send us a DM on Instagram @Pickleball_Passport_Podcast [https://www.instagram.com/pickleball_passport_podcast/].
