THE PADDLE REGISTER · COMPANY FILE

Franklin

Bought the best player in the world and built her a paddle. Lost the Johnsons the same month. One of two brands still fighting JOOLA at the ITC.

Based
Massachusetts
Founded
1946
Ownership
Family-owned
Lines
C45 Aurelius · FS Tour · Signature
Pros
Anna Leigh Waters · Hayden Patriquin
Release cadence
Signature-led.
Patents
Brand is contesting JOOLA's patent case

2 IN THE REGISTER · NEWEST FIRST

12
Jan 16, 2026 · $229.99 · Honeycomb + foam (Gen 3) C45 Aurelius The signing of the year gets a signature paddle. Extremely fast, spinny and controlled, short on free power. Built for 4.0+ hands players. The 12.7mm is Waters' own spec. USA Pickleball: approved · UPA-A: approved
12
Q1 2025 · $229.99 · Honeycomb + foam (Gen 3) C45° (Hybrid, then Dynasty and Tempo) A very light propulsion-style paddle that reviewers treated as a platform for weighting: Pickleball Effect said it ranges from all-court to power depending on tape and advised against it for players who want a stock setup. The Kitchen liked the pop at the kitchen line and found resets harder. Franklin expanded it to five models on June 12 and it was nominated for The Dink's 2025 Paddle of the Year. USA Pickleball: approved · UPA-A: approved

EVERYTHING DATED, NEWEST FIRST

  1. Mar 5, 2026 C45 Aurelius Aurelius passed USA Pickleball approval; the 14mm and 16mm models were also added to the UPA-A list the same day. pickletip.com ↗
  2. Mar 1, 2026 C45 Aurelius Pre-orders were scheduled to begin shipping. thedinkpickleball.com ↗
  3. Feb 6, 2026 C45 Aurelius The Aurelius received UPA-A certification, clearing it for pro play; USA Pickleball certification was still outstanding. thedinkpickleball.com ↗
  4. Jan 16, 2026 C45 Aurelius Aurelius pre-orders opened in 12.7mm, 14mm and 16mm. pickleballrookie.com ↗
  5. Jan 8, 2026 C45 Aurelius Franklin announced its long-term deal with Anna Leigh Waters, showing the unreleased C45 Aurelius. pickleballrookie.com ↗
  6. Feb 15, 2025 C45° (Hybrid, then Dynasty and Tempo) Launch: Q1 · exact date unverified; five-model series Jun 12. thekitchenpickle.com ↗

the whole register · the 2026 calendar · CC0