Following #1 New York Times Bestseller Operation Trick Shot, “Dude Perfect + Panda” series continues with new book releasing in September 2026.
Dude Perfect continues expanding its family entertainment franchise across books, podcasts, live events, and new platforms to reach broader audiences
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 26, 2026) – Internet icons and leading sports entertainment company Dude Perfect, alongside Tommy Nelson, an imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, today announced Match Day Mayhem (9781400217120), the second book in the Dude Perfect + Panda middle grade fiction series. Releasing September 22, 2026, the new title follows the success of Operation Trick Shot, which debuted as an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. Written for readers ages 8–12, the series brings the beloved Dude Perfect personalities to middle school for new adventures featuring tricks, flips, fist bumps, and more.
Members of Dude Perfect exclusively announced the new book on June 25 to attendees of the opening show of the Squad Games tour at North Charleston Coliseum in Charleston, SC.
Each book in the Dude Perfect + Panda series features the Dudes embarking on global sports-related mysteries and adventures where they believe they’re saving the day through their special talents. They are unaware that, behind the scenes, their trusty sidekick Panda is helping them succeed. With loads of clean humor, deep friendship, and plenty of sports action, Match Day Mayhem sends the five best friends on a brand-new adventure packed with tricks, twists, and teamwork, this time following the Dudes across the pond to London for a non-stop British soccer adventure.“
Seeing how kids and families connected with Operation Trick Shot reinforced why we wanted to create this series in the first place, and Match Day Mayhem is a chance to keep building on that story,” said Dude Perfect member Cory Cotton. “From the beginning, we wanted this series to capture the friendship, teamwork, creativity, and curiosity that drives everything we do at Dude Perfect. This next story takes readers on a new journey, with plenty of twists, laughs, and sports action along the way, and we can’t wait for readers to experience it together.”
Featuring bold, comic-style illustrations in each chapter, Match Day Mayhem combines sports, mystery, clean humor, and old-fashioned teamwork in a fast-paced, entertaining story for middle grade readers, while also sharing real-world guidance for navigating sticky situations.
“We’re thrilled with the success of Operation Trick Shot and the response from readers and parents,” said Tommy Nelson publisher Shannon Marchese. “Match Day Mayhem delivers more of what Dude Perfect is known for: sports, hilarity, and adventure, and we can’t wait for readers to dive into the next chapter of the Dude Perfect + Panda series.”
Cory Cotton, Coby Cotton, Garrett Hilbert, Cody Jones, and Tyler Toney—former college roommates at Texas A&M University—founded Dude Perfect, which has grown into a leading entertainment company producing premium, family-friendly content across digital, live, publishing, and theatrical platforms. Over the past 17 years, the Dudes have built a global fan community of more than 115 million followers through their signature blend of sports, comedy, competition, and trick-shot content.
Dude Perfect continues to grow across live events, audio, and publishing, bringing the same fun, adventure, competition, and storytelling that fans know from its videos to new audiences and experiences. The group nearly sold out its 2025 Hero Tour, recently launched the 22-city Squad Games Tour, built a chart-topping sports podcast with “Almost Athletes with Dude Perfect,” and published bestselling books including Operation Trick Shot, Dude Perfect: 101 Tricks, Tips, and Cool Stuff, and Good Night, Dude Perfect. The Dude Perfect + Panda series extends that momentum, bringing the brand’s signature blend of friendship, humor, creativity, and sports-fueled adventure to a new generation of readers.
For more information, or to receive a review copy of Match Day Mayhem or Operation Trick Shot, contact Sarah Van Cleve, Publicity Manager, at sarah.vancleve@harpercollins.
For more info and assets about Dude Perfect, see here:
- Dude Perfect Website: https://dudeperfect.com/
- Dude Perfect Facebook: www.facebook.com/DudePerfect/ (20M followers)
- Dude Perfect Instagram: www.instagram.com/dudeperfect/ (13M followers)
- Dude Perfect YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/
dudeperfect (61.8M subscribers)
About Dude Perfect
Dude Perfect is the leading creator-founded entertainment company focused on family-friendly sports and lifestyle content. Founded in 2009 by five college friends, Tyler Toney, Cory Cotton, Coby Cotton, Garrett Hilbert, and Cody Jones, making sports trickshot videos, Dude Perfect’s YouTube channel has become the biggest sports account on YouTube with more than 60 million subscribers, featuring celebrities and athletes like Steph Curry, Serena Williams, Luka Doncic, Caitlin Clark, and CeeDee Lamb. Dallas-based Dude Perfect has since expanded into a diversified media business across video content, popular simulcasts for professional sports like the NFL on Amazon, a best-selling toy in Walmart, and live tours.
About Tommy Nelson
Tommy Nelson® is the children’s division of Thomas Nelson. As a leading provider of Christian content, Tommy Nelson publishes a wide variety of high-quality, enjoyable products that are consistent with the teachings found in the Bible. Tommy Nelson’s award-winning products are designed to expand children’s imaginations and nurture their faith while inspiring them to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit www.tommynelson.com.
Media contact:
Sarah Van Cleve, Publicity Manager, (615) 902-1184, Sarah.VanCleve@harpercollins.com
