For the first time in Thailand, the Thailand Pickleball Association is hosting the major Asian events ‘Asia Pickleball Junior Open 2026’ and ‘Asia Pickleball University Championship 2026’, setting a record with over 1,000 entries from more than 480 athletes representing 15 countries.
On 29 July 2026, the Thailand Pickleball Association (THPA) made history for the Thai pickleball community by serving as host for the Asia Pickleball Junior Open 2026 and Asia Pickleball University Championship 2026. These events are sanctioned by the Asia Federation of Pickleball (AFP) and the World Pickleball Federation (WPF), with the College of Sports Science and Technology at Mahidol University providing the venue.
The opening ceremony was honored by the presence of Mr. Suwat Liptapanlop, former Deputy Prime Minister, who presided over the opening amidst a lively atmosphere filled with rising athletes, coaches, referees, and officials from over 1,000 participants representing various countries across Asia.
The opening ceremony chairman said, “I would like to call on the government and all related agencies to cooperate in supporting the establishment of the ‘Thailand Pickleball Association’. The key goal of developing and promoting pickleball in Thailand is not only to increase its popularity among the public but also to advance Thai athletes to excel internationally and ultimately achieve the world’s number one ranking, similar to the successes we have had in golf and badminton.”
He added that this competition presents a significant opportunity to distribute income to local communities. Pickleball is becoming a new economic driver, attracting visitors to hotels and tourist attractions in the surrounding areas.
Mr. Naphajorn Yontarak, President of the Thailand Pickleball Association, stated that hosting these competitions marks an important milestone for Thailand and has been met with overwhelming response, especially for the Asia Pickleball Junior Open 2026, which has over 480 athletes registered with more than 1,000 entries from 15 countries including Vietnam, India, Taipei, Malaysia, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Macau, Tanzania, the United States, and others.
“This record-breaking number of applicants reflects the rapid growth of pickleball in Asia and serves as a crucial platform for young Thai athletes to compete with the continent’s top players on home soil,” he said.
The Asia Pickleball Junior Open 2026 will be held from 28 to 30 July 2026, followed by the Asia Pickleball University Championship 2026 from 31 July to 3 August 2026, at the Mahidol University Tennis Courts in Salaya. The events aim to identify the best youth, university, and general athletes from across Asia.
