Pickleball Expansion in Asia: Pickleball is gaining momentum in Asia as the 2025 JOOLA Pickleball Legends Tour brings top players and tennis icons to Vietnam and China. The tour features clinics, exhibitions, and product demonstrations, helping introduce the sport to new audiences.
Top Players and Legends Join the Tour
The JOOLA tour includes star pickleball players Ben Johns, Anna Bright, Brooke Buckner, Tyson McGuffin, Collin Johns, and Zoey Chao Yi Wang. They are joined by tennis legends Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, adding excitement and credibility to the event. With the upcoming launch of PPA Tour Asia and MLP Asia, the timing is ideal for growing the sport in the region.
“Asia firstly is the most populous continent in the world and secondly, we’re really good at racket sports, whether that’s tennis, table tennis or badminton, there’s really that natural affinity for the sport itself,” said UPA Asia Managing Director, Kimberly Koh, in a Mar. 28 story by Kimberly Kwek of The Strait Times.
“So we started working to see how we could bring these two properties into Asia.” – (Kimberly Koh)
View this post on Instagram
Expanding Opportunities for Players
A report from Bonafide Research predicts that pickleball participation in Asia could grow by more than 24.5% annually from 2024 to 2029. The UPA’s Asia Pickleball Trailblazers Program will also help develop professional players. Starting in April, selected players will train in the U.S. for three months under pro mentorship and compete in PPA Tour and MLP events. Graduates will receive a 2025-26 UPA Asia Touring Contract.
“After the players have trained, they need a platform to shine, so that’s when the PPA Tour in Asia comes into play… in order to provide as much opportunity as possible for people to have access to seeing and also playing at the best events in the world. Once we build that base on what the pro level looks like and provide the opportunity for the amateurs to play, that’s where we want to take that into the next level again, which comes (via) Major League Pickleball.” – (koh)
View this post on Instagram
Pickleball’s Growing Popularity in Asia
Zoey Wang, a Taiwanese pickleball pro, has seen firsthand how quickly the sport is spreading.
“Everyone is switching from tennis or badminton or ping pong, everyone’s trying to help it get better and better. Asia, like the other countries, especially Vietnam or India, they’re creating more pickleball courts and that’s very helpful (to grow pickleball).” – (Wang)
The long-term goal is for pickleball to gain more international recognition.
“Our hope is that by developing the PPA Tour, by developing the players, there is that media attention on the sport itself and that can help it catch the attention of other multi-sport Games, whether it’s the SEA (Southeast Asian), Asian or Olympic Games.” – (koh)
News in Brief: Pickleball Expansion in Asia
The 2025 JOOLA Pickleball Legends Tour is showcasing the sport in Vietnam and China. Top players and tennis legends are participating in clinics and exhibitions. With PPA Tour Asia and MLP Asia launching soon, interest in pickleball is soaring. The UPA is also developing talent through its Asia Pickleball Trailblazers Program.
ALSO READ: Zoey Wang Joins Pickleball Legends on JOOLA Tour Across Vietnam and China