Malaysia Pickleball Championship 2025: The Alliance Bank KL Open Pickleball Championship 2025 kicks off in Kuala Lumpur on April 25, drawing 648 players from 13 countries. The three-day event, the largest pickleball tournament in Malaysia’s history, highlights the country’s rapid growth in the sport and its strong partnership with DUPR, which powers the event’s competitive framework.
Malaysia’s Pickleball Rise
Pickleball in Malaysia is thriving, with the country ranking third globally for total DUPR users. It is the second fastest-growing pickleball nation worldwide, and Kuala Lumpur is now the #2 fastest-growing DUPR city. Malaysia boasts nearly 300 DUPR clubs, over 1,500 courts, and more than 200,000 active players.
“DUPR coming up with the pickleball rating was a great way for people to play on their level and aspire to go further,” said Samuel Siew, tournament organizer.
“It has been a constant conversation among pickleball players asking each other ‘what’s your DUPR?’ or ‘hey I’m 4.0 or 3.5’ and I think it’s a great way to sort of help the community to find their own bubble, to find their own groups to play and improve and it just sets that whole road map for a player or aspiring player.” – (siew)
Why the Event Matters
The Alliance Bank KL Open is more than just a tournament. It marks a significant shift in Malaysia’s pickleball scene, with players from 13 countries competing. The Youth & Sports Minister will attend the opening ceremony, and the event will run for 12+ hours daily over three days. A Pickleball Summit will also take place, bringing together leaders to discuss the sport’s future.
DUPR’s role is vital in ensuring fair competition, offering players accurate ratings that help them find suitable brackets, whether they are intermediates or aspiring pros.
“Our player with the highest DUPR rating playing this tournament is Colin Wong. Colin is number #1 in Malaysia with a DUPR of 5.1, definitely a player to watch.” – (siew)
What’s Next for Malaysia?
With an estimated 200,000 active pickleball players, Malaysia is building infrastructure to support its growing community. The country has 330 pickleball centers and around 1,500 courts. This tournament highlights Malaysia’s commitment to creating a social and competitive environment for players.
“The reason this tournament filled up so fast? The community and the social part of it and that’s the power of sports; you don’t need to speak the same language or share the same religion. Through pickleball you connect with one another, you meet new friends, you become a little bit more competitive and you are more excited to play sports to get active.” – (siew)
Impact on the Sport
DUPR’s involvement in Malaysia is playing a significant role in the country’s pickleball expansion. This event, and the rise of the sport, are just the beginning. With growing infrastructure and community-driven growth, Malaysia is becoming a pickleball powerhouse in Southeast Asia.
News in Brief: Malaysia Pickleball Championship 2025
The Alliance Bank KL Open Pickleball Championship 2025, held in Kuala Lumpur, will feature 648 players from 13 countries. The event showcases Malaysia’s pickleball growth, supported by DUPR’s rating system. The tournament is expected to attract significant international attention, with a Pickleball Summit also taking place.
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