From April 1 to 5, 2026, the “MB Hanoi Cup 2026 (MB Hanoi Cup)” was held in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. This is thefirst international tournament held in Asia by the PPA Tour,and it became a milestone symbolizing the spread of pickleball to the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific region of recent years.
Tournament overview
| Item | Details |
| Name | MB Hanoi Cup 2026 |
| Period | April 1 to 5, 2026 |
| Venues | My Dinh Indoor Athletics Arena (Hanoi, Vietnam) |
| Number of participants | About 800 (a mix of amateur and pro) |
| PPA points | 1,000 points to the winner (equivalent to U.S. domestic open tournaments) |
| Official ball | JOOLA HC-40 |
Historic significance—PPA’s first Asian edition
The PPA Tour (Professional Pickleball Association) has held numerous tournaments a year, centered on North America, butthis is the first time it has held a tour in Asia.From the perspective of pickleball’s internationalization, the significance this tournament holds is very great.
Furthermore, the pro player who boasts the most titles in pickleball history,Anna Leigh Waters (Anna Leigh Waters）for whom this washer first overseas tournament,also drew attention. With the world’s best player appearing on an Asian stage for the first time, the pickleball fervor across all of Asia rose another notch.
The “JOOLA HC-40”—an Asia-spec slow ball
Several participating pros testified that the official ball used in this tournament, the “JOOLA HC-40,” was“considerably slower”than the ball usually used at U.S. domestic tournaments. In pickleball, where ball speed greatly affects gameplay, the choice of ball is an important element that shapes tactics and how a match develops.
It is drawing attention as a ball choice suited to Asia’s high-temperature, high-humidity environment, showing that an “Asian standard” for the Asia tour is emerging.
Notable pro players and the format
More than 25 top U.S. pros participated, including Anna Leigh Waters,Ben JohnsAnna Bright, Hayden Patriquin, and Christian Alshon,waging fierce battles together with pro and amateur players from the Asia-Pacific region.
The tournament format adopts a “progressive draw method,” characterized by a compact progression that gets through the round of 32 and the round of 16 within the same day.
Asian pickleball—the ripple effect on Japan
This tournament was held in Vietnam, but it carries important meaning for Japan’s pickleball community too. The establishment of the PPA Asia Tour suggeststhe possibility that an official international tournament will be held in Japan too in the near future..
In India, the “India Open,” sanctioned by the IPA (International Pickleball Association), was held for the first time in early April, with more than 1,500 participants from over 15 countries. Playing populations are also surging in South Korea and Taiwan, and the pickleball fervor across the Asia-Pacific region is certainly rising.
Also,Domestically, a dedicated facility with six courts opened in Sakai City,and so on, and in Japan too the development of infrastructure is advancing steadily.
Summary
The MB Hanoi Cup 2026 became a historic tournament showing that the sport of pickleball has certainly begun to put down roots in Asia. With the sight realized of the world’s top players traveling from the U.S. to Asia and competing against regional players,The globalization of pickleball has entered a new phaseyou could say.
We'll be watching how the PPA Asia Tour develops from here, and whether a Japan stop becomes a possibility.
References:The Dink Pickleball, “MB Hanoi Cup Tournament Preview” (2026)
