Sports apparel maker DRYWORLD Brands (IBGR) has become the official apparel partner of the amateur world championship "EPIC" held in Singapore. EPIC stands for Elite Pickleball International Championship and holds its first world championship in Singapore in April 2026. The two companies have signed a multi-year contract, advancing wear supply to players and staff and the rollout of co-branded merchandise.
Becoming the official apparel partner under a multi-year contract
DRYWORLD participates as EPIC's "official fashion, technical, and apparel partner" under a multi-year contract. It supplies compression wear, training apparel, and lifestyle gear to the world championship's competing players and staff.
The scope of supply extends beyond wear to footwear, accessories, and fan wear. It will also launch a co-branded e-commerce line, aiming for sales in the rapidly growing pickleball market.
First held in Singapore in April 2026
EPIC holds its first world championship in Singapore in April 2026. Touting large prize money for an amateur-oriented tournament, it starts with a guaranteed amount of 50,000 dollars (about 7.85 million yen). Depending on the increase in participants, the total prize money is expected to rise to an estimated 100,000 dollars (about 15.7 million yen).
Overview of the contract and tournament
Here are the key figures of the partnership. Prize money is given with a guideline conversion at 157 yen per dollar.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Apparel supply | DRYWORLD Brands（IBGR） |
| Tournament host | EPIC（Elite Pickleball International Championship） |
| Location and timing | Singapore / April 2026 |
| Prize money (guaranteed) | 50,000 dollars (about 7.85 million yen) |
| Prize money (projected ceiling) | Estimated 100,000 dollars (about 15.7 million yen) |
| Contract term | Multi-year |
A run-up from before the opening with product drops
The two companies' efforts got underway with a design collaboration announcement in November 2025. In the following December, they carried out a drop of limited merchandise, building up buzz in stages toward the April 2026 world championship.
The flow of raising the heat not only at the main tournament but also with a pre-opening goods rollout can be called a scheme befitting an apparel brand.
The potential of amateur tournament x apparel
The point that an apparel brand is putting real effort into a world championship not only for pros but for amateurs is worth noting. The amateur tier, with a broad grassroots competitive population, makes it easy to anticipate real demand for wear and goods.
By combining limited supply for players with e-commerce for fans, it is trying to create a cycle of merchandise sales starting from the tournament.
Summary
DRYWORLD has become the official apparel partner of the EPIC World Championship held in Singapore in April 2026. Under a multi-year contract, it supplies wear and co-branded merchandise to a tournament touting prize money from a guaranteed 50,000 dollars up to an estimated maximum of 100,000 dollars. The course of an apparel strategy centered on an amateur tournament is in question.
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Source:GlobeNewswire／DRYWORLD Partners with EPIC / The Globe and Mail／DRYWORLD Partners with EPIC
