On April 1, at the My Dinh Indoor Athletics Arena in Hanoi, Vietnam,MB Hanoi Cup 2026kicked off.PPA Tour As the opening event of the 2026 Asia season, the tournament that pickleball fans worldwide are watching has finally started.
This tournament hasabout 800 players in total, amateur and pro,registered, making it one of the largest ever in both scale and intensity. It became a start that once again makes you feel how far the Asian pickleball scene has rapidly expanded. Heated matches continue day after day through Sunday, April 5.
A star-studded lineup where the world’s top seeds line up
The highlight of this tournament is, above all, that top-ranked players are entering in droves. Named as the No. 1 seed in mixed doubles isBen Johns（Ben Johns）. With this player, also called “the Federer of pickleball,” landing on the Asian stage, the local excitement is extraordinary.
The No. 1 seed in both women’s doubles and mixed doubles isAnna Leigh Waters (Anna Leigh Waters）). Her presence, having swept the world while still in her teens, changes the air just by standing on the court. In this tournament too, she is aiming to conquer multiple categories.
Furthermore, strong players such as Federico Staksrud, Kate Fahey, Anna Bright, Hayden Patriquin, Kaitlyn Christian, Tyra Black, Gabe Tardio, and Christian Alshon are also entering. For this many names to gather at one tournament is an exceptional level of depth for an Asian pickleball event.
The venue and the atmosphere of Hanoi
The venue, the My Dinh Indoor Athletics Arena, is one of the largest indoor facilities in Hanoi. The vast, air-conditioned court space is an ideal setting for an international pickleball tournament. Vietnam’s pickleball population has surged over the past few years, and local players are cheering with real passion.
The local excitement at last year’s PPA Asia Hanoi event was also talked about (reference:past reports on the PPA Asia Hanoi Cup), and this year the scale has expanded further. The sight of local players and the world’s top on the same court is exactly the real thrill unique to pickleball.
The PPA Tour Asia 2026 season gets underway in earnest
The MB Hanoi Cup is positioned as the opening event of the PPA Tour Asia 2026 season. The tour is advancing tournaments across Asia, and in Japan too,the PPA Asia Sansan Tokyo Open 2026drew great attention. As a presence leading the pickleball boom across all of Asia, the moves of the PPA Tour Asia can’t be taken off your eyes.
This tournament’s results also tie directly to the ranking points for the whole season. That the world’s top players have come to enter Asian tournaments seriously is itself proof of the level-up across all of Asia.
Kaitlyn Christian’s return to Vietnam is also a talking point
Drawing especially strong attention in this tournament is the entry of Kaitlyn Christian. She has a history of entering Vietnamese tournaments before and gaining popularity through interaction with local fans. Her return this year is being widely covered by local media too, and she gives off the presence of a “Vietnam pickleball ambassador.”
Also, Federico Staksrud, who has plenty of tournament experience in Asia, is reputed to be in even better condition this year. His top clash with Ben Johns looks set to be one of the biggest highlights of the men’s division.
The amateur division is also thriving—feeling the breadth of pickleball’s base
Of the roughly 800 players, a considerable number are amateur players. The experience of competing in the same venue and the same atmosphere as the pros is a culture unique to pickleball. Unlike tennis or badminton, the style where amateurs and pros share the same tournament space makes this sport instantly accessible.
The local community in Hanoi, Vietnam, is also rapidly expanding, and the number of local participants in this tournament is heard to be at an all-time-high level. The experience of “standing on the same court as the pros” nurtures the next generation of players.
Match schedule and spectating information
The tournament is held day after day at the My Dinh Indoor Athletics Arena from Wednesday, April 1 to Sunday, April 5. The detailed schedule and results are updated in real time on the official PPA Tour Asia website (ppatour-asia.com). Online live streaming is also planned, so even those who can’t go in person are encouraged to check it out.
Also, at the recently concludedALW Franklin Clinic (Ho Chi Minh City),Anna Leigh Waters’s overwhelming performance had just been a talking point. In this tournament too, attention is gathering on her aiming for a repeat title.
Summary—Asian pickleball evolves another step
The MB Hanoi Cup 2026 is a tournament that shows the Asian pickleball scene is reaching a genuine “world level.” About 800 players, the scale of gathering the world’s top seeds, and Hanoi as a fanatical host city—all the conditions are in place.
Toward the April 5 finale, we’ll deliver match results and highlight information on pickle-times.com from time to time. The chance to see the world’s top play live in Asia is still precious. Those who can make it in person, by all means!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Where can I buy tickets to watch the MB Hanoi Cup 2026?
A. Purchasing in person is the basic way. Please check the details on the official PPA Tour Asia website (ppatour-asia.com). Whether there are online sales is also announced on the same site.
Q. Which divisions is Ben Johns entering?
A. In this tournament he is scheduled to enter mixed doubles as the No. 1 seed. For his entry in singles and men’s doubles, please check the official draw announcement.
Q. Is there a live stream of the matches?
A. Online streaming is planned on the official PPA Tour Asia channel. The specific platform and streaming schedule are announced on the official social media.
