Pickleball gets into Hong Kong mainstream as world’s top players, fans old and new gather

Loud cheers, thumping bass lines, flashing court lights, and the crisp pop of plastic paddles filled Kai Tak Arena on Sunday as Asia’s largest professional pickleball tournament reached a festive climax.

Moving beyond the quiet formality of traditional court sports, finals day at the Hang Seng Bank Hong Kong Slam 2026, which drew a crowd of more than 2,000 spectators, felt more like a block party than a high-stakes championship, bringing fans within arm’s reach of the world’s elite players.

The HK$8.58 million (US$1.1 million) event assembled 895 players from 22 countries and regions, spanning ages nine to 71 across professional and amateur divisions, with the world’s top-six-ranked players competing here.

Feng Huanhuan, CEO of event organiser F-Sports Promotions Limited, said they were deeply honoured to bring the tournament to Hong Kong for the first time.