Asia Pickleball Junior Open Sets New Benchmark for Junior Pickleball in Asia

Joint news release from AFP and WPF

The Asia Pickleball Junior Open, now in its third year, concluded its inaugural edition in Thailand after three exceptional days of competition, setting a new benchmark for junior pickleball in the region. Bringing together the next generation of athletes from across Asia and beyond, the championship showcased outstanding talent, exemplary sportsmanship, and the continued growth of pickleball on the international stage.

Hosted across 35 competition courts, the tournament became one of the largest junior pickleball events ever staged in Asia, recording an impressive 1,066 player entries over three days. The scale of participation reflects the rapid expansion of youth pickleball and the increasing commitment of national federations to developing future elite athletes.

The championship also marked its successful debut in Thailand, with the Thai Pickleball Association (THPA) serving as the local host and the event receiving strong support from The College of Sports Science and Technology, Mahidol University, which played a vital role in delivering a memorable championship. The official opening ceremony was graced by Former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr. Suwat Liptapanlop, underscoring the growing recognition of pickleball as a sport that promotes youth development, healthy lifestyles, and international sporting cooperation.

Throughout the tournament, young athletes demonstrated remarkable skill, determination, and resilience while embracing the values of fair play and friendship. Their performances were made possible through the unwavering dedication of coaches, officials, volunteers, families, and organizing partners, who together created an inspiring environment for competition and cultural exchange.

Looking ahead, the Asia Federation of Pickleball (AFP) announced a new competition structure for the 2027 Asia Pickleball Junior Open to further strengthen the athlete development pathway. The championship will feature a Main Bracket reserved for national teams officially selected by AFP Member Federations, ensuring the highest level of competition, alongside Qualifying Rounds, which will provide junior players from across Asia and around the world with the opportunity to earn their place in the main draw.

These enhancements represent another important step toward building a sustainable high-performance pathway for junior athletes while strengthening collaboration among AFP Member Federations.

The World Pickleball Federation (WPF) extends its sincere appreciation to all athletes, national federations, the Thai Pickleball Association, Mahidol University, tournament officials, volunteers, sponsors, partners, and supporters whose dedication made the inaugural Asia Pickleball Junior Open in Thailand an outstanding success.

With record participation and a bold vision for the future, the Asia Pickleball Junior Open has firmly established itself as one of Asia's premier junior pickleball championships and is poised to return even bigger, stronger, and more competitive in 2027.