China Unveils Asia Elite Pickleball Academy in Bid for Global Dominance
What’s the Score?
China is making a definitive move toward global pickleball leadership with the announcement of the Asia Elite Pickleball Academy, scheduled to launch in March 2026. Located at the Beijing Haidian Foreign Language Experimental School’s Hainan Campus, the academy is a joint venture with Ramsports, China’s premier pickleball brand. The facility is designed to provide international-standard training and residential programs for junior and professional players.
Hit it deeper!
The Asia Elite Pickleball Academy aims to be a high-performance hub that rivals top-tier global environments. The Hainan Campus is already recognised for its Olympic-level training programs in other sports, and the addition of pickleball follows this tradition of excellence. The facility currently houses 11 professional-grade courts, with plans to expand by an additional 20 courts to create a world-class centre.
The academy’s mission is to become the premier training destination for elite players in the region. To achieve this, it is currently recruiting three full-time high-performance coaches to lead its residential and visiting programs. The venue’s prestige has already been recognized by the Pickleball Champions League Asia, which has selected the academy to host its Rising Stars Finals. By combining world-class educational resources with intensive sport-specific training, the academy is positioned to develop the next generation of Asian professionals.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The launch of the Asia Elite Pickleball Academy signifies the "industrialisation" of pickleball in China. While the sport has grown through grassroots efforts in North America, China is utilising its proven Olympic training model to fast-track player development. This facility isn't just about local growth; it is a clear attempt to produce players capable of dominating the international circuit. The commitment to 31 courts and professional coaching staff suggests that by the late 2020s, the "center of gravity" for elite training may very well shift toward Asia.