EPIC World Championship Teams with DRYWORLD for 2026 Launch
What's the Score?
Elite Pickleball International Championship PTE LTD (EPIC) has signed a multi-year exclusive partnership with DRYWORLD Brands Inc., making the performance apparel company the official supplier for the inaugural Epic World Championship in Singapore in April 2026. The championship, which focuses exclusively on amateur competition, is set to offer one of the largest amateur prize purses in history, starting at a guaranteed USD $50,000 and potentially rising to USD $100,000 based on growth.
Hit it deeper!
This strategic alliance positions DRYWORLD at the centre of pickleball's global explosion, leveraging the sport's status as the world's fastest-growing athletic endeavour. DRYWORLD, a performance brand trusted by icons in dynamic sports like Ronaldinho in soccer and New Zealand Super Rugby teams, expressed excitement to be at the "epicentre of pickleball's global rise".
The collaboration is extensive, committing DRYWORLD to providing co-branded apparel, footwear, accessories, and fanwear to all World Championship players, staff, and the global community. Furthermore, the partnership includes the launch of a dedicated e-commerce line, aiming to capitalise directly on the sport's rapid ascent. The apparel supply extends to exclusive premium clothing provided annually to World Championship qualifiers and staff, along with kits for influencer promotions and early access pre-sale tiers for players. Competitors will be outfitted in co-branded DRYWORLD compression garments, training apparel, and lifestyle gear during official events.
Fan engagement is a key component, with merchandise available both at events and online. This includes monthly limited-edition merchandise drops, fan-voting activations across social media, and integrated digital promotions on EPIC's platforms. DRYWORLD will also handle the complete e-commerce operations, including international customer service and logistics hubs, ensuring worldwide distribution.
Victor Cui, Founding Partner of EPIC, emphasised that the partnership, supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, perfectly aligns with their vision of combining elite competition with premium style and accessibility. Cui noted that they are not just hosting a tournament, but establishing pickleball as a cornerstone of Singapore’s world-class sports calendar. The goal of EPIC is to combine elite amateur competition with a premium sports vacation experience, which will draw athletes, families, and fans, thereby fostering community, driving tourism, and establishing international partnerships. The partnership's design collaborations are set to be released starting November 2025, building anticipation for the April 2026 championship.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The EPIC and DRYWORLD partnership is a powerful testament to the financial maturity of amateur pickleball. By guaranteeing one of the largest amateur prize purses in history and aligning with a major performance apparel brand, EPIC is actively blurring the line between high-level amateurism and professional presentation. The focus on leveraging this mass-participation event to drive global tourism—with the backing of the Singapore Tourism Board—suggests that pickleball championships are evolving beyond mere sporting events into significant international economic and lifestyle platforms. This model is likely to be replicated as other organisations seek to monetise the sport's explosive growth worldwide.