The Report
Asia rises, but pickleball’s business model is tested
This week, the sport’s centre of gravity moved further toward Asia, infrastructure scaled in major cities, and one of the industry’s established brands hit serious trouble.
If you want to understand where the game is heading next, these are the signals that matter.
🌏 Pickleball World Cup Heads to Vietnam
- The 2026 Pickleball World Cup will be hosted in Da Nang
- First time the event is staged in Asia
- Signals a major geographic shift in the sport’s global structure
Why it matters:
Asia is no longer an emerging market. It is becoming central to pickleball’s future.
🇰🇷 Seoul Builds One of the World’s Most Ambitious Facilities
- 14-court complex planned along the Han River
- Designed as a major urban pickleball hub
- Built to support long-term growth and accessibility
Why it matters:
Infrastructure at this scale changes how fast a region develops. Asia is investing properly.
🇺🇸 Gamma Bankruptcy Raises Industry Questions
- Established pickleball brand files for bankruptcy
- Highlights pressure within the equipment market
- Raises questions around long-term commercial sustainability
Why it matters:
Growth alone is not enough. The business side of pickleball is starting to be tested.
💡 The Big Idea: Vietnam Signals a New Regional Power Shift
- Local players dominating the D-Joy Tour
- International events moving into the region
- Infrastructure and participation accelerating together
What this means:
Pickleball’s future will not be controlled by one region. Asia is now shaping the global game.
⚡ Around the World
- 🇪🇸 Spain confirms its 2026 Pro Tour calendar
- 🇧🇷 Pickleball expands into Manaus, bringing the sport deeper into Brazil
- 🇨🇦 Quebec sees churches converted into pickleball venues
- 🇿🇦 South Africa Open dates officially confirmed
🌍 What Else Is Moving
- 🇺🇸 American players continuing to explore Asia-based events
- 🇧🇲 Caribbean competition structure strengthening
- 🌎 Global calendar becoming more connected across regions
🎙️ This Week on the Podcast
🎧 World Pickleball Podcast (News Show)
This week’s episode connects the biggest global shifts:
- Vietnam’s rise and what it means for the sport
- English Open developments
- Gamma’s bankruptcy and the wider industry impact
- Where the global calendar is heading next
🎤 Featured Interview: Ben Cawston (Europe #1)
- Inside the mindset of Europe’s top player
- How elite players train and adapt
- What it takes to stay at the top of the game
👉 Listen here
📖 Go Deeper This Month
If you want more than headlines, this is where it lives.
Inside the March issue:
- Amazing grassroots stories from all five continents
- Roundups of many of the main tournaments from across the world
- Exclusive interviews with some of the most exciting people in pickleball
This is the layer most people miss.
📩 Stay Ahead of the Game
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See you next Wednesday. Stay sharp.