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Chloe Loung

Pickleball is becoming increasingly popular in Asia, with new courts opening regularly and rising numbers of players.
In 2024, Seymour Rifkind, a US-based pickleball ambassador, said that Chinese officials told him they expect there to be 10,000 courts and 100 million players in China over the next five years.
In Hong Kong, the inaugural Hong Kong Open, part of the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour Asia, will take place at the Kai Tak Arena in Kai Tak Sports Park this August.
The tournament will be hosted by the United Pickleball Association (UPA), the parent company of the PPA Tour, which is positioning the activity to be the next leading sport in Asia. The tournament is open to players of all ages and experience levels, and amateur players can play alongside professionals.
The contest will be organised according to skill level and age, with “Pro League” gold medallists eligible for prize money up to US$50,000, as well as 1,000 points that count towards the PPA Tour Asia Rankings. Amateur players can win up to US$9,000.
Categories include men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
Since registration began in late June, there have already been over 600 applicants, including star Hong Kong player Jack Wong, who is aiming for a triple-crown win at the open, as well as China’s gold medallist Long Yufei, who ranks among the top 12 in the UPA Asia Trailblazers programme.

Former local tennis professional Venise Chan will also be joining the line-up. In 2002, aged just 12, she became the youngest female since 1977 to reach a women’s open singles final in Hong Kong.
Since taking up pickleball, she has become Hong Kong’s first international pickleball gold medallist, winning against both men and women at the Pickleball International Open in 2020.
Chan is particularly eager to connect with other professionals at the tournament to stay up to date with the sport.
“There’s a great playing field for this tournament, and while amateurs will greatly benefit from playing beside professionals to improve their game, so will I,” she says.
“I only signed up for singles, so I’ll be spending the rest of my time there getting to know the game a bit better myself through other seasoned players, asking about new trends and games or whatnot. I’m excited to learn quite a bit myself.”

Chan is always on the lookout for talent. Being the founder and director of coaching at Asia Aces Pickleball Academy, she hopes that her time at the tournament will give her more insights into management as well as new prospects.
Pickleball is popular among older people as well.
“It’s very open to all and quite inclusive,” says Rowena Chow, a Hong Kong-based player. “People ask me to play all the time, and you need to fill the court whenever you do, kind of like mahjong.”
Chow has signed up for the amateur women’s doubles, her partner being a friend she met at the Hong Kong Tennis Association.
Pickleball is still a relatively new sport in Hong Kong, and there are not many players who can commit to regular practice. However, those who do play together frequently – Chow plays three or four times a week – create a close-knit community.
She views pickleball as a highly social sport and says that the PPA tour “will be a great opportunity to play in a better organised environment for the sport”.

Another reason why pickleball has become so popular, especially in Hong Kong, is how convenient it is.
“I hear the private clubs are very busy during lunch hour, since a full doubles game can be as short as 15 minutes,” says Chow.
Chan would agree. Last year, she played Major League Pickleball in Australia as team captain, all while juggling a full-time job in finance and a two-year-old son. On top of that, she is also still regularly competing at tennis tournaments.
“One of the things I love most about the sport is definitely how accessible it is. The games are quick, the equipment is cheaper, and you can play with the whole family. Where tennis might be more rigid and require more technical skill, pickleball is a great sport to start honing those skills with.”
Spots at the Hong Kong tournament are filling up fast. The registration deadline for the amateur category is July 31 at 6pm, or when entries are filled.
Where to try pickleball ahead of the tournament
Chan raised a curious issue that some tennis players have with the rise of pickleball: they fear the sport will take over more tennis courts.
In the beginning, pickleball events primarily used multi-sport venues designed for tennis or badminton, such as the LCSD Badminton Courts or the Hong Kong Country Club. However, purpose-built pickleball courts are becoming increasingly common.
Here are six Hong Kong pickleball facilities:
1. Asia Aces Pickleball Academy, Cyberport and Wong Chuk Hang
Originally opened in Cyberport, Asia Aces Pickleball Academy is led by Venise Chan and offers coaching across all skill levels.
The academy fosters a dynamic community through social gatherings, corporate team-building initiatives and distinctive “glow-in-the-dark” pickleball events.
Chan recently opened a second location on the south side of Hong Kong Island, in Wong Chuk Hang.
Shop 205, Arcade @ Cyberport, 100 Cyberport Rd, Telegraph Bay
12/F, 22 Heung Yip Rd, Wong Chuk Hang
2. Pickle & Club, Kennedy Town

With its bold, vibrant interiors and upbeat vibe, Pickle & Club offers more than just a space to play.
The club caters to all skill levels, with flexible memberships, structured coaching and social play.
Classes are available for ages six and up, including age-specific beginner courses, small group lessons (four to eight people), and private or semi-private coaching by internationally certified professionals.
Visitors can also join their membership programme for more discounts and offers.
The Westwood, Belcher’s St, Kennedy Town
3. Bay Pickle, Tin Hau
Bay Pickle offers a comprehensive coaching programme, including adult classes for up to 12 sessions.
It caters to children as well, who can join the low-intensity recreational programme or the elite programme for professional training with potential selection to represent the Pickleball Association of Hong Kong.
Memberships provide benefits such as 14-day priority and discounts on court bookings, complimentary guest passes, and access to exclusive social events.
23 Jupiter St, Causeway Bay
4. Stackd Pickleball, Wan Chai
Stackd is a new indoor pickleball facility in Hong Kong, founded by five passionate fans.
It offers three indoor courts and two outdoor-surfaced dink zones, along with locker rooms and showers.
Stackd welcomes all players, from those seeking competitive challenge leagues to others looking to just socialise or train.
Coaching sessions and private event bookings for team building or special celebrations are also available.
Shop 338, 3/F, Hopewell Mall, 183 Queen’s Rd East, Wan Chai
5. 212HK
212HK is Hong Kong’s newest and possibly largest indoor pickleball-centred social club, boasting 15,000 sq ft (1,393 square metres) of space and four courts.
Coaching is available for all ages, led by Asif Ismail, Hong Kong’s first US Pickleball Professional Registry (USPPR) certified coach.
Beyond the game, guests can relax at the on-site cafe or enjoy live sports and drinks at the full-service sports bar.
15/F-16/F, S22, Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang
6. Go Park Sai Sha
Go Park Sai Sha offers the city’s only dedicated outdoor pickleball courts, with two hard-surface playing areas spanning 4,300 sq ft.
This sports and recreation destination provides one-hour sessions costing from HK$100 to HK$170, depending on the time of day.
For those seeking professional guidance, private coaching classes are available from HK$700 and can accommodate up to three individuals at a time.
9 Hoi Ying Rd, Ma On Shan
If you are looking for something more casual and social, pickleball events are happening citywide. Social games are available at Murray House, part of the Carnaby Fair festival, while JEN Hong Kong by Shangri-La offers a “playcation” package with discounted pickleball court access and equipment.


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The first Hong Kong Open pickleball tournament will take place in August. Here are the details, and other popular places to play in the city


The first Hong Kong Open pickleball tournament will take place in August. Here are the details, and other popular places to play in the city.


What to know about Hong Kong Open 2025 pickleball tournament and 6 places to play

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The first Hong Kong Open pickleball tournament will take place in August. Here are the details, and other popular places to play in the city

The first Hong Kong Open pickleball tournament will take place in August. Here are the details, and other popular places to play in the city