Hong Kong will stage the PPA Asia 1500 Hang Seng Bank Hong Kong Slam 2026 from October 19 to 25 at Kai Tak Arena, bringing more than 860 professional and amateur players together for what organizers bill as the largest professional pickleball tournament ever held in Asia.
The season-ending event will offer a record prize purse of up to US$1.1 million (HK$8.58 million), the highest in Asian professional pickleball, along with 1,500 ranking points. Kai Tak Arena will be transformed into 24 international-standard courts.
All player spots were taken within two weeks. Those set to compete include Hong Kong favorites Wong Hong-kit and Tang Nok-yiu, Len Yang of the United States and China’s Long Yufei and Kong Lingwei.
Wong, the top-ranked player in Hong Kong and the region, has collected five gold, five silver and 13 bronze medals across tour stops this year. He won the men’s singles title and took silver in men’s doubles in Hong Kong last year.
“Winning the gold medal last year with the support of the home crowd was an unforgettable experience. This year, I will be giving my all to defend the title and intend to deliver the most thrilling performance for the fans in Hong Kong,” Wong said.
Commissioner for Sports George Tsoi Kin-pan said pickleball had grown rapidly in Hong Kong and was attracting participants across different age groups. Its low barrier to entry and ease of play, he said, made it well suited to promoting sport for all and encouraging more people to stay active.
Tsoi welcomed Hong Kong’s selection as the Asian stop for the Slam, saying the city’s strengths could help broaden the sport’s reach and support the sports industry.
Feng Huanhuan, president of F-Sports Promotions Limited, said the sport had expanded quickly since the PPA Tour Asia first came to Hong Kong last year.
“From the rapid sellout of the amateur spots to receiving applications from elite players for the professional divisions, this tremendous response fully proves the booming growth and powerful appeal of pickleball in Hong Kong and Asia,” Feng said.
Hang Seng Bank executive director and chief executive Luanne Lim said the bank was pleased to support the first PPA 1500-level tournament in Asia, giving residents and visitors a chance to experience elite pickleball up close.
Tickets will go on public sale through HK Ticketing at 9am on September 10, with priority booking starting from September 4.
A part of the showdown, a free-admission fan zone will also be set up at the venue with interactive booths, pickleball equipment and official merchandise.
The Hong Kong stop will conclude a nine-event PPA Tour Asia season, with players also competing for the season’s “roaring dragon head” trophy, awarded only at the final stop.
