Vietnam to Host Major PPA Tour Event: MB Hanoi Cup 2026

Vietnam is set to host the MB Hanoi Cup 2026, a pivotal event in the PPA Tour, from April 1 to 5. This tournament will feature over 700 players, including top international stars like Ben Johns. With a prize pool of $300,000, the event aims to solidify Vietnam's status as a leading pickleball destination in Asia. Local talents will also compete, showcasing the rapid growth of the sport in the country. The tournament promises to be a significant milestone for both players and fans alike.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 9, 2026, 16:09 IST

Vietnam's Growing Pickleball Scene

Vietnam is rapidly emerging as a key player in the pickleball scene in Asia, preparing to host one of the largest events on the PPA Tour. The MB Hanoi Cup, which marks the beginning of the PPA Tour Asia season for 2026, is scheduled to take place from April 1 to 5 at the Mỹ Đình Indoor Athletics Palace in Hanoi. This Super 1000 tournament is expected to attract top international talent, highlighting the sport's increasing popularity in both Vietnam and the broader Asian region. This event will be the third Super 1000 tournament held in Vietnam within two years, following successful competitions in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang in 2025.

The Hanoi Cup is anticipated to feature over 700 competitors across various elite and amateur divisions. Organizers are optimistic that this tournament will further enhance Vietnam's status as a leading destination for pickleball in Asia. Among the notable participants is Ben Johns, the World No. 1 men's doubles player, who is returning to Vietnam after a historic appearance in 2025. He will be joined by other prominent players such as Gabriel Tardio, Tyson McGuffin, Federico Staksrud, Anna Bright, Dylan Frazier, Tyra Black, and Zane Navratil.

Local fans will have much to celebrate, as several top Vietnamese players are set to compete, including Ly Hoang Nam, Trịnh Linh Giang, Phuc Huynh, Ken Tam, and Sophia Phuong Anh, all of whom have played significant roles in the sport's rapid growth in the country.

Nguyen Hai Long, a representative from the event's co-organizers, New Sports, expressed excitement about the tournament, stating, “Less than a year later, I am here again to introduce a tournament of an even higher tier within the system. The capital city of Hà Nội has been selected as the opening stop of the 2026 season. This milestone reflects the remarkable growth of pickleball in Việt Nam and its rising presence on the regional map.”

Long emphasized that for New Sports, each tournament is more than just an event; it is a platform for players of all skill levels and ages to compete and develop, contributing to the overall growth of pickleball and Vietnamese sports.

Kimberly Koh from the United Pickleball Association Asia noted, “We have assembled the largest line-up of PPA professionals ever to compete at a PPA Asia event.” She expressed anticipation for seeing local and Asian players face off against the world's best, reinforcing the shared vision of growing pickleball at both professional and community levels.

This significant event, with a prize pool of $300,000, underscores Vietnam's central role in the regional pickleball landscape. Singles champions will earn $4,500, while doubles winners will take home $7,500. Additionally, players with PPA Pro contracts can receive bonuses of up to 100% of the tournament's costs. Competitors will also vie for valuable ranking points, with champions earning 1,000 points, runners-up receiving 800 points, and third-place finishers getting 400 points.