Vave Singapore has officially launched in Penang, and it marked its entry into the Malaysian state by holding the world’s first pickleball “Playcation”—a tournament that blends together intense competition with travel, family participation, and community engagement.
The Vave Singapore Playcation was organised by Singapore-based Sports League and took place on 30 and 31 January 2026 at D’Plazza Mall, Jalan Mahsuri, Bayan Baru. The competition proper featured 13 regional teams and coincided with “Visit Malaysia 2026,” a national tourism campaign that aims to attract international visitors to Malaysia by showcasing the country’s diverse cultural experiences—with a focus on family-friendly travel, sustainability, and Malaysian heritage.
More than a tournament, the pickleball Playcation is a fully curated family sports vacation that fuses competition, leisure, and cultural experiences. Organised specifically for amateur athletes, the event includes local sightseeing tours around Penang, hotel accommodation, local transport, entry to all playing events, and exclusive giveaways.
“This Playcation approach is designed to appeal to families, amateur athletes, and sports enthusiasts seeking an engaging and memorable travel experience in Penang while enjoying the excitement of competitive pickleball,” said Vave Singapore’s Benny Gan.
What’s more, the event marked Vave’s official entry into Penang. Vave is a mobile app and tournament management platform developed to support regional competitions, family-oriented sports travel, and community events across Asia. It lets participants register for events, track match results, view rankings, and maintain match history using only a single integrated platform. The end goal of Vave is to professionalise amateur sports experiences while keeping them accessible and community-friendly.
“The Vave app is designed to serve regional tournaments, multiple sports, and family-friendly competitions by managing regional matches across different sports, tracking results, and providing a seamless experience for players and families alike,” said Varad Kumaravelu, Founder of Vave. “It’s built to make amateur sports more accessible, connected, and fun, no matter the sport.”
The platform also powers Playcations—sports events that combine competitive play with travel and family-friendly experiences in destinations such as Penang, Bali, Goa, and Europe. Vave was developed by Sports League, a company founded in 2020 with the belief that competitive sports should be accessible, exciting, and inclusive for everyone.
