Malaysia’s Biggest Pickleball Prize Pool Yet Is Coming to Shah Alam—and Registration Is Already Moving Fast

The Oriental Daily News Pickleball Malaysia Open 2026 has not even reached its registration deadline, and the response is already telling organisers everything they need to know about where pickleball in Malaysia is heading.

Early Interest, Strong Numbers

Registration for the tournament closes on 5 June, and with more than 50 days still remaining at the time of the official launch, teams have been signing up at a pace that has surprised no one who has been watching the sport grow.

Oriental Daily News General Manager Pattrik Ting confirmed that doubles categories have proven especially popular—a pattern consistent with how pickleball tends to take hold in new markets, where the social and team dimensions of the game draw players in first.

“We already have many teams registered, with most entries coming in for the doubles categories,” Ting said. “With about 51 days left before the closing date on 5 June, we urge everyone to register early.”

What Is on Offer

The tournament takes place from 12 to 14 June 2026 at the Grand Pickleball Arena in Shah Alam, and by any measure, it is shaping up to be one of the most significant pickleball events Malaysia has seen this year.

The total prize pool exceeds RM70,000—a figure that Ting believes will set the competitive tone for everything that follows.

“With RM70,000 in prize money, we are confident it will attract strong participation and elevate the tournament,” he said. “We have four major categories across different levels.”

Those four categories—Junior, Novice, Intermediate, and Open—are designed to accommodate players across the full spectrum of experience, from those still finding their footing in the sport to those competing at the highest available local level. Beyond the cash prizes, participants can also expect sponsored gear, shoes, eye massagers, and additional items from the event’s partners.

“Apart from prize money, there are also shoes, eye massagers and more prizes to be won,” Ting added.

Fair Play Through DUPR

The tournament will use the Baseline system integrated with DUPR ratings—the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating, a globally recognised system for evaluating player skill levels and ensuring appropriate category placement.

“We are using the Baseline system with DUPR ratings, which will allow players to be accurately placed in the appropriate level of play,” Ting said.

For competitive players who have grown frustrated with poorly matched fields in other tournaments, the use of DUPR is a meaningful signal that the Malaysia Open is taking its competitive integrity seriously.

The Media Muscle Behind It

Oriental Daily News is not merely lending its name to the event. The publication brings with it a digital reach that gives the tournament a visibility platform well beyond what most sporting events in Malaysia can access.

Ting pointed to the numbers directly. In March alone, Oriental Daily News recorded more than 700 million views on Facebook, 140 million on Instagram, and 69 million on TikTok.

“Oriental Daily News isn’t just a news platform,” he said. “These numbers show our potential reach under our editorial leadership. This will help increase readership throughout Malaysia and also amplify visibility for our sponsors and advertisers.”

Backing From Major Partners

The event has assembled a strong commercial foundation. Gold sponsors include redONE Mobile and Sri Kota Specialist Medical Centre, with RHB Insurance serving as the official insurance partner and Honda Malaysia as the official car partner—providing shuttle services from the car park to the venue on competition days.

Media partners include Malay Mail, The Sun, Borneo Post, Utusan Borneo, and See Hua Daily.

Participants will also receive goodie bags valued at over RM130 alongside complimentary refreshments—a detail that speaks to the organisers’ broader intent. This is not just a competition. It is a celebration of a sport that has found its footing in Malaysia and shows no signs of slowing down.

How to Register for Oriental Daily News Pickleball Malaysia Open 2026

Registration is open via the Baseline platform at https://mybaseline.live/tournaments/0e82a152-323b-46d2-95c5-8c6c9508f47e. With doubles spots filling quickly and a registration deadline of 5 June 2026, the window for early entry is narrowing.

The court is being set in Shah Alam. The prize pool is the largest the country has seen. The field is forming.