MB Hanoi Cup 2026: Ben Johns, Kaitlyn Christian Return to Vietnam as Other PPA Tour Stars Join Field
Last season, the PPA Tour Asia didn’t just bring A-level pickleball into the Asian pro circuit, but it also brought in the big guns. That’s because most tournaments of the inaugural PPA Tour Asia season featured at least two or three PPA Tour stars. This year will likely be the same, especially with the PPA Tour aiming to have a unified global ranking at season’s end.
In fact, the PPA Tour Asia’s second season will have an explosive start with the MB Hanoi Cup, as the season opener will feature not one, not two, not three, but six PPA Tour superstars. Leading the way is the inimitable Ben Johns, who will return to Vietnam after competing in last season’s MB Vietnam Cup. Kaitlyn Christian will be back as well and will be looking for another golden finish. Joining Johns and Christian will be Tyra Black, Hayden Patriquin, Gabe Tardio, and Federico Staksrud.
Johns will be out for redemption in his return to Vietnam, as he and Deker Bar were denied a podium finish in the MB Vietnam Cup by Armaan Bhatia and Zane Navratil in the semis. Christian, on the other hand, will look to add more gold medals to her trophy case after she and partner Chao Yi Wang won the Women’s Doubles title.
Tardio, who recently signed with Vietnam-based Facolos, will look to make a great impression in Hanoi to start off what could be an extensive competition schedule heavy on Asian appearances. The 20-year-old had previously stated that he is looking forward to competing in Asia and to experiencing firsthand its “awesome” pickleball crowds.
Staksrud, meanwhile, will be competing for the second time in Asia after doing so at the Hangzhou Open last season.
The MB Hanoi Cup is scheduled for 1 to 5 April 2026 and will take place at the My Dinh Indoor Athletics Arena. Registration for the competition is still open and will last until 9 March 2026.
