PCL Founder Steve Kuhn Says Gap Between Asian and American Pickleball Players Shrinking, Lays Out Plans for Future

Pickleball Champions League (PCL) Asia Founder Steve Kuhn witnessed firsthand the Finals of PCL Season 2, held in Shenzhen, China, last week, and he could not help but marvel not only at the booming pickleball scene in the sprawling Chinese city, but also at the talent on display in the Finals and across all of Season 2.

Kuhn was so impressed, in fact, that he made a bold declaration on the sidelines of the PCL Season 2 Finals: “The gap between American players and Asian players is shrinking every day.”

Part of the reason Asia’s talent level is rising exponentially is due to organisations like PCL, which time and again stage high-level tournaments for Asian players at every level. Players can expect even more from PCL, as the league, according to Kuhn, is planning to host three seasons in one calendar year moving forward.

Do not be surprised either if PCL keeps coming back to Shenzhen, as the city caught Kuhn’s attention for its dynamic and growing pickleball scene—as well as its already world-class, but still improving, facilities.

“Every time I come here, I hear about a new facility being built. This city is wonderful, and the level of facilities is improving every day,” Kuhn said of Shenzhen.

A total of 28 teams competed in PCL Season 2, with 14 of them coming from across China, which is fast becoming a pickleball hub in its own right. Considering Shenzhen’s successful hosting of PCL Season 2, it makes sense that it could serve as a repeat host time and time again—especially if the league pushes through with its ambitious plan to hold three seasons in a year.

Team Zhuhai won PCL Season 2 to help China dethrone PCL Season 1 winners Philippines.