Singapore Ready to Step Into Spotlight as Pickleball’s Next Big Stage, Says PPA Pro Jimmy Liong
Singapore is preparing to host its most significant pickleball event yet, the Leapmotor Singapore Open 2026, and the buzz around the tournament suggests the Republic is only getting started. Scheduled for July 23–26 at the Sports Arina @ Expo, the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Asia 500 stop will bring in top talent, a sizeable prize pool of US$70,000 (S$90,500), and a clear signal that the sport’s regional growth is accelerating.
Malaysia’s No. 1 player Jimmy Liong, who will compete in the event, believes Singapore is destined for even bigger things. “Asia is definitely growing, and Singapore as well, and they (PPA) are bringing such a big tournament,” he said. “Even though it’s not the biggest, but it’s a PPA stop and it’s a stop where pros play. I met a few partners of PPA in Singapore, and I believe it’s going to happen sooner or later. Maybe not in a year, maybe not in two years, but definitely it will happen.”
Liong’s optimism is shared by organisers. Kimberly Koh, managing director of United Pickleball Association (UPA) Asia—the parent company of the PPA Tour—confirmed that the Singapore Open is “not a one-off.” She pointed to the country’s infrastructure, event management, and its role as a hub for players across the region. “A year or two ago, the idea of running a major professional tournament here would have seemed premature,” Koh explained. “The fact that we can do it now, and do it well, tells you something about how fast things have shifted across Asia.”
The Singapore Open follows April’s PPA Asia 125 event, which served as a stepping stone for local players. Koh outlined a deliberate structure: entry-level tournaments feeding into mid-tier events like the Singapore Open, and then the marquee showcases such as the Hanoi Cup, Kuala Lumpur Cup, and Hong Kong Slam. The aim is clear—create a pathway for Asian athletes to climb into the global professional ranks.
For Jimmy Liong, who transitioned from tennis to pickleball just three years ago, the journey has been swift. He was part of the inaugural batch of UPA Trailblazers training in the United States, alongside Singaporean Ryan Ng, who will also feature at the Open. Liong now balances his career with running a sports equipment shop, but his focus is firmly on competition. “A lot of people are slowly turning pro, all thanks to sponsors believing in us and giving us this opportunity to play as a career,” he said. “With the PPA Asia 500 coming here, it is definitely an amazing feeling, because Singapore feels like home as well and I am definitely excited to play and represent Malaysia.”
Local talent will also be on display. Singaporean Charles Yong, winner of the PPA Asia 125 event earlier this year, joins the field, underscoring the blend of professionals and amateurs that makes pickleball’s rise so compelling.
The stage is set. For Singapore, the Leapmotor Open is more than just a tournament—it is a statement of intent, a sign that the Republic is ready to become a fixture on pickleball’s global map.
