Pickleball’s global footprint just got a little bigger—and this time, the growth is coming from Southeast Asia.
The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) has announced a partnership with Wika Sports, naming the Vietnam-based sporting goods brand an Official Premium Paddle Partner of the APP Tour. The deal integrates Wika across select APP Tour events through marketing initiatives, on-site activations, and product demonstrations—giving fans and players direct access to the brand’s paddle lineup on the ground at tour stops throughout the 2026 season.
The announcement is a reflection of where pickleball is growing fastest. Vietnam has emerged as one of the most rapidly expanding pickleball communities in the Asia-Pacific region, driven by grassroots participation, local athletes, and brands like Wika that have invested in the sport’s development from the ground up.
Wika Sports’ premium paddle lineup—including models used by international pickleball star Quang Duong—will be showcased at select events, with players and spectators able to test equipment on site through experiential activations.
APP Chief Revenue Officer Ryan McSpadden framed the partnership in terms of the tour’s broader international ambitions.
“Vietnam has built a strong and passionate pickleball community, and Wika’s commitment to the sport makes them a natural partner for the APP Tour,” he said.
For Wika, the partnership is as much about representation as it is about reach.
“As a brand born in Vietnam, we are proud to represent the energy and growth of pickleball in our region while connecting with players and communities around the world,” said Wika Marketing Director Bich Nhuan Dang. “Through this partnership, we hope to support the sport’s development, work alongside leading athletes like Quang Duong and continue delivering high-performance equipment to players at every level.”
The deal also connects to a broader structural initiative. The partnership builds on momentum generated through the Global Pickleball Alliance, an effort aimed at uniting pickleball organizations worldwide, developing a unified competition calendar, and supporting the sport’s continued international expansion.
A Vietnam-based brand on one of the world’s premier pickleball tours. That is what the sport’s growth in Asia actually looks like.
