The Empire NextGen Series Championship 2026 is back. Originally scheduled for April, the tournament has been rescheduled to 29–31 May 2026, giving players even more time to prepare for what promises to be the most competitive edition yet.
Hosted at Empire Pickle Club @ Kota Kemuning and organised by Sports Empire, the NextGen Series is designed to develop Malaysia's next generation of pickleball talent. The tournament also provides a high-level competitive platform for emerging and intermediate adult players.
With 9 courts, a packed three-day schedule, and a total prize value of RM 204,470, this is one of the most substantial pickleball events on the Malaysian calendar this year.
Event Details:
Dates | 29 – 31 May 2026 (Friday – Sunday) |
Venue | Empire Pickle Club @ Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam, Selangor |
Address | F14 & F14A, Giant Hypermarket Kemuning Utama, No. 3, Jalan Kemuning Prima E33/E, Seksyen 33, 40400 Shah Alam |
Time | 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
Cash Prize Pool | RM 39,470 (Total prize value: RM 204,470) |
Registration Deadline | 25 May 2026, 12:00 PM |
Courts Available | 9 professional pickleball courts |
Format | Group Stage + Knockout |
Register | sportssync.asia/tournament/210 |
Why Catering to Up-and-Coming Talent Matters
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in Southeast Asia, and Malaysia is no exception. Courts are filling up, clubs are expanding, and junior programmes are sprouting across the Klang Valley and beyond. But growth at the grassroots level only becomes sustainable when young players have structured, meaningful competition to grow into.
Events like Empire NextGen Series, EPIC World Championship, and PCL Rising Stars make competitive exposure accessible for junior players. It teaches them to perform under pressure, manage momentum swings, and develop the mental resilience that separates good players from great ones. Tournament experience also accelerates tactical development in ways that regular training simply cannot replicate. Juniors face unfamiliar opponents, adapting strategies mid-match, and learning to compete in a real stakes environment are skills that only come from actually competing.
Planting the Seed for the Future of Pickleball
Beyond individual development, a healthy pipeline of junior talent is what ensures the long-term health of the sport itself. Countries with strong youth structures consistently produce competitive national players because they invest early.
The Malaysian pickleball scene is at an inflection point: the sport has the momentum, the infrastructure is growing, and the interest is undeniable. What's needed now are consistent, well-run platforms that give young players the experience and recognition they deserve.
Keeping Juniors Engaged to Reach the Next Level
The NextGen Series also plays an important role in keeping talented youngsters engaged with the sport long enough to reach their potential. Structured youth competition gives players milestones to work toward, communities to belong to, and a clear sense of progress. Without these touchpoints, many promising athletes drift away from the sport before they ever get the chance to shine.
By dedicating an entire division to junior categories (from U10 all the way through U18) and pairing it with competitive open divisions, the Empire NextGen Series creates a genuine pathway.
Young players can aspire to compete in the combine and open categories as they develop, and they can see what that next level looks like up close. That visibility and ambition are exactly what a growing sport needs.
Categories & Prize Money
The 2026 edition features an expanded lineup across two main divisions. Age eligibility for junior categories is determined as of 31 December 2026. DUPR ratings are not submitted for Junior and Combine categories. Below 4.0 ratings will be submitted to DUPR.
Category | Champion | 1st Runner-Up | 2nd Runner-Up |
Junior Categories – Singles | |||
Boys Singles U10 | RM 300 | RM 150 | RM 80 |
Girls Singles U10 | RM 300 | RM 150 | RM 80 |
Boys Singles U12 | RM 300 | RM 150 | RM 80 |
Girls Singles U12 | RM 300 | RM 150 | RM 80 |
Boys Singles U14 | RM 300 | RM 150 | RM 80 |
Girls Singles U14 | RM 300 | RM 150 | RM 80 |
Boys Singles U16 | RM 300 | RM 150 | RM 80 |
Boys Singles U18 | RM 300 | RM 150 | RM 80 |
Girls Singles U18 | RM 300 | RM 150 | RM 80 |
Junior Categories – Doubles | |||
Boys Doubles U12 | RM 500 | RM 250 | RM 150 |
Boys Doubles U14 | RM 500 | RM 250 | RM 150 |
Girls Doubles U14 | RM 500 | RM 250 | RM 150 |
Mixed Doubles U14 | RM 500 | RM 250 | RM 150 |
Boys Doubles U16 | RM 500 | RM 250 | RM 150 |
Boys Doubles U18 | RM 500 | RM 250 | RM 150 |
Girls Doubles U18 | RM 500 | RM 250 | RM 150 |
Mixed Doubles U18 | RM 500 | RM 250 | RM 150 |
Combine Categories (No Age Restriction) | |||
Combine 5.8 – Men's Doubles | RM 1,000 | RM 500 | RM 250 |
Combine 5.8 – Women's Doubles | RM 1,000 | RM 500 | RM 250 |
Combine 6.2 – Men's Doubles | RM 1,500 | RM 600 | RM 300 |
Combine 6.2 – Mixed Doubles | RM 1,500 | RM 600 | RM 300 |
Combine 7.2 – Men's Doubles | RM 2,000 | RM 1,000 | RM 500 |
Combine 7.2 – Mixed Doubles | RM 2,000 | RM 1,000 | RM 500 |
Below 4.0 Categories (No Age Restriction) | |||
Men's Singles (19+) | RM 1,000 | RM 500 | RM 250 |
Men's Singles (35+) | RM 1,000 | RM 500 | RM 250 |
Women's Doubles (19+) | RM 1,800 | RM 800 | RM 300 |
Men's Doubles (35+) | RM 1,800 | RM 800 | RM 300 |
Men's Doubles (50+) | RM 1,800 | RM 800 | RM 300 |
Winners in adult categories (Combine and Below 4.0) also receive Equiptox Recovery Treatment packages valued at RM 3,000–RM 7,000 per placement, bringing the total prize value to RM 204,470.
Whether you're a junior gunning for your first title or an adult player looking to test your game, the Empire NextGen Series 2026 has a category for you. With a bigger prize pool, more categories, and three full days of action on nine courts, this is one not to miss.
Secure your slot before the 25 May deadline and see you on court in Kota Kemuning.
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