The international pickleball community recently converged on Hainan, China, for the Pickleball Champions League (PCL) Rising Stars Grand Finals, held from April 3–5, 2026. This landmark event took place at the Elite Training Center of the Asia Elite Pickleball Academy (AEPA), located within the Beijing Haidian Foreign Language Experimental School in Hainan.
At stake is a USD $100,000 Training Scholarship at AEPA (valued at USD $10,000 per player). This fully funded program provides high-intensity technical training and professional mentorship. Additionally, every qualifying team received a $1,000 in-kind development grant (including pro-grade paddles and apparel) to support their growth back home. Moreover, top performance can earn "Dream Tickets" to international tournaments like the EPIC World Championship from April 30 to May 6 in Singapore — all expenses paid.
What is the PCL?
The Pickleball Champions League is a groundbreaking continental platform that connects and grows the pickleball scene across Asia and beyond. Its overarching goal is to establish a standardized global ecosystem that moves the sport past fragmented local tournaments into a structured league format.
The DUPR Ranges
To ensure high-level, balanced competition, the PCL strictly utilized the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR). The "Rising Stars" circuit targeted elite developmental brackets, with most competitors falling within the DUPR 4.0 to 5.5+ range.
DUPR is the most accurate global rating system in pickleball from a unified scale of 2.0 (beginner) to 8.0+ (elite professionals) to measure a player's skill level regardless of age, gender, or location.
In a league like the PCL, DUPR is essential because it eliminates the subjectivity of traditional skill brackets. This ensures that every "Rising Star" competes against peers of an identical caliber.
Rising Stars Grand Finals 2026
The highlight of the event is the Rising Stars Grand Finals, serving as the ultimate stage for regional qualifiers. By providing young athletes with a clear roadmap from regional qualifiers to international championships, Rising Stars ensures the sport's long-term sustainability.
It offers young players high-stakes competitive experience, global exposure through live-streamed matches, and direct mentorship from professional players to prepare them for the pro circuit.
22 teams across China, Japan, Russia, Southeast Asia, and Turkey all participated in the 3-day event.
Passing the Torch: Mentors at the Rising Stars Grand Finals
Influential professional players elevated the competition by serving as dedicated on-court mentors and coaches for the qualifying teams. Each team was paired with a pro who provided strategic guidance during matches and led intensive technical workshops throughout the event.
James Ignatowich
The "Big H" served as the lead international coach-mentor. He spearheaded a specialized training camp from April 1–3 before the main tournament. He provided advanced tactical instruction and served as a benchmark for the rising talent.
Roos Van Reek
As a standout international figure and mentor, Van Reek worked closely with the athletes on technical consistency and footwork, setting the standard for the high-level technical floor required for pro play.
Nicola Schoeman
Her involvement as a headliner and mentor highlighted the incredible depth of female talent. She provided direct coaching to the women’s brackets, focusing on the mental and physical transitions needed for the professional ranks.
The Juniors that Stole the Show
The event highlighted the rapid growth of the U19 category, featuring Team Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Team Surabaya (Indonesia). The face-off between these two squads showcased elite tactical play and narrow margins.
- Match 1 (Boys' Doubles): Team Kuala Lumpur edged out Surabaya with a 21–16 victory in a high-intensity opener.
- Match 2 (Girls' Doubles): Team Surabaya responded with a dominant 21–8 performance to level the score.
- Match 3 (Mixed Doubles): In the tie-breaking set, Team Kuala Lumpur secured the win with a clinical 21–17 finish.
Official MVP Award Recipients
Notable participants included Lim Lynn, Chan Yu Chi, Lok Jien Sen, Irfan Kamil, and Farreez Isqandar, whose performances during these critical sets demonstrated the high ceiling of the junior circuit.
Here are more notable MVPs during the event:
- Jay Agrwal — India
- Tsai Ping — Taiwan
- Liu Xinrui — China
- Achmad Elramadhan — Indonesia
- Alva Bual — Philippines
- Daiki Takeuchi — Japan
- Ilia Kukushin — Russia
What's Next for our Young Picklers?
The road from Hainan leads straight to the Kallang Tennis Hub in Singapore. From April 30 to May 3, 2026, the first-ever EPIC World Championship will bring together over 1,500 players to compete for a massive, escalating prize purse starting at USD $50,000.
Supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, this is where the world's best amateurs come to play. Don't miss the ultimate celebration of global pickleball!
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