Singapore is positioning itself at the center of pickleball’s global expansion with the launch of the inaugural EPIC World Championship in Amateur Pickleball—marking the first time a world championship for amateur players will be staged in Asia. Scheduled for April 30 to May 3 at the Kallang Sports Hub, the event is expected to draw competitors from more than 60 countries, signaling both the sport’s accelerating international reach and the growing importance of the Asia-Pacific market.
Designed as a flagship event for the amateur segment, EPIC introduces a fully structured global competition model featuring men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles, along with team-based and corporate formats. Participation is standardized through the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) system, reinforcing a broader industry push toward globally consistent player benchmarking.
What distinguishes the event from traditional tournament builds is its explicit focus on elevating the amateur experience to a “world championship” level—complete with a guaranteed $50,000 prize purse and a festival-style environment that blends sport, entertainment, and community engagement.
Equally notable is the caliber and diversity of commercial partners aligning with the event. Global brands including Coca-Cola, JOOLA, QBE Insurance, and Genting Dream Cruises are among a wide-ranging sponsor roster spanning beverage, equipment, insurance, hospitality, and automotive categories. Many are entering pickleball for the first time—an indicator that corporate investment is now moving beyond North America and into international growth markets with intent.
Backed by the Singapore Tourism Board through a multi-year commitment, EPIC is part of a broader strategy to position the city-state as a destination for emerging global sports properties. The event’s structure—combining competition with experiential elements like music, food, and lifestyle programming—aligns with a modern event model designed to attract both participants and spectators as part of a larger sports tourism ecosystem.
From a business perspective, the launch of EPIC reflects a critical inflection point in pickleball’s globalization. While the professional game continues to mature in North America, the amateur segment—where participation volume resides—is becoming a primary vehicle for international expansion, brand entry, and destination-driven event strategy.
In that context, Singapore’s EPIC World Championship is more than a first-of-its-kind tournament—it is a signal that pickleball’s next phase of growth will be defined not just by leagues and media rights, but by scalable global participation platforms capable of activating both players and partners at a worldwide level.
Key Facts for Media
Dates: April 30 – May 3, 2026
Venue: Kallang Sports Hub, Singapore
Countries represented: 62+, across every continent
Prize purse: $50,000+ USD guaranteed
Formats: Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles, MiLP Team, Corporate Championship, and Generations
Governing bodies: DUPR, Singapore Pickleball Association, Asian Pickleball Association
First-time pickleball partners: Coca-Cola, Stellantis ASEAN (Leapmotor & Alfa Romeo), QBE Insurance, Genting Dream Cruises, Dryworld, SAFRA, HotelPlanner, DUPR Coach, Bestia
