Pickleball facilities to be built in SZ as Haikou to host first worlds

Mission Hills Group, a leading firm in China’s sports and leisure industry, announced October 22 that it will host the first-ever Pickleball World Championships in Haikou, Hainan Province. The group also mentioned plans to establish pickleball facilities in Shenzhen’s Longhua District.

The inaugural Pickleball World Championships, a collaboration with the World Pickleball Federation (WPF) and the International Pickleball Training Professionals Association (IPTPA), are scheduled to take place in December 2025.

A press conference was held in Haikou on October 22 to unveil details regarding the championship, which included a signing ceremony between Mission Hills Group and Ram Sports to introduce state-of-the-art pickleball facilities.

Pickleball, a distinctive paddle sport combining elements from tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, has gained popularity due to its inclusive nature suitable for individuals of various ages and skill levels. With straightforward rules, it serves as an excellent entry point to the world of sports.

A file photo of a pickleball match.

In a strategic move to promote the global proliferation and standardization of pickleball, Mission Hills Group has partnered with Ram Sports to introduce the sport in China. This collaboration involves the construction of the world's largest indoor pickleball court at Mission Hills Resort in Haikou, the establishment of a premier pickleball training center and academy, and the annual hosting of the World Pickleball Forum Summit. By introducing professional training infrastructure and resources, the initiative aims to stimulate interest and growth in pickleball across China, providing residents and tourists with diverse sporting and leisure activities.

At the press conference, Tenniel Chu, vice chairman of Mission Hills Group, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with Ram Sports, underlining the potential for pickleball's rapid expansion in China. Chu highlighted China's goal of developing 100 million pickleball players and constructing 10,000 new courts within the next five years to support the sport's advancement.

Alex Yuan, president of Ram Sports, in his speech, emphasized the importance of a skilled teaching staff and high-quality venues with extensive amenities for the successful development of pickleball. He also noted that the establishment of China's first professional pickleball base in Mission Hills Haikou represents a significant milestone in the growth of pickleball in China.

"Our objective is to enhance Asian pickleball, starting with Hainan and offering the professional training programs and resources of WPF and IPTPA," Yuan said.