DinkStart

KAI TAK ARENA · 19-25 OCTOBER 2026

In collaboration withGlobal Pickleball Summit

Tickets are live.

The first PPA Slam ever staged in Asia lands at Kai Tak Arena — up to US$1.1M in prize money, pro and amateur draws, seven days of pickleball. Here is everything you need to be there.

US$1.1MPrize purse, up to
19-25 OctoberSeven days, 2026
10,000 seatsKai Tak Arena
Pro + AmateurTickets on sale
Event deskPhase Tickets liveRegistered 1,075Tickets ↗

DinkStart is an independent Hong Kong pickleball guide. We are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, PPA Tour Asia, UPA Asia, F-Sports Promotions, Hang Seng Bank or Kai Tak Sports Park. Event details can change — always confirm tickets, schedules and venue policies with the official organiser. Last verified: 2026-09-21.

First serve · Kai Tak ArenaMonday 19 October, 09:00+ Add to calendar
19-25 October 2026
01 — The tournament

Pro. Amateur. One arena.

US$1.1MPrize purse, up to
1,500Ranking points
10,000Seats, indoor
19-25 OctSeven days, finals Sunday

A “Slam” is the top rung of the PPA Tour — 1,500 ranking points on the line, the biggest fields, the deepest money. This is the first one ever staged in Asia, and it closes the 2026 PPA Tour Asia season with a purse of up to US$1.1M, the largest in Asian professional pickleball. For a sport that was being explained from scratch in Hong Kong three years ago, a week like this is a genuine marker.

Pro draws

Men's and women's singles, doubles, mixed

Prize money and ranking points per finishing round, as published by the organiser:

SinglesDoublesMixedPoints
Gold14,00056,00046,0001,500
Silver7,50030,00026,0001,200
Semi-final3,80015,00012,600750
Quarter-final1,9007,6006,400300

Figures are USD, for PPA pros on a Gold Contract. Pros without a PPA contract are paid on a separate, lower scale published by the organiser. Non-contracted scale (PDF).

The player field hasn't been announced yet. We'll list names here as the organiser confirms them — not before.

Amateur draws

You can actually enter this one

Everything you need to know before entering:

EventsSingles, doubles and mixed
Skill brackets3.499-and-below and 3.5-plus (DUPR 2.0–5.0, seeded by DUPR)
Age groupsU18 · 19+ · 35+ · 50+
FormatRound-robin pools → single-elimination bracket to the medal matches
EntryUS$72 + US$5 per-event service fee, capped at US$10

Amateur registration has closed.

Register on pickleballtournaments.com

Draws, brackets and results

Draws, seedings and live brackets run on pickleballtournaments.com — the official system. Bookmark it for match-by-match detail. Come back here each morning for the plain-English version: who won, what it means, and what's worth watching next.

Never watched pro pickleball before?

The scoring is the part that trips people up, and Hong Kong social play uses different scoring from what you'll see on court at Kai Tak. Ten minutes with our rules guide and you'll follow every point. Read the beginner rules guide.

03 — Tickets

Tickets are on sale.

Spectator tickets go through HK Ticketing. Here is the sale timeline, the prices, and the account you need before the queue opens.

PPA Hong Kong Slam

Oct 19–25 2026

VenueKai Tak ArenaKai Tak Sports Park · Kowloon
  1. Priority booking4 Sep, 16:00Hang Seng Visa cardholders · until 9 Sep, 23:59
  2. Public sale10 Sep, 09:00HK Ticketing · account required
  3. Gates open19 OctKai Tak Arena · seven days of play
General admissionHK$180All days
Championship Court & GrandstandHK$58019–23 Oct
Championship Court & GrandstandHK$98024–25 Oct · finals weekend
Pickletown fan zoneFreeBooths, games and giveaways between matches, open to all

Spectator tickets are available through the official ticketing site. Hang Seng credit card holders were given exclusive priority booking.

Last verified 2026-09-21 · independent guide — not the official seller
On sale

Official ticketing site opens in a new tab.

Buy tickets

DinkStart does not sell or process tickets and is not a party to any ticket purchase. We can't guarantee availability, pricing or admission, and we can't issue refunds or resolve ticket disputes — those are handled by the official ticketing provider. The button above goes to the official site.

04 — Schedule & briefings

Seven days at Kai Tak.

The week · live desk from 19 Oct

The official daily schedule is out. Play runs 9:00 to 19:00 most days (qualifying goes to 21:00 on Monday), with the finals a single afternoon session on Sunday from 13:00. All times are HKT.

Mon

19 Oct

  • 9:00–21:00 Pro qualifying · not broadcast

Tue

20 Oct

  • 9:00–19:00 Pro round of 64
  • Am U18 women's doubles, U18 men's singles

Wed

21 Oct

  • 9:00–19:00 Pro round of 32
  • Am U18 women's singles, U18 men's doubles

Thu

22 Oct

  • 9:00–19:00 Pro round of 16
  • Am Women's singles 19+, 35+, 50+

Fri

23 Oct

  • 9:00–19:00 Pro quarterfinals
  • Am Women's doubles 50+, men's singles 19+, 35+, 50+

Sat

24 Oct

  • 9:00–19:00 Pro semifinals
  • Am Mixed doubles, all age groups

Sun

25 Oct

  • 13:00–18:00 Gold medal matches
  • Am Women's doubles 19+, 35+; men's doubles 19+, 35+, 50+

Which day is worth your money?

If you can only go once, make it Sunday 25th. One 13:00 to 18:00 session holds every final and the full crowd, which is why it carries the HK$980 top tier. Saturday's semifinals give you near-finals stakes for the HK$580 tier. For the most pickleball per dollar, pick a Tuesday to Thursday general admission day at HK$180: ten hours of play across every court, far more of it at once, with the amateur draws of 1,000-plus local players running alongside the pros. One quirk worth knowing: Monday's qualifying is not broadcast anywhere, so the arena is the only place to watch pros fighting for a main-draw spot.

05 — Slam week

More than the matches.

Clinics, watch parties, open play, socials — the things that make a tournament week feel like an event rather than a ticket. Everything here is labelled by what it actually is, so you know what you're walking into.

Around Slam week

16 to 26 October, plus Slam tie-ins still to be dated

More pickleball this autumn

October, before and after the Slam

Running something during Slam week?

Clinic, watch party, open play, social, brand activation. Tell us and we'll list it. Community events are listed free, and we'll say plainly whether a listing is official, community-run or paid.

06 — Your Slam day

Your Slam day, start to finish.

One line runs through the whole day: in on the Tuen Ma line, the right building, where to eat, and the smart way out. All of it verified, none of it official-site boilerplate.

Get in

Tuen Ma line → Kai Tak, Exit D.

Every route ends the same way: Kai Tak station, Exit D, then a 5–10 minute walk into the park. The only question is where you board.

About 55–70 minAirport Express to Tsing Yi, change to the Tung Chung line for Nam Cheong, then the Tuen Ma line straight in. A taxi is simpler with luggage but slower in traffic.

  1. AirportAirport Express
  2. Tsing YiTung Chung line
  3. Nam CheongTuen Ma line
  4. Kai TakExit D

Find the right building

Arena, not Stadium. The Slam is in the 10,000-seat indoor Kai Tak Arena — the 50,000-seat Stadium is a different building in the same park. Follow Arena signage after Exit D.

Eat

Where to eat, all verified. Keep scrolling.

  • Food GalaFood court · fastest
    Food Gala In the park

    Ten counters under one roof. The practical between-matches pick.

    L2, Kai Tak Mall 1, 38 Shing Kai Rd
  • La BaiaItalian · waterfront
    La Baia In the park

    A slower harbour-side meal when you have time between sessions.

    Dining Cove, Kai Tak Sports Park
  • GoNutsPizza, waffles & beer
    GoNuts In the park

    Casual and broad — built for groups that can't agree.

    Kai Tak Mall 2, 38 Shing Kai Rd
  • PHI Coffee & PancakeCoffee & soufflé pancakes
    PHI Coffee & Pancake In the park

    The quiet reset away from the food-court crowds.

    North Park, Kai Tak Sports Park
  • AIRSIDE40 restaurants · one mall
    AIRSIDE 2 min from Exit D

    Japanese, Korean BBQ, Vietnamese, pizza — the biggest choice closest to the Arena.

    2 Concorde Rd, above Kai Tak station
  • Islam FoodThe beef-bun pilgrimage
    Islam Food Near Sung Wong Toi stn

    Chinese-Islamic institution since 1950. The pan-fried beef buns are the order.

    1 Lung Kong Rd, Kowloon City
  • ThonglorThai · boat noodles
    Thonglor Near Sung Wong Toi stn

    Foodie Forks 2026 winner for best Thai in Hong Kong — Bangkok street food in the heart of the Thai quarter.

    19 Lung Kong Rd, Kowloon City
  • Yung Kee Chiu ChowChiu Chow · braised goose
    Yung Kee Chiu Chow 3 min from Sung Wong Toi

    Old-school Chiu Chow, open till 1am. Braised goose and oyster cake after the evening session.

    33 South Wall Rd, Kowloon City

Get out

Leave smarter than the crowd.

When a session empties, 10,000 people head for the same exits. Sung Wong Toi station (also Exit D) is the calmer way out, and the MTR beats a taxi at exactly that moment — drop-off zones move around during major events, so expect queues if you ride.

Before you travel: bags are screened and event-day arrangements can change — official park rules ↗
06 — Explore Kai Tak

The hours between sessions.

Kai Tak is more than the arena — it's a rebuilt airport with a harbour promenade, a mall on the station, and 700 years of history in walking distance. Tap a number, or read the list below.

Illustrated map of the Kai Tak area with five numbered spots, listed below
  • 1Waterfront promenade Inside the park

    The park's own harbourfront walk along the old runway edge — the free pre-session hour.

  • 2AIRSIDE At Kai Tak station

    The 700,000 sq ft mall directly connected to Kai Tak station (Exit C) — food, cinema, air-con.

  • 3Kowloon Walled City Park About 15 min walk

    A classical garden on the site of the infamous Walled City. The best history stop this close.

  • 4Cruise Terminal rooftop park Runway tip

    23,000 sq m of lawn at the old runway's tip, open 7am–11pm — the harbour panorama.

  • 5Sung Wong Toi Garden By Sung Wong Toi station

    A Song-dynasty monument that survived the airport being blasted around it. Kai Tak in one stone.

07 — Where to play

Where else to play in Hong Kong.

Watching pickleball for a week and not playing any is a strange way to spend a trip. Our partner venues lead, then the closest places to the Arena to pick up a game — including the public courts inside Kai Tak Sports Park itself.

212HK — partner-supplied photo
Partner

212HK

Wong Chuk Hang · HK Island

Featured partner. Indoor courts in Wong Chuk Hang, two minutes from the MTR — the pick if you are staying on Hong Kong Island.

Book a court at 212HK
Asia Aces Pickleball Academy — partner-supplied photo
Partner

Asia Aces Pickleball Academy

Wong Chuk Hang & Cyberport · HK Island

Featured partner. Academy-first venue in Wong Chuk Hang with a second club at Cyberport — coaching ladder, in-house tournaments, and late weekend hours if the Slam leaves you wanting lessons, not just courts.

Book at Asia Aces
Kai Tak Sports Park (Polaris Park)

Kai Tak Sports Park (Polaris Park)

Kai Tak

Hong Kong's flagship sports complex at the former Kai Tak Airport site. Five covered hard-surface pickleball courts in the Polaris Park section. Brand-new world-class facilities with excellent infrastructure.

Court details →
PickOne

PickOne

San Po Kong

Training-focused venue in San Po Kong with one standard court and two dedicated training courts. Good option for Diamond Hill players looking for coaching and drill practice without competing for a full court.

Court details →
Dink & Chic

Dink & Chic

Kowloon Bay

A single court on the 23rd floor of Billion Centre, where the window behind the baseline frames Kai Tak Sports Park. No court in the city has a better view. The setup itself is done properly: tournament-grade Arronax net at regulation height, a 4.3 metre ceiling with room for lobs, and over 2.5 metres of clearance on all four sides. Book online in hourly slots, and coaching is available if you want it.

Court details →
Pick and Match, MegaBox

Pick and Match, MegaBox

Kowloon Bay

11,000 sq ft multi-sport flagship inside MegaBox, first indoor courts in HK with high-grip acrylic and ~5m ceilings. Also offers smart tennis lanes and a golf sim.

Court details →
08 — Questions

The things people actually ask.

When and where is the PPA Hong Kong Slam 2026?
19-25 October 2026 at Kai Tak Arena, inside Kai Tak Sports Park in Kowloon. The closest MTR is Kai Tak station on the Tuen Ma line, Exit D, about a 5-10 minute walk.
Are spectator tickets on sale yet?
Yes. Tickets are on sale now through HK Ticketing, which went on public sale on 10 September 2026 after a Hang Seng Visa priority window. General admission is HK$180 and an HK Ticketing account is required.
Is the Slam at Kai Tak Stadium?
No. It is at Kai Tak Arena, the 10,000-seat indoor arena inside Kai Tak Sports Park. That is a different building from the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium next door, though both sit in the same park.
Can I still enter as an amateur player?
No. Amateur registration closed on 17 September 2026 at 12:00 HKT with more than 1,000 players entered. Draws are seeded by DUPR on pickleballtournaments.com. Amateur paddles must be UPA-A or USAP certified. If you missed out, the Arronax Summer Cup in Tsuen Wan runs amateur events up to 11 October.
Which professional players are competing?
The player field has not been announced yet. As the 2026 PPA Tour Asia finale carrying up to US$1.1M in prize money, it is the biggest event of the Asian season. We will list names here as the organiser confirms them.
How do I get to Kai Tak Arena?
Take the Tuen Ma line to Kai Tak station and use Exit D, roughly a 5-10 minute walk. Sung Wong Toi station is a workable alternative. Drop-off zones for taxis change during major events, so check on-site signage on the day.
Can I drive to Kai Tak Arena? Is there parking?
Yes. Kai Tak Sports Park (38-39 Shing Kai Road) has two on-site car parks, the Stadium Carpark and the Arena Carpark, plus designated drop-off and pick-up areas for taxis and private cars. The park applies special arrangements to its car parks and drop-off zones during events, so check its parking page the day before a Slam session. When a session lets out, the MTR is usually the quicker way home.
Where should I stay for the Hong Kong Slam?
The closest hotel is Dorsett Kai Tak, about a 10-minute walk from Kai Tak Sports Park. Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees in To Kwa Wan is one MTR stop away on the Tuen Ma line and usually cheaper. Anywhere on the Tuen Ma line works, because Kai Tak station is the closest stop to the arena.
Does DinkStart sell tickets to the Hong Kong Slam?
No. DinkStart is an independent Hong Kong pickleball guide with no affiliation to the organisers. We point you to the official ticketing channels and never handle payment, bookings or refunds.
What does it mean that this is a Slam?
A Slam is the top tier on the PPA Tour, worth 1,500 ranking points. This is the first one ever staged in Asia and the finale of the 2026 PPA Tour Asia season, with a prize purse of up to US$1.1M.

Know someone coming to the Slam?

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