Society - Culture

Heineken Pickleball World Cup 2026 sets two Guinness world records

Translated by THU LE • 03/09/2026 10:57

DNO - Da Nang has made sports history as the Heineken Pickleball World Cup 2026 officially opened on September 2, marking the first time the global tournament has been held in Asia and setting two Guinness World Records.

1(1).jpg — Da Nang People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen Manh Hung delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. Photo: VINH ANH - BAO LAM

Held at the Tien Son Sports Palace, the opening ceremony brought together more than 5,000 athletes and featured representatives from 65 national teams and territories.

The tournament, running from August 30 to September 6, is being contested in two categories: national teams and individual competition.

The highlight of the opening ceremony was the presentation of two Guinness World Records to the tournament.

The first recognizes it as the event bringing together athletes representing the largest number of countries and territories to a locality. The second recognizes its trophy as the most valuable ever recorded at the time of certification.

The opening ceremony also featured a colourful parade of the 65 participating national teams and territories, followed by a large-scale drum performance titled “Road to Glory,” involving more than 1,000 officers, cadets and personnel from the People’s Police Academy.

2(1).jpg — Representatives of Guinness World Records presented the certificate recognizing the tournament as the “event featuring athletes representing the largest number of countries and territories” to Da Nang leaders. Photo: VINH ANH - BAO LAM

Delivering a speech at the opening ceremony, Da Nang People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen Manh Hung said the greatest value of the Heineken Pickleball World Cup 2026 lies not simply in its scale, but in the opportunity it creates for people from different countries, languages and cultural backgrounds to meet in one shared space.

The tournament provides a platform to strengthen friendship and mutual understanding among nations in tandem with showcasing Da Nang to international visitors.

Da Nang sees international sporting events not only as a way to promote physical activity and enrich community life, but also as an important driver of the city’s event economy, tourism industry and people-to-people diplomacy.

3(3).jpg — Da Nang People’s Council Chairman Nguyen Duc Dung (left) presented the Title Sponsor award to a representative of Heineken. Photo: VINH ANH - BAO LAM

Through the positive experiences of athletes, visitors and international guests, the city’s image can be promoted in an authentic and compelling way.

The city hopes the Heineken Pickleball World Cup will go beyond being a successful sporting event in 2026 and develop into a long-term international sports brand associated with Da Nang in the years ahead.

“We want to send a simple message: No matter where people come from, what language they speak or what culture they belong to, they can still find common values to share and move toward the future together,” Da Nang People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen Manh Hung said, expressing confidence that the tournament would be a success and leave a lasting impression.

A representative of the Pickleball World Cup organization said the tournament aims not only to provide a global competitive platform, but also to connect countries and help bring pickleball to audiences around the world.

Da Nang People’s Committee Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Anh Thi (center) presented Diamond and Gold Sponsor awards to representatives of sponsoring organisations. Photo: VINH ANH - BAO LAM

The choice of Da Nang for the tournament comes as pickleball continues its rapid international expansion.

The Heineken Pickleball World Cup 2026 in Da Nang has made history as the first edition of the Pickleball World Cup to be held in Asia.

With teams from across the region and delegations from around the world taking part, the tournament highlights the sport’s rapid global growth and marks a significant milestone in its international development.

4(1).jpg — A view of the opening ceremony. Photo: VINH ANH - BAO LAM

Vietnam’s pickleball team marched at the opening ceremony of the Heineken Pickleball World Cup 2026. Photo: VINH ANH - BAO LAM

Athletes representing countries and territories marched at the opening ceremony. Photo: VINH ANH – BAO LAM

Officers, cadets and personnel from the People’s Police Academy performed a drum show themed “Road to Glory.” Photo: VINH ANH - BAO LAM

Artists performed a medley of “Hello Vietnam” and “One Round Around Vietnam” at the opening ceremony. Photo: VINH ANH - BAO LAM

A large crowd gathered at Tien Son Sports Palace to attend the opening ceremony. Photo: VINH ANH - BAO LAM

The Heineken Pickleball World Cup 2026 matches have delivered thrilling action, drawing large crowds of spectators and fans and creating a vibrant atmosphere at Tien Son Sports Palace in Hoa Cuong Ward and pickleball venues across Da Nang.

The excitement surrounding the tournament 2026 is reaching new heights as players enter the decisive rounds of the competition.

2-9-bai-tt11 (1) — Thrilling professional-category matches take place at Tien Son Sports Palace. Photo: NGUYEN KHANG

Singaporean athlete Estephny Tan said Da Nang and its partners had delivered an international-caliber tournament, both in terms of scale and organization.

Beyond immersing herself in the excitement of the competition, she said she was pleased to compete on professional-standard courts, cheered on by enthusiastic spectators. She gave her best on court in pursuit of the strongest possible result.