The 2026 China National Pickleball Championships opened in Hebi, Henan province, on the evening of 2 September 2026, with the scale of this year’s event showing just how quickly the sport is taking off in China.
Key Takeaways from Hebi's Pickleball Dominance:
- Nearly 500 participants are competing across 33 teams
- Participation has jumped from 311 athletes last year
- Hebi has built 800+ pickleball courts since introducing the sport in 2023
- The championships are helping drive national development, competition and tourism
China’s Pickleball Growth Accelerates
As the country’s top-tier pickleball competition, the championships have attracted nearly 500 participants across 33 teams, representing all 32 provincial-level regions of China. That marks a significant increase from the inaugural national championships, which were also held in Hebi last year and featured 311 athletes from 25 teams.
In just one year, both participation and team numbers have grown substantially, suggesting China’s national pickleball scene is gaining serious momentum rather than simply maintaining an annual competition.
How Hebi Became China’s Pickleball Hotspot
Hebi’s emergence as a pickleball hub is no coincidence. The city introduced pickleball in 2023 and, with support from the Henan provincial sports bureau, began positioning the sport as a major development priority for the region.
In only two years, Hebi has built more than 800 courts, trained over 260 professional coaches and referees, and attracted more than 120,000 residents to the sport. Mayor Li Ke has since described Hebi as both a pioneer and a model city for pickleball development across Henan.
The city has also gone beyond hosting major tournaments and international exhibitions. A growing grassroots competition system now includes municipal open tournaments, county-level championships and community competitions, helping keep pickleball active throughout the year.
National Championships Aim to Build the Sport
The China National Pickleball Championships are about more than simply deciding the winners. According to Song Hongfei, secretary-general of the China Pickleball Circuit, the event also provides an opportunity to assess how the sport is developing across different provinces and cities, with each region sending its strongest athletes to compete.
The championships also play a role in establishing clearer competition rules and systems as pickleball continues to develop across China.
Pickleball Meets Tourism in Hebi
Hebi has also used the national championships to promote itself as a tourism destination. In previous editions, the city launched its “Watch the Games, Tour Hebi” initiative, offering curated travel routes and ticket discounts to visitors attending the competition.
With participation continuing to climb, the combination of grassroots development, major competitions, government investment and tourism could further cement Hebi’s reputation as one of China’s leading pickleball cities.
