The Hang Seng Bank Hong Kong Slam 2026 is bringing the biggest names in pickleball to Kai Tak Arena from October 19 to 25, with the final PPA Tour Asia titles of 2026 on the line. The entire top six of the World Pickleball Rankings, including Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters, will be in action as Hong Kong prepares to host one of the deepest fields of the season.
Key Takeaways
- Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters return to Asia for the first time since April, with their successful partnerships from the MB Hanoi Cup intact.
- Gabe Tardio arrives on a two-stop gold-medal streak, while JW and Jorja Johnson, Parris Todd and Rachel Rohrabacher make their Asia debuts.
- The event features the world's top six and marks the first-ever PPA Asia 1500 tournament.
- Players will compete for up to USD $1.1 million in prize money, 1,500 World Pickleball Ranking points and the season's dragon head medal.
The Sequel Everyone Wants
Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters are both returning to Asia for the first time since April, and their previous continental stop provides plenty of intrigue heading into Hong Kong.
At the MB Hanoi Cup, both players collected two gold medals. Waters won Women's Doubles alongside Anna Bright, while Johns took Men's Doubles with world No. 2 Gabe Tardio. Johns and Waters also combined to win Mixed Doubles.
All three partnerships return intact for Hong Kong, making this less of a new storyline and more of a blockbuster sequel picking up where Hanoi left off.
Tardio Brings a Two-Tournament Streak
Gabe Tardio arrives in Hong Kong with serious momentum. The world No. 2 has won gold at his last two Asia stops, first alongside Johns in Hanoi before claiming a double crown of his own at the Leapmotor Kuala Lumpur Cup earlier this month. Hong Kong now gives Tardio his deepest field of the year to contend with, putting that winning streak to a significant test.
Four Stars Make Their Asia Debuts
Hong Kong will also mark the Asia debut for four of the sport's most dangerous players, adding another layer of intrigue to an already stacked field. Siblings JW Johnson and Jorja Johnson arrive fresh from eliminating Johns and Waters in the Mixed Doubles semi-finals at the Veolia Pickleball National Championships. That result immediately raises the prospect of a highly anticipated rematch at Kai Tak.
JW will also introduce a new Men's Doubles partnership with Tama Shimabukuro, a pairing that has already attracted attention in the United States. Hong Kong will provide the first major test of whether their chemistry can translate to the PPA Tour Asia stage.
Jorja, meanwhile, will team up with world No. 4 Tyra Hurricane Black in Women's Doubles. The pair previously faced Waters and Bright at the Mesa Cup, where they were swept. Another meeting in Hong Kong would carry plenty of added stakes.
The other Asia debutants are world No. 5 Parris Todd and No. 6 Rachel Rohrabacher, who will team up in Women's Doubles. Todd will also compete in Mixed Doubles alongside Christian Alshon, while Rohrabacher partners Tardio.
Alshon and Funemizu Bring the Fireworks
Christian Alshon already has PPA Tour Asia pedigree, having claimed a singles title at the Panas Malaysia Cup in 2025. He now arrives in Hong Kong looking for more gold across the board. His Men's Doubles partnership with Yuta Funemizu, however, could be one of the most entertaining combinations to watch.
Funemizu has built his reputation as an upset machine driven by raw passion and energy. Put that alongside Alshon's experience and pedigree, and the pairing has all the ingredients for some of the week's most intense matches.
The Rest of the Top Six Join the Battle
The rest of the world's top six will also be heavily involved across the draw. World No. 4 Federico Staksrud and No. 5 Hayden Patriquin will join forces in Men's Doubles. Staksrud will also partner Danni-Elle Townsend in Mixed Doubles, while Patriquin teams up with Bright.
Black adds a second event to her schedule as well, partnering Eric Oncins in Mixed Doubles. With so many of the world's leading players competing across multiple disciplines, the Hong Kong Slam promises storylines in virtually every draw.
A Historic PPA Tour Asia Finale
Beyond the star power, the Hang Seng Bank Hong Kong Slam 2026 carries genuine historical significance. The event will be the first-ever PPA Asia 1500 tournament and serve as the finale of the entire 2026 PPA Tour Asia season.
Players will compete for up to USD $1.1 million in prize money, 1,500 World Pickleball Ranking points and the season's dragon head medal. With the biggest names in the sport all converging on Hong Kong, the stakes extend well beyond a single tournament.
Getting In on the Action
Fans heading to Kai Tak Arena can choose between seated and standing tickets. Seated tickets put fans courtside for the week's biggest matches across both Championship Court and Grandstand Court, including the title-deciding action on Championship Sunday, October 25.
Standing Tickets provide access to every other court in the venue, allowing fans to move around and choose the matches they want to watch. However, Championship Court and Grandstand Court are not included with this ticket tier.
Pickletown will also serve as the tournament's fan hub, with meet-and-greets taking place throughout the week for fans hoping to grab a photo or signed paddle from their favourite players. Seven days, the world's top six and a season finale loaded with star power — Hong Kong is set for a major PPA Tour Asia showdown.
