The inaugural MLP Asia season begins on Friday, November 13, with six teams competing for the league’s first championship. Among the latest teams to introduce themselves, THE DOTS TOKYO and the Viet Panthers are looking to build stronger pickleball communities in their home markets while competing on the regional stage.
Key Points:
- MLP Asia opens on November 13 with six teams, followed by the semifinals on December 11 and the championship on December 12.
- THE DOTS TOKYO, backed by TBS Holdings and dentsu Sports & Entertainment, aims to develop Japan’s pickleball scene.
- The Viet Panthers, supported by Ascend Sports Partners, combine Vietnamese and international talent in their six-player roster.
- The two teams will meet in Vietnam on November 21, as the Panthers host their home competition day.
MLP Asia Sets the Stage for Its Inaugural Season
The inaugural MLP Asia season will feature six teams, with four advancing to the finals. The semifinals are scheduled for December 11, before the first champion is crowned on Super Saturday, December 12.
Beyond the competition, the league also offers teams an opportunity to establish professional pickleball communities in their respective markets. THE DOTS TOKYO and the Viet Panthers are approaching that goal from different directions, with plans to connect players, fans and local sporting communities.
THE DOTS TOKYO: Connecting Japan’s Pickleball Community
THE DOTS TOKYO takes its name from the idea of connecting people. Each dot represents an individual, from players and staff to fans in the stands, with pickleball bringing them together. The team hopes those connections will develop into a stronger community and a new sporting culture in Japan.
Japanese Giants Back the Team’s Vision
THE DOTS TOKYO was established jointly by TBS Holdings, one of Japan’s major broadcasters, and dentsu Sports & Entertainment, the country’s largest advertising group. The partnership will oversee team operations, brand development and commercial partnerships, while supporting the wider growth of pickleball in Japan through player development and fan engagement.
The timing comes as Japan’s pickleball community expands. The country is estimated to have around 330,000 players in 2026, approximately seven times the number recorded a year earlier. Until now, local players have not had a professional team at home to support.
Yuta Funemizu Leads the Six-Player Roster
Captain Yuta Funemizu leads THE DOTS TOKYO’s six-player lineup, alongside Daniel Moore, Nasa Hatakeyama, Rika Fujiwara, Aiko Yoshitomi and Mihae Kwon. The team will make its competitive debut on home ground, with TBS and dentsu hosting the opening match day in MLP Asia history.
THE DOTS TOKYO will face the Manila Helios before taking on the Malayan Stripes. Winning both matches would put the Japanese team in a strong position at the top of the standings on opening night.
Photo Credit: MLP Asia
Viet Panthers: Building a Vietnamese Identity
The Viet Panthers officially launched at GEM Center in Ho Chi Minh City, marking the arrival of MLP Asia’s team-based professional competition in Vietnam. Backed by Ascend Sports Partners (ASP), an organisation focused on long-term investment and sports operations, the Panthers aim to establish Vietnam as more than a host destination for international sporting events.
ASP founder and CEO Adam (Thach) Tran explained the team’s ambition: “We want Vietnam to be more than a destination for international events.”
A Blend of Vietnamese and International Talent
Vietnamese captain Quan Do leads the six-player roster. He partnered with Hien Truong to win men’s doubles gold at both the Capital Securities Beijing Open and the MB Ho Chi Minh City Open on the PPA Tour Asia this year.
Truong joins the Panthers as Do’s established doubles partner, while Sophia Nhi Huynh and Ho Tam arrive after winning gold at the Skechers Shenzhen Open.
The lineup also features international experience. Tama Shimabukuro, a 10-time PPA Tour Asia medallist, brings experience across multiple disciplines, while Kaitlyn Christian, a seven-time Asia medallist, joins after winning women’s singles at the Leapmotor Kuala Lumpur Cup.
Together, the six players give the Panthers a mix of local representation, established partnerships and regional-level experience.
AP Sports Club Named Home Venue
The Panthers have named AP Sports Club as their home venue. Plans for AP Sports Club 2 include a dedicated competition court with seating for approximately 1,000 spectators, providing space for the team to build its local following.
The franchise has also unveiled its 2026 jersey and its first merchandise collection, titled “The First Pack.” These moves form part of its effort to establish a recognisable team identity as professional pickleball develops in Vietnam.
THE DOTS TOKYO vs Viet Panthers: Upcoming Fixtures
The two teams will meet on November 21, when THE DOTS TOKYO travel to Vietnam for the Panthers’ home competition day.
Before that encounter, the Japanese side will open its campaign against Manila Helios and the Malayan Stripes. After facing the Panthers, THE DOTS TOKYO are scheduled to travel to China PR to take on the Dragon Warriors on November 27.
With TBS Holdings and dentsu Sports & Entertainment backing THE DOTS TOKYO, and Ascend Sports Partners supporting the Viet Panthers, both franchises have ambitions beyond their results on court. Their inaugural MLP Asia campaigns will also test how effectively they can build local audiences and strengthen their respective pickleball communities.
The season begins on November 13, with the first champion set to be crowned on December 12. For both teams, the challenge is to compete for the title while helping professional pickleball gain a stronger foothold in Asia.
