PPA Hong Kong Slam Tournament Preview

The world's best pickleball players have descended on Hong Kong for the first-ever PPA Tour Asia 1500 event, featuring up to $1.1 million in professional prize money and payouts.

The biggest professional pickleball tournament in Asian history is underway.

The 2026 Hang Seng Bank Hong Kong Slam, taking place October 19–25 at Kai Tak Arena, marks the first-ever PPA Tour Asia 1500 event and serves as the season finale for the rapidly expanding international tour.

With 1,500 ranking points available to champions and a field featuring virtually every major name in professional pickleball, the stakes couldn't be much higher.

The early rounds are already complete in several draws, setting the stage for an entertaining weekend of championship pickleball.

Here's everything you need to know.

Top Four Storylines

1. The Biggest Tournament in PPA Tour Asia History

The Hong Kong Slam represents a major milestone for professional pickleball's international expansion.

With over $1 million in prize money and payouts and 1,500 ranking points for champions, it's the richest professional pickleball tournament ever held in Asia.

More importantly, the field rivals some of the biggest tournaments in the United States, bringing together top American professionals and the best players competing on the Asian circuit.

2. Johns and Waters Return to Asia

Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters return to Asia for the first time since April's Hanoi Cup, where each captured two gold medals.

Johns reunites with Gabriel Tardio in men's doubles, Waters partners Anna Bright in women's doubles, and Johns and Waters will compete together in mixed doubles.

All three teams enter as No. 1 seeds.

Can they repeat their success against a significantly deeper field?

3. Kaitlyn Christian Chasing an Asian Three-Peat

Kaitlyn Christian has entered two PPA Tour Asia singles tournaments in 2026 and won both.

The top seed captured gold in Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur and now looks to make it three consecutive Asian singles titles.

However, fifth-seeded Judit Castillo, who defeated Christian in the Australia Pickleball Cup semifinals, could be waiting in the quarterfinals.

4. A Potential Johns Brothers Showdown

Ben and Collin Johns could find themselves on opposite sides of the net in the men's doubles quarterfinals.

Ben and Gabriel Tardio are the top seeds, while Collin and Len Yang are seeded eighth.

If both teams advance, the brothers would face each other for a spot in the semifinals.

Early Upsets and Notable Results

Although the tournament is only entering the Round of 16, several noteworthy results have already emerged.

Joey Wild defeats Will MacKinnon

Australian Joey Wild delivered one of the early surprises, defeating Will MacKinnon 13-11, 7-11, 11-8 in the men's singles Round of 64.

Wild narrowly captured the opening game before MacKinnon forced a decider. The Australian held on in the third to advance.

Eric Oncins eliminates JW Johnson

Eric Oncins ended JW Johnson's men's singles campaign in the Round of 32, winning 11-5, 11-7.

The victory sets up an intriguing Round of 16 matchup against second-seeded Federico Staksrud.

Other notable results:

• Christopher Haworth defeated Zane Navratil 11-3, 12-10.
• Hong Kit Wong defeated men's doubles partner Eunggwon Kim 11-5, 11-5.
• Nok Yiu Tang advanced to the Round of 16 after defeating Mihae Kwon 11-9, 11-3.

Broadcast Schedule: How to Watch

Coverage of the Hong Kong Slam is available on the PPA Tour Asia YouTube channel.

All times Eastern

Round of 16 - 9pm Wednesday - 7am Thursday

Quarterfinals - 9pm Thursday - 7am Friday

Semifinals - 9pm Friday - 7am Saturday

Championship Sunday - 1am Saturday - 6am Saturday

Watch Live: PPA Tour Asia YouTube

Brackets and Results: Official Hong Kong Slam Tournament Page

Women's Singles

PPA Tour Asia

(1) Kaitlyn Christian enters as the top seed, looking to complete an impressive three-tournament sweep of her Asian singles appearances this season.

Storylines to Watch:

• Christian vs. Castillo, Part Two? (1) Kaitlyn Christian could meet (5) Judit Castillo in the quarterfinals. Castillo won their most recent matchup at the Australia Pickleball Cup.
• Sahra Dennehy Looking for Another Deep Run: (3) Sahra Dennehy reached three semifinals at the Kuala Lumpur Cup and could face (9) Andie Dikosavljevic in the semifinals, whom she lost to in Australia last week.
• Kiora Kunimoto's Opportunity: (4) Kiora Kunimoto continues to establish herself among the sport's top young singles players and could challenge (1) Kaitlyn Christian in the semifinals.

Predictions

• Semifinalists: (1) Kaitlyn Christian, (4) Kiora Kunimoto, (3) Sahra Dennehy, (9) Andie Dikosavljevic
• Finals: Kaitlyn Christian defeats Dennehy for gold

Men's Singles

PPA Tour Asia

(1) Christopher Haworth makes his PPA Tour Asia debut as the top seed, headlining one of the tournament's deepest draws.

Storylines to Watch:

• Haworth's International Debut: (1) Christopher Haworth has already defeated Zane Navratil and now faces Vietnam's Hien Truong in the Round of 16.
• Home-Court Advantage for Hong Kit Wong: (7) Hong Kit Wong won last year's Hong Kong Open singles title and could face (2) Federico Staksrud in the quarterfinals. Their last meeting went the distance, with Staksrud escaping 7-11, 11-6, 12-10.
• Staksrud's Difficult Path: (2) Federico Staksrud faces Eric Oncins in the Round of 16 after Oncins eliminated JW Johnson. (7) Hong Kit Wong could be waiting in the quarterfinals.

Predictions

• Semifinalists: (1) Christopher Haworth, (4) Christian Alshon, (2) Federico Staksrud, (3) Hunter Johnson
• Finals: Christopher Haworth defeats Federico Staksrud for gold

Mixed Doubles

PPA Tour Asia

(1) Ben Johns/Anna Leigh Waters headline a loaded mixed doubles field as the tournament's top seeds.

Storylines to Watch:

• Can the Johnson Siblings Do It Again? (3) JW Johnson/Jorja Johnson defeated (1) Ben Johns/Anna Leigh Waters in the mixed doubles semifinals at the Veolia Pickleball National Championships.
• New Partnerships Looking for Breakthroughs: Federico Staksrud/Danni-Elle Townsend are a new partnership looking to make a deep run.

Predictions

• Semifinalists: (1) Ben Johns/Anna Leigh Waters, (4) Christian Alshon/Parris Todd, (3) JW Johnson/Jorja Johnson, (2) Anna Bright/Hayden Patriquin
• Finals: Ben Johns/Anna Leigh Waters defeat Anna Bright/Hayden Patriquin for gold

Women's Doubles

PPA Tour Asia

(1) Anna Leigh Waters/Anna Bright enter as the top seeds after going undefeated together for over 400 days.

Storylines to Watch:

• The Annas Return: (1) Anna Leigh Waters/Anna Bright reunite internationally, looking to add another championship to their already impressive partnership resume.
• Todd and Rohrabacher Make Their Asian Debuts: (3) Parris Todd/Rachel Rohrabacher are among several highly ranked American professionals competing in Asia for the first time.
• Hong Kong's Home-Court Hope: (7) Nok Yiu Tang/Chao Yi Wang could meet (2) Jorja Johnson/Tyra Hurricane Black in the quarterfinals.

Predictions

• Semifinalists: (1) Anna Leigh Waters/Anna Bright, (4) Catherine Parenteau/Sofia Sewing, (3) Parris Todd/Rachel Rohrabacher, (2) Jorja Johnson/Tyra Hurricane Black
• Finals: Anna Leigh Waters/Anna Bright defeat Jorja Johnson/Tyra Hurricane Black for gold

Men's Doubles

PPA Tour Asia

(1) Ben Johns/Gabriel Tardio headline a competitive men's doubles draw as the top seeds.

Storylines to Watch:

• The Johns Brothers on a Collision Course: (1) Ben Johns/Gabriel Tardio could face (8) Collin Johns/Len Yang in the quarterfinals. The possibility of the brothers competing against each other is one of the tournament's most interesting potential matchups.
• JW Johnson and Tama Shimabukuro Join Forces: (4) JW Johnson/Tama Shimabukuro are an intriguing partnership, coming off their best finish together, a silver in the Australian Pickleball Cup.
• Can Staksrud and Patriquin Challenge the Top Seeds? (2) Federico Staksrud/Hayden Patriquin will look to add another title after their recent success together on the PPA Tour.

Also worth watching are (6) Dylan Frazier/Connor Garnett, along with (5) Noe Khlif/Eric Oncins.

Predictions

• Semifinalists: (1) Ben Johns/Gabriel Tardio, (3) Christian Alshon/Yuta Funemizu, (4) JW Johnson/Tama Shimabukuro, (2) Federico Staksrud/Hayden Patriquin
• Finals: Ben Johns/Gabriel Tardio defeat Federico Staksrud/Hayden Patriquin for gold