Video by Chen Siqi

Players compete during the 2025-2026 APBA Pickleball Open Individual Finals at Jianshang Sports Complex in Longhua District, Shenzhen. Photos courtesy of event organizers

The 2025-2026 APBA Pickleball Open Individual Finals concluded on July 19 at Jianshang Sports Complex in Longhua District, bringing together more than 1,700 entries from 23 countries and regions for a four-day competition that combined elite-level matches with community participation.

As the season-ending event of the APBA tournament series, the finals featured professional players and amateur enthusiasts competing across multiple categories, highlighting pickleball’s growing popularity as an accessible and international sport.

The tournament opened on July 16 with performances featuring street dance, martial arts, lion dance and cheerleading before the start of the PRO division competitions.

Lion dancers perform at the opening ceremony of the 2025-2026 APBA Pickleball Open Individual Finals in Longhua District on July 16. 

The PRO division attracted top players from home and abroad, including Dutch women’s singles player Rosalie Van Reek, Hsieh Yu Chieh from Taiwan, China, and U.S. men’s singles player Jack Foster. Players delivered intense matches featuring fast exchanges, net play and powerful baseline shots, with several contests decided by narrow margins.

Beyond competition, the event also provided a platform for international sports exchanges. Players from different countries and regions competed on the same court, exchanged greetings after matches and shared their passion for the emerging sport.

Shelby Bates from the U.S. competes during the 2025-2026 APBA Pickleball Open Grand Finals PRO Division at Jianshang Sports Complex in Longhua District on July 16. 

A sport for all ages

Alongside the professional division, the tournament offered open categories and age groups for players aged 35+, 50+ and 60+, covering both singles and doubles events.

Participants ranged in age from 13 to 76, with young players, middle-aged enthusiasts and senior athletes all taking part. The broad age range reflected one of pickleball’s defining features: relatively low barriers to entry combined with strong recreational appeal.

The tournament also expanded its reach through online broadcasts, with professional commentary and live coverage of key matches. The event’s livestreams and related content generated more than 2 million views and impressions, according to organizers.

Players shake hands after a match at the 2025-2026 APBA Pickleball Open in Longhua District.

Off the court, a series of activities allowed visitors to experience the sport beyond competition. Beginner training areas, equipment trial zones, themed exhibitions, cultural product booths and photo spots attracted families, young visitors and fitness enthusiasts throughout the event.

By combining professional competition, public participation and international exchanges, the tournament showcased Longhua’s growing capacity to host diverse sporting events and connect local communities with global participants.

The event also added momentum to the district’s efforts to promote sports participation and develop an international urban environment through cultural and athletic exchanges.