Kuala Lumpur, Tardio’s Coming To Your Kitchen

World No.2. First time in Malaysia. Five days at The Hood.

The Leapmotor Kuala Lumpur Cup 2026 has its headline act.

Gabe Tardio, WPR No.2, is coming to Kuala Lumpur. He is set to make his Malaysia debut at The Hood, September 9–13, for five days of professional pickleball in front of a KL crowd.

Expect big plays from the Bolivian baller. Tardio runs amok with the ball on a string, pulling ATPs from angles that shouldn’t exist and speeding up balls most of the tour would leave alone. The personality overflows onto the court with it. Top performance in all senses of the word, often it feels like he’s playing as much for the crowd as for the point. You won’t want to miss out.

He’s Not Coming Alone

Two new Asia partnerships are also landing in Kuala Lumpur.

Noe Khlif makes his Asia debut alongside Tardio. The duo were just staring each other down from opposite ends of the court at the Major League Pickleball Finals in New York. Only a couple weeks later they are set to be on the same side of the net. In Mixed Doubles, Tardio pairs with Jessie Irvine, one of the most decorated and flat-out entertaining players in the game.

>>> GET TICKETS NOW FOR THE LEAPMOTOR KUALA LUMPUR CUP 2026

With an Asian title already from his MB Hanoi Cup visit earlier in the year, Tardio is set for more championship runs when he kicks off his KL campaign.

The Tardio Show Starts Here

The PPA Asia 1000 event is the opening stop on a wider swing through Asia for Tardio that runs across three destinations over two weeks. After The Hood, Tardio stays on in Malaysia for clinics with local players before heading to Singapore for community sessions, exhibition matches and meet-and-greets, then finishing up in the Philippines with more of the same.

It’s a rare chance for picklers in this part of the world to get close to someone at the very top of the game. But Kuala Lumpur is where you’ll see him in competition mode, with a title on the line, and full game on show.

Be There

Five days. One venue. Every round from the first serve on Wednesday to the last point on Championship Sunday.

Leapmotor Kuala Lumpur Cup 2026 is set to go down at The Hood, Kuala Lumpur from Wednesday 9 – Sunday 13 September. Single-day tickets, including premium courtside and VIP experiences, and 5-Day GA Season Passes on sale now via Tixr.