OFFICIAL 2026 PADDLE PARTNERS OF PPA TOUR ASIA ANNOUNCED
| March 13, 2026
PPA Tour Asia is pleased to announce Facolos, Franklin, and Paddletek as Official Paddle Partners for the 2026 season, with all three brands returning to support the tour’s second year.
The continued commitment from this trio of premier brands reflects the global pickleball industry’s growing confidence in Asia as a key frontier for the sport. Their collective backing strengthens PPA Tour Asia’s position as the region’s premier professional tournament series, elevating both the competitive landscape and the spectator experience across all tournament tiers.
Each partner brings unique credentials to the tour:
Facolos
Founded and developed by a Vietnamese team, Facolos is emerging as a pioneering brand connecting the global pickleball ecosystem while helping bring Asian pickleball closer to the world stage. As the only Asian brand to partner with the PPA Tour Asia for two consecutive seasons, Facolos represents more than just high-quality products — it reflects a long-term international vision for the growth of pickleball across Asia and beyond.
The addition of Gabriel Tardio, the World No.1 Men’s Doubles player, alongside top performing PPA Asia athletes Yufei Long and Sahra Dennehy, marks a major milestone in the brand’s global strategy.
2026 is also set to be a breakthrough year for Facolos as the company expands into a full performance ecosystem. Each product is developed with serious investment in advanced technology and high-performance design.
“2026 marks a transformation year for Facolos. With a comprehensive product system and strong investment in international activities, we believe Facolos can become a driving force that helps elevate Asian pickleball onto the global stage.” Jessica Vo, Vice President of Facolos
Franklin
Founded in 1946, Franklin is a multigenerational, family-owned sporting goods company with a trusted reputation for the last 80 years. Its pickleball division delivers innovative, performance-driven equipment to elevate players of all ages and levels. Franklin has firmly established itself as one of the world’s most recognized and reliable names in the sport of pickleball. That trust is reflected in the high-performing athletes who choose Franklin paddles, including World No.1 Anna Leigh Waters, Hayden Patriquin, Parris Todd and Malaysia No.1 Jimmy Liong.
“As pickleball continues to expand internationally, we’re excited to work alongside the PPA Asia Tour to help grow the sport throughout the region. Franklin Pickleball has always focused on innovation and accessibility, and continuing our partnership with PPA Asia is a reflection of our commitment to supporting world-class competition while helping introduce more players and fans across Asia to the game we love.” Jared Franklin, Head of International at Franklin Sports
Paddletek
Founded in 2010 with a core belief that better equipment helps players unlock their potential, Paddletek has spent more than a decade pushing paddle innovation forward. Known for its relentless focus on performance, engineering precision, and athlete collaboration, Paddletek is one of the most trusted brands in the sport. From backyard courts to championship stages on the PPA Tour, Paddletek paddles are built for players who expect more from their equipment. With a roster that includes Christian Alshon, Connor Garnett, Max Freeman, Riley Newman, and Zane Navratil, the brand continues to work alongside world-class athletes to develop paddles that elevate the game for players at every level—a reflection of Paddletek’s Bigger, Bolder, Better commitment to innovation and performance.
“As pickleball continues its incredible global growth, expanding our partnership with the PPA provides an exciting opportunity to bring the worldwide pickleball community closer together.” Ron Saslow Founder and Managing Partner at Thirty-5 Capital and CEO of the Paddletek Group
PPA Tour Asia features a three-tier tournament structure – Slam, Cup and Open events – with points earned counting towards the global PPA Rankings as players chase the prestigious No.1 crown and qualify for the PPA Finals.
The 2026 season has 10 tournaments locked in to the calendar and kicks off with the MB Hanoi Cup from April 1–5, with $300,000 in prize money on the line at My Dinh Indoor Athletics Arena in Hanoi, Vietnam.
