DUPR Stats Reveal Malaysia, Vietnam as Undisputed Leaders of Asia’s Growing Pickleball Market
Published: Oct 28, 2025
Arthur Jones
Writer
There’s no question that pickleball is growing at an unprecedented rate here in Asia. With big, dynamic markets like Malaysia, India, Vietnam, the Philippines, and so on, it’s easy to see why. But the question has always been: Which countries are really leading the way?
Malaysia: The Emerging Pickleball Epicentre
Malaysia’s pickleball scene has skyrocketed in popularity over the years, and this growing popularity is only increasing. Over the last 90 days alone, the country has seen a +59% player growth, and projections for 2025 show an astonishing +410% increase in active DUPR players.
Clubs across Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru are expanding rapidly, introducing structured leagues and DUPR-rated events that have sparked a new era of competitive play.
Local federations and organisations such as Franklin Pickleball Malaysia have played a key role in spreading the game nationwide, hosting events that attract everyone from first-timers to national-level competitors. High-profile, world-class events like the PPA Tour Asia’s Panas Malaysia Cup 2025 are further raising pickleball’s mass appeal as well and are positioning Malaysia as a landing spot for elite-level competition.
Vietnam: Growing with the Sport
Clubs across Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru are expanding rapidly, introducing structured leagues and DUPR-rated events that have sparked a new era of competitive play.
Local federations and organisations such as Franklin Pickleball Malaysia have played a key role in spreading the game nationwide, hosting events that attract everyone from first-timers to national-level competitors. High-profile, world-class events like the PPA Tour Asia’s Panas Malaysia Cup 2025 are further raising pickleball’s mass appeal as well and are positioning Malaysia as a landing spot for elite-level competition.
Vietnam: Growing with the Sport
Vietnam’s growth tells a similarly inspiring story. The country recorded a +30% increase in DUPR players in just 90 days, with a +184% growth in 2025.
From Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, Vietnam’s pickleball community has embraced DUPR as a way to measure progress and connect with players worldwide.
Vietnam’s unique blend of athletic energy and community spirit is fuelling a culture where players are not just competing; they’re helping shape the future of pickleball in Asia.
What’s more, Vietnam has similarly positioned itself as a hub of high-profile competitions thanks to its successful hosting of PPA Tour Asia events, like the historic MB Vietnam Cup 2025, whose Championship Saturday drew over 8,000 cheering fans to set the Guinness World Record for pickleball attendance.
Truly, the growth of pickleball is both unprecedented and undeniable. And as the sport continues this upward trajectory in Asia, best believe that it will grow even more in the months and years ahead. Better believe, too, that Malaysia and Vietnam will continue to be at the forefront of this wave.
From Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, Vietnam’s pickleball community has embraced DUPR as a way to measure progress and connect with players worldwide.
Vietnam’s unique blend of athletic energy and community spirit is fuelling a culture where players are not just competing; they’re helping shape the future of pickleball in Asia.
What’s more, Vietnam has similarly positioned itself as a hub of high-profile competitions thanks to its successful hosting of PPA Tour Asia events, like the historic MB Vietnam Cup 2025, whose Championship Saturday drew over 8,000 cheering fans to set the Guinness World Record for pickleball attendance.
Truly, the growth of pickleball is both unprecedented and undeniable. And as the sport continues this upward trajectory in Asia, best believe that it will grow even more in the months and years ahead. Better believe, too, that Malaysia and Vietnam will continue to be at the forefront of this wave.
