News & Stories
May 2, 2025
Hanoi is set to welcome a new milestone in its growing pickleball scene with the 1st Economic & Urban Newspaper Pickleball Tournament 2025, an exciting event scheduled from March 15 to 16 at the Pickleball Complex of the Center for Culture, Information, Sports, and Tourism of Cau Giay District. This tournament not only celebrates the dynamic growth of pickleball in the capital but also marks the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Hanoi City Party Committee, established on March 17, 1930.
Tournament Overview
Event: 1st Economic & Urban Newspaper Pickleball Tournament 2025
Dates: March 15–16, 2025
Location: Pickleball Complex, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
Participants: Vietnamese and international athletes legally residing, working, or traveling in Vietnam
Prize Pool: Hundreds of millions of VND
Promoting Pickleball and Community in Hanoi
At a press conference held on February 26 in Hanoi, Nguyen Thanh Loi, Editor-in-Chief of the Economic & Urban Newspaper and Head of the Organizing Committee, shared the purpose of the tournament:
“The first Kinh te & Do thi Newspaper pickleball tournament was organized to promote the movement, develop the sport of pickleball in Hanoi, create opportunities for pickleball lovers to compete, share their passion as well as connect social relationships and fans of this new sport.”
The tournament aims to create a meaningful playground for both amateur and experienced players, encouraging broader participation in the sport while fostering community ties. It also supports the ongoing development of Hanoi’s sports culture and promotes the Economic & Urban Newspaper brand to readers and the public.
(Photo Source: https://laodongthudo.vn/khoi-tranh-giai-pickleball-bao-kinh-te-va-do-thi-lan-thu-i-nam-2025-185432.html)
Tournament Structure and Events
With around 500 athletes expected, the tournament features 10 categories, divided between amateur and open-level competition to suit a range of players:
Amateur Events:
Men’s Doubles (Under 40 & Over 40)
Women’s Doubles (Under 35 & Over 35)
Mixed Doubles (Under 35 & Over 35)
Open Events:
Men’s Doubles
Women’s Doubles
Mixed Doubles
Men’s Singles
To ensure fair competition, specific participation rules apply. Athletes who are national champions, professional coaches in pickleball or related racket sports (such as tennis, table tennis, and badminton), and players with high-level achievements—such as winners of major national tournaments or those with a Pickleball Vietnam rating of 3.5 or higher—are not permitted in the amateur categories. These restrictions help maintain competitive balance and support grassroots player development.
Eligible participants include both Vietnamese and international players who are legally living, working, or traveling in Vietnam and meet the tournament's civil and legal requirements.
Competition Format
The tournament will follow USA Pickleball (USAP) rules and apply a round-robin format in the group stages.
Group stage matches: 1 set to 11 points, switching sides at 6 points.
Knockout stages (from quarterfinals onward): 1 set to 15 points.
Finals: 1 set to 15 points.
Tiebreakers in group play will prioritize point difference, followed by head-to-head results.
Attractive Prize Pool
The tournament features a significant prize structure, totaling hundreds of millions of VND, demonstrating strong investment from the organizers to support the sport's growth.
For amateur (movement) categories:
First Prize: 5 million VND, trophy, and prizes.
Second Prize: 3 million VND, trophy, and prizes.
Third Prize: 2 million VND, trophy, and prizes.
For open categories:
First Prize: 15 million VND, trophy, and prizes.
Second Prize: 7 million VND, trophy, and prizes.
Third Prize: 5 million VND, trophy, and prizes.
In certain open events like Men's Doubles, Mixed Doubles, and Men's Singles, two teams will share third place, each receiving full third-place rewards.
(Photo Source: https://laodongthudo.vn/khoi-tranh-giai-pickleball-bao-kinh-te-va-do-thi-lan-thu-i-nam-2025-185432.html)
Strengthening Pickleball’s Future in Vietnam
The 1st Economic & Urban Newspaper Pickleball Tournament 2025 represents a key moment for pickleball in Hanoi, offering athletes a high-quality competitive experience while helping introduce more people to this exciting sport. With strong support from the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, the People's Committee of Cau Giay District, and other related agencies, this event promises to be a landmark in Vietnam's pickleball journey.
As Hanoi continues to embrace pickleball, tournaments like this will play an essential role in building a vibrant, connected, and passionate pickleball community.
