Pickleball World Cup opens in Da Nang, features over 5,000 athletes from 65 countries, territories

The opening ceremony of the tournament was held at Tien Son Sports Arena in Da Nang, beginning with a parade of athletes.

The ceremony featured a drum performance titled "The Road to Glory" by more than 1,000 officers, soldiers and students from the People's Police Academy, along with artistic performances highlighting Vietnamese culture.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Manh Hung, chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee, welcomed international athletes to the city.

He said the greatest value of the tournament lies not only in its scale or the number of athletes taking part, but also in the gathering of people from different countries, languages, identities and cultures in one place.

The international sporting event can be seen as a cultural gathering, Hung said, expressing hope that during the tournament, athletes would not only compete but also have opportunities to learn about one another's countries, people and cultures.

"Sports bring people who have never met closer together. On the playing field, geographical distances are reduced and language differences are no longer barriers," he said.

The Da Nang leader also described the event as a bridge of friendship and expressed hope that the city would give athletes and visitors lasting memories.

At the opening ceremony, Guinness World Records recognized the Heineken Pickleball World Cup 2026 as the pickleball tournament with participants from the most countries and territories to date, with athletes registered from 78 countries and territories, while more than 5,000 athletes representing 65 countries and territories are taking part in the tournament.

In addition to competitions, the tournament features cultural exchanges, training programs, initiatives connecting sports with technology, businesses and communities, and a World Market.

These activities expand the significance of the event by creating positive community impacts, inspiring younger generations and opening up new opportunities for cooperation, Hung said.

Da Nang views international sporting events not only as a way to enrich residents' lives and promote physical activity, but also as an important part of the city's event economy, tourism economy and people-to-people diplomacy.

"The city hopes to become a hub connecting people, knowledge, culture, sports, technology and business in the region. Hosting an international-scale pickleball tournament in Da Nang is clear evidence of that direction," Hung said.

"I hope that when they leave Da Nang, every athlete and visitor will take home a beautiful memory and new friends from around the world," he added.

The Heineken Pickleball World Cup 2026 in Da Nang is taking place from August 30 to September 6.