The next generation of pickleball players took centre stage at the Empire NextGen Series Championship 2026, held on 30 and 31 May 2026 at Empire Pickle Club, Kota Kemuning.
The tournament brought together young athletes and amateur players from across the region for two days of competitive action, making it one of the exciting youth-focused pickleball events in the country. With Junior and Combined categories on offer and a total prize pool of RM39,470, the championship attracted emerging talents eager to test their skills on a larger stage.
More than just a competition, the Empire NextGen Series Championship 2026 was designed as a professional-level tournament for young and amateur athletes.
The championship brought together many promising players from Southeast Asian countries, providing them with an opportunity to compete, gain experience, and develop their potential in a structured competitive environment.
The tournament forms part of a broader effort to identify and develop the next generation of pickleball players in the region. By exposing young athletes to professional tournament standards, organisers hope to accelerate their growth and prepare them for higher levels of competition in the future.
A key driving force behind the initiative is Kidslympic Malaysia, which aims to help build a stronger ecosystem for youth pickleball in the country. Through tournaments such as the Empire NextGen Series Championship, the organisation hopes to contribute towards discovering new talents and creating more opportunities for children and young athletes to participate in the rapidly growing sport.
The championship also received support from sponsor Equiptox, which shares the vision of encouraging greater participation in sports and active lifestyles. Speaking during the event, Dr Janet highlighted one of the qualities that makes pickleball stand out from many other sports. According to her, pickleball is unique because of its ability to bring people together regardless of age, background, or profession.
As pickleball continues to gain popularity across Malaysia and Southeast Asia, events like the Empire NextGen Series Championship 2026 are expected to play an increasingly important role in developing future stars and strengthening the sport’s grassroots foundation.
With strong participation, enthusiastic support from families and sponsors, and a growing pool of talented young players, the championship showcased the bright future of pickleball in the region.
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