HNC Cup Pickleball Tournament Launches in Johor Bahru With RM74,000 Prize Pool

The paddles are swinging and the stakes are real. The HNC Cup Pickleball Tournament 2026 gets underway today at ATP Club in Johor Bahru, with a total cash prize pool of RM74,000 spread across two days of group-stage and knockout competition on 12 courts in Masai, Johor Darul Ta'zim.

Organized by Frame 9 Event and backed by title sponsor HNC Events Catering Co., the tournament draws competitors across three skill tiers: Novice DUPR, Intermediate DUPR, and Open Category. Within the Novice DUPR division alone, capped at a DUPR rating below 3.099, the Men's Double field accommodates 64 teams, while the Mixed Double and Women's Double draws are each capped at 32 teams. The full category list extends beyond those three divisions, with additional entries on the bracket not yet fully detailed in pre-tournament materials.

Currently positioned as one of the largest pickleball tournaments in Johor Bahru to date, the HNC Cup brings players from both local and international backgrounds into what organizers describe as a professionally structured competitive environment. The tournament's own copy frames it plainly: "HNC Cup brings together players of different skill levels in a well-structured and professionally organized tournament environment."

The event runs under a Group Stage plus Knockout format, with all matches taking place at ATP Club at B1, Jalan Teras Utama, Taman Perindustrian Kota Puteri. Beyond the bracket, Frame 9 Event has built curated food and social experiences into the program, positioning the HNC Cup as something closer to a weekend lifestyle event than a bare-bones club competition. The organizing team's stated objective goes beyond medals: "to promote the growth of pickleball as a sport, while creating an engaging platform for players, spectators and partners through sport, social interaction and lifestyle elements."

Registration closed on 5 March 2026, or earlier if slots filled first. The tournament carries an unranked designation on SportsSync, meaning results will not feed into official DUPR or federation standings for participating players. Competition runs through 15 March 2026, with the tagline "Play Hard. Live the Moment." setting the tone for the weekend.