Each league has a primary night time. MLP Asia’s begins on Friday, 13 November 2026, in Tokyo, the place THE DOTS TOKYO have the honour of internet hosting the primary match day in league historical past. The stage is Sansan Pickleball Court docket Ikebukuro, and the night brings two matches, a variety of new partnerships and the primary factors of the season.
The Schedule
- Match 1: THE DOTS TOKYO vs Manila Helios
- Match 2: THE DOTS TOKYO vs Malayan Stripes
Play begins at 6:00 p.m. in Tokyo (GMT+9). In different international locations, the matches start as follows:
| Nation | Time Zone | 6:00 p.m. Sport | 7:30 p.m. Sport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philippines | GMT+8 | 5:00 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. |
| Hong Kong | GMT+8 | 5:00 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. |
| Singapore | GMT+8 | 5:00 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. |
| China | GMT+8 | 5:00 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. |
| Taiwan | GMT+8 | 5:00 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. |
| Vietnam | GMT+7 | 4:00 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. |
| Laos | GMT+7 | 4:00 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. |
| India | GMT+5:30 | 2:30 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. |
How a Match Works
Every match runs by 4 video games: Ladies’s Doubles, Males’s Doubles, Combined Doubles 1, and Combined Doubles 2. Each recreation is a single recreation to 11, so quick begins matter. All 4 are performed, and if the match is degree at 2-2, a DreamBreaker decides it.
New Companions, Opening-Evening Nerves
The rosters have been set on the drafts in September, which suggests a lot of Friday’s pairings will play collectively for the primary time. How shortly they gel might determine each matches. As a rule, the staff that settles first can have the sting.
THE DOTS TOKYO: House Court docket, House Crowd
The hosts have loads of PPA Tour Asia expertise. Captain Yuta Funemizu is the anchor, ranked No. 17 on the earth in doubles and profitable 75 p.c of his doubles matches on PPA Tour Asia.
The ladies’s aspect is the place THE DOTS TOKYO look most harmful. Rika Fujiwara has two PPA Tour Asia singles titles and a 72.7 p.c singles win fee on the tour, whereas Aiko Yoshitomi and Mihae Kwon give the house staff actual depth. Nasa Hatakeyama and Daniel Moore spherical out the roster. Common PNA readers could keep in mind Moore, the American-born, Japan-raised former nationwide champion who turned pickleball’s ambassador in Japan.
Manila Helios: Nothing to Lose
Manila Helios arrive with a lot to show. Seina Shima is their highest-ranked participant, with Mayu Ito alongside her. Captain Kim Saraza, Macy Ybañez, Jacob Diago and lefty Muhammad Aiman full a squad that can be chasing the primary upset of the season. For Philippine followers, Ybañez can be a well-recognized title after her run with Staff Asia Worldwide on the Nations Cup.
Malayan Stripes: Firepower on Paper
On paper, Malayan Stripes carry probably the most firepower. Lacy Schneemann is the highest-ranked participant in Tokyo at No. 11 on the earth, and Eunggwon Kim isn’t far behind at No. 23. Kim has been a fixture on PPA Tour Asia, profitable 63 p.c of his 152 matches and near 70 p.c in doubles.
Xiao Yi Wang-Beckvall provides extra PPA Tour Asia expertise, whereas captain Jimmy Liong, Syed Uzair and Athilla Miasara lead the home core.
On Paper, It’s Shut
Going by common World Pickleball Rankings, Malayan Stripes arrive as favourites at No. 74. THE DOTS TOKYO sit at No. 129, and Manila Helios at No. 286.
Have a look at every staff’s prime 4 solely and it tightens up. Malayan Stripes common No. 41, THE DOTS TOKYO No. 43, and Manila Helios No. 208. However with new partnerships and first-night nerves, chemistry might depend for greater than rankings.
If It Goes to a DreamBreaker
A DreamBreaker is determined in singles, which fits the hosts. Fujiwara, Kwon, Yoshitomi and Hatakeyama are all ranked contained in the world’s prime 33 in singles, and Hatakeyama is the one to look at on the boys’s aspect, with a PPA Tour Asia singles silver to his title.
Malayan Stripes can reply with Schneemann, Kim and captain Jimmy Liong, all contained in the singles prime 55. Manila Helios will lean on Shima.
The way to Watch
Discover broadcast particulars on MLP Asia’s web site. First match, first residence crowd, first factors of MLP Asia historical past: it’s going to get loud.
