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PCL Asia: Rising Stars FAQ

PCL Asia: Rising Stars (U19 Mixed Team Championship) Competition Overview

PCL Asia: Rising Stars is a regional youth championship established to identify, develop, and advance elite under-19 pickleball athletes across Asia. The program is structured as a standalone competition that emphasizes long-term athlete development, standardized competition, and regional collaboration through a team-based format.

The championship serves as an official youth pathway within the PCL Asia ecosystem and aligns with international best practices for junior sport development.


1. Tournament Overview

  • Format: Mixed Team format (2 male, 2 female per team).

  • Age Eligibility: All players must be 19 years old or younger (U19).

  • Core Pillars: Development-focused, team-based identity, and a pathway to professional standards.

2. Registration & Requirements

  • Entry Fee: USD $200 per team.

  • Required Submissions:

    • Player Information Dossier for each athlete, including legal name, date of birth, nationality, and competitive background

    • A 2–3 minute Team Story Video outlining team formation, values, and commitment to the sport

3. Competition Structure

  • Phase 1: Sectional Qualifiers: Teams compete locally to reduce travel costs and build sectional pride. Each region qualifies 1 team for the finals (depending on what is arranged between PCL & sectional organizer).

  • Phase 2: Rising Stars Finals: Held at the Asia Elite Pickleball Academy (AEPA) on Hainan Island, China.

    • PCL Asia covers: Airfare, local transport, and room/board for qualifying teams.

    • Pro Mentorship: Each team is paired with a Pro Coach for dedicated technical and strategic mentorship days before the grand finals tournament.

4. Participation & Championship Awards

  • Sectional Qualifier Package: All qualifying teams receive an in-kind development grant (paddles, balls, apparel) valued at ~$1,000 per team.

  • Championship Scholarships: The winning team and "Coach-Selected" players receive an 8–13 week elite training scholarship at AEPA, valued at $10,000 per player.

  • Total Scholarship Pool: $100,000 USD (awarded to 10 players total).

5. Match Format

  • Events per Match: Each match consists of 4 individual events: Women’s Doubles, Men’s Doubles, Mixed A, and Mixed B.

  • Scoring: Rally scoring is used, played to 21 points.

  • Win Conditions: Teams must win by 2 points and must win on their own serve (freeze at game point).

  • Playoff Tiebreaker: If a playoff match is tied, it is settled by a Singles Dreambreaker played to 11 points (win by 2).

6. Key Dates 

  • Sectional Qualifiers: February–March 2026

  • Team Registration Deadline: Feb 28, 2026

  • Team Story Video Deadline: Feb 28, 2026

  • Rising Stars Finals: March 31-April 6

  • Location: Asia Elite Pickleball Academy, Hainan Island, China & Ramsports Stadium in Ocean Flower Island, Hainan, China

7. Governance, Safeguarding & Conduct

  • All players must be accompanied by an approved team coach or guardian

  • PCL Asia enforces athlete safeguarding, fair play, and youth protection standards

  • Tournament operations follow international best practices for youth sport competitions

8. Media & Athlete Exposure

  • Matches, team stories, and selected athletes may be featured across PCL Asia media channels and partner platforms

The program is designed to increase visibility and long-term development opportunities for rising youth athletes

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