The 2026 Guangzhou Pickleball Open (CPC-600) at Tianhe Sports Center drew nearly 300 players from the United States, Canada, Russia, and across China, including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, with more than 48 percent of the participants coming from outside Guangzhou.

Included in the CPC-600 China Pickleball Ranking System for the first time, the tournament offered a prize pool of 111,500 yuan ($16,646). The 469 matches played on Oct 1-2 across evergreen, masters, and open divisions, covered men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles, with national-level referees officiating.

Competitors battle in a mixed doubles match at the 2026 Guangzhou Pickleball Open. [Photo/South]

Beyond the competition, a three-day pickleball carnival was held at the sports center's south square during the National Day holiday, offering free trial sessions to the public. Coaches provided guidance on basic skills such as gripping, serving, and returning, helping many first-timers pick up the sport within minutes.

A coach instructs participants at the pickleball carnival. [Photo/South]