HNC CUP PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT 2026

🏆 Event Information

The HNC Cup Pickleball Tournament 2026 is a two-day pickleball event held in Johor Bahru, combining competitive matches with lifestyle and community experiences.

Currently one of the largest pickleball tournaments in Johor Bahru to date, HNC Cup brings together players of different skill levels in a well-structured and professionally organized tournament environment.

Beyond competition, the objective of HNC Cup is 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.

The tournament is organized by Frame 9 Event, with curated food and social experiences alongside the matches.

Play Hard. Live the Moment.

Tournament Overview

Total Cash Prize Pool RM74,000++

Dates: 14-15/3/2026

Venue: ATP Club, Johor Bahru, Johor

Registration Deadline : 5/3/2026 or until slots are full

Participants: Open to all players (Local & International)

Organizer: Frame 9 Event

Title Sponsor: HNC Events Catering Co.

PLAYER REGISTRATION RULES

• Players are allowed to register for multiple categories within the same level(Novice / Intermediate / Open).
• Players are NOT allowed to register across different level categories due to potential schedule clashes.

Example: A player cannot register for Novice Mixed Double and Intermediate Mixed Double.

*Team Event registration is allowed, even if the player is participating in other categories.

Tournament Schedule

Categories

Novice DUPR <3.099

• Men's Double --- 48Teams
• Mixed Double --- 48Teams
• Women's Double --- 32Teams

Intermediate DUPR <3.999

• Men's Double --- 32Teams
• Mixed Double --- 32Teams
• Women's Double --- 16Teams

Open Category

• Men's Double --- 32Teams
• Mixed Double --- 32Teams

Intermediate DUPR <3.599 Team

Contain of:

• 2 Men's Double
• 1 Mixed Double
• 1 Women's Double

EACH TEAM 6-8 PAX ------ 16Teams

(Min 4 Men , 2 Women)

Open Team

Contain of:

• 2 Men's Double
• 1 Mixed Double
• 1 Women's Double

EACH TEAM 8-10 PAX ------ 8Teams

(Min 5 Men, 3 Women)

Prize Pool

Novice (Each)

• 1st Place: RM2,000 + Medal
• 2nd Place: RM1,200 + Medal
• 3rd Place: RM800 + Medal

TOTAL per Categories: RM4,000

Intermediate (Each)

• 1st Place: RM2,500 + Medal
• 2nd Place: RM1,500 + Medal
• 3rd Place: RM1,000 + Medal

TOTAL per Categories: RM5,000

Open (Each)

• 1st Place: RM6,000 + Medal
• 2nd Place: RM2,500 + Medal
• 3rd Place: RM1,500 + Medal

TOTAL per Categories: RM10,000

Intermediate Team DUPR<3.599

• 1st Place: RM5,000 + Medal + Trophy
• 2nd Place: RM2,500 + Medal
• 3rd Place: RM1,500 + Medal

TOTAL per Categories: RM9,000

OPEN Team

• 1st Place: RM10,000 + Medal + Trophy
• 2nd Place: RM5,000 + Medal
• 3rd Place: RM3,000 + Medal

TOTAL per Categories: RM18,000

Scoring Format

Novice & Intermediate

• Round Robin / Quaterfinals: Rally to 15 Points (Switch sides at 8)
• ,Finals & 3rd/4th Playoff: Best of 3 games, rally to 15 points

Open Category

• Round Robin / Quaterfinals: Rally to 21 points (Switch sides at 11)

Finals & 3rd/4th Playoff: Rally to 21 points (Switch sides at 5)

Team DUPR<3.599 & OPEN Team

Stage 1: League Stage

• Rally Format
• 15 points per set
• 1 set per category
• 1 timeout (1min) per set
• Win by 2 points at 14-14

Stage 2: Knockout Stage

• Rally Format
• 21 points per set
• 1 set per category
• 1 timeout (1min) per set
• Win by 2 points at 20-20

Dreambreaker (Tiebreaker)

• Rally Format
• 21 points per set
• No Timeouts
• No deuce - Sudden Death at 20-20

League Stage Standings

Standing will be determined in the following order of priority:

1. Total Points accumulated
2. Sets Won vs. Sets Lost
3. Set Differential (Sets Won - Sets Lost)
4. Points Differential (Points Scored - Points Conceded)

Stage 2:Kockout Stage (Semifinals, Bronze, Final)

The top-performing teams from the League Stage will advance to the Knockout Stage.

From this point forward, any tied team match will be decided by the Dreambreaker, an electrifying rotating singles tiebreaker that guarantees a thrilling finish.

1. Men's Doubles 1
2. Mixed Doubles
3. Men's Doubles 2
4. Women's Doubles
5. Rotating Singles - Dreambreaker

ALL teams are required to submit their official line-up at least one hour before their schedule match via the SPORTSYNC.

Dream Breaker Format

The Dreambreaker will be used to determine the winner only if a match ends in a 2-2 tie during the Semifinals, Bronze Match, or Finals

When it Happens

A Dreambreaker is triggered only in knockout stages (Semifinals, Bronze, Final) after four match categories if the score is tied 2-2.

Player Lineup

Each team must nominate six(6) players for the Dreambreaker:

The order must remain fixed once submitted.

Rotation & Rally Format

• Each player play four（4) consecutive rallies before rotating to the next player.
• After the sixth player completes their rotation, play returns to Player 1, continuing cyclically until one team win the Dreambreaker.

Standard singles rules apply during all Dreambreaker points.

Teams may not substitute or reorder their rotation once the Drembreaker begins.

Tie-Breaking Criteria (Group Stage)

If two or more teams finish with the same win-loss record, standings will be determined in the following order:

1. Total Points Differential - Calculated as points scored minus points conceded across all group matches.
2. Head-to-Head Result - Applied only when exactly two teams are tied.
3. Total Points Scored - Accumulated total points scored across all group matches.

Official DUPR-Rated Tournament

The HNC Cup Pickleball Tournament 2026 is officially a DUPR-rated tournament, and all results will be submitted to DUPR to ensure accurate, transparent and continually updated playing ratings.

HNC Cup – Tournament Rules (Summary)

1. All players must register in a category that accurately reflects their actual playing level.
2. The organizing committee reserves the right to review, reclassify, void results, or disqualify any player found competing below their true level.
3. Any prize money, trophies, or awards may be forfeited in such cases.
4. Registration fees are non-refundable, but may be transferable before the deadline (subject to approval).
5. Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in warnings, penalties, match forfeiture, or disqualification.
6. Match formats, schedules, and categories are subject to adjustment by the organizing committee.
7. Referee and organizing committee decisions are final and binding.
8. By participating, players agree to all tournament rules and grant media usage rights to the organizer.

View FULL Rules Book

HNC Cup 2026 Rules Book