Five Days to Glory: How 28 Teams Battled Through the PCL Championship Journey

For five intense days, the Pickleball Champions League became the center of Asian pickleball as 28 teams from different countries gathered for one unforgettable championship run. From city tours and late-night karaoke to high-pressure matches at the Ramsports facility, every day delivered a different layer of competition, culture, and community.

At the end of it all, only two teams remained standing at the summit of the bracket: Shenyang, China and Zhuhai, China.

Day 1: Arrival, Registration, and an Unforgettable Opening Night 

The opening day officially welcomed all 28 teams into the PCL championship week. Players checked in, completed registration, went through orientation, and settled into tournament mode.

That night, the PCL Welcome Dinner became an unexpected highlight. The overseas teams took part in a lively karaoke competition, filling the room with laughter, performances, and friendly rivalry. Several Chinese teams were also able to attend, turning the evening into a true cultural crossover.

It was fun, lighthearted, and loud, but everyone knew that once the music stopped, the real battles were about to begin.

Day 2: Tour Day, City Fun, and Team Bonding

Day 2 shifted from competition mode to pure experience mode. It was tour day, and the teams had an incredible time exploring the city together.

From sightseeing and group walks to shared meals and constant photo-taking, the players fully enjoyed the moment. Everywhere you looked, there were bonding moments, spontaneous content creation, and teams simply enjoying being part of something bigger than competition.

Day 3: Group Stages Begin at the Ramsports Facility

Day 3 marked the official start of tournament play with the group stages held at the Ramsports facility, and it was nothing short of hectic.

Matches ran back to back. Teams moved quickly between courts. Every game carried weight. There was no downtime, and pressure filled the venue from the first serve to the final rally of the day.

This was the stage where the strongest teams began to separate themselves from the pack, dark horse teams started making real noise, and early favorites were truly tested. Every rally already felt like a playoff point, and by the end of the day, exhaustion was visible across all teams. Even so, the competitive fire was fully ignited.

Day 4: Quarterfinals and Semifinals Define the "Path to Glory"

With the field narrowing, Day 4 became the breaking point for many teams as the quarterfinals and semifinals raised both the level of play and the emotional intensity.

From the left side of the bracket, Shenyang, China continued their dominant run, while Bali Pickleball Club of Indonesia fought their way through against elite opposition. Mahi Kohi of Japan and Chongqing, China pushed the limits in tightly contested matchups.

On the right side, Pickleyard of the Philippines charged forward with confidence, Shenzhen, China showcased speed and discipline, Thakare of India battled through intense pressure, and Zhuhai, China displayed calm execution when it mattered most.

By the end of the semifinals, the finals matchup was officially locked in: Shenyang vs Zhuhai.

Day 5: The Finals, Shenyang vs Zhuhai

Championship Day delivered exactly what a five-day battle promised.

The final featured long rallies, elite shot placement, ruthless pace, and constant momentum shifts that kept the crowd locked in from start to finish.

Both teams proved they had earned their place. Shenyang reached the final through consistency and control, while Zhuhai earned their slot through composure, discipline, and calculated aggression under pressure.

When the final point was played, it marked the end of one of the most intense championship runs PCL Asia has ever staged.

More Than a Tournament

This five-day PCL championship was more than just competition.

It was 28 teams coming together from across Asia, culture and competition merging through karaoke, city tours, and court battles, friendships built off-court, and legacies formed on-court.

From the laughter at the Welcome Dinner to the nonstop action at the Ramsports facility, from the fun-filled city tour to the pressure of championship point, this truly was the PCL Path to Glory.