# Growth of padel and pickleball in Japan

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/growth-of-padel-and-pickleball-in-japan
> Updated: 2026-09-27T01:07:00.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Racket sports, specifically padel and pickleball, are experiencing growth in Japan. Padel is set to be included in the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya, with national teams already selected. In the pickleball sector, the 3rd PJ Pickleball Championships are scheduled for December 2026 in Ariake, featuring international talent such as Ben Johns and Anna Bright.

To support this expansion and address a shortage of dedicated facilities, Courtina Japan has announced the domestic launch of professional-grade pickleball surfaces from U.S.-based AT Sports. The product line, including Acrytech acrylic coatings and CushionX portable mats, is intended to convert multi-purpose spaces into professional courts. The first shipment of these materials is expected in November 2026.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-27: Courtina Japan launches professional pickleball surfaces in Japan

Courtina Japan is introducing professional AT Sports pickleball surfaces to Japan, including portable CushionX mats used in U.S. pro leagues, to address the local shortage of dedicated courts.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/courtina-japan-launches-professional-pickleball-surfaces-in-japan

### 2026-09-12: Racket sports expand in Japan with Padel and Pickleball events

Japan is seeing a rise in racket sports, with padel debuting at the Asian Games and a major international pickleball championship scheduled for Ariake in December 2026.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/racket-sports-expand-in-japan-with-padel-and-pickleball-events

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Cite as: Growth of padel and pickleball in Japan. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/growth-of-padel-and-pickleball-in-japan