Chiang Mai/Phuket, Thailand, June 2026 — When BYC Joy Tribe members travel from Chiang Mai to Phuket this June, they travel to do more than compete. The group joins a growing movement to prove that sport tourism can actively give back to host destinations.
The Amazing Phuket Pickleball Cup 2026 runs from June 19 to 21, 2026. Presented for the first time by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Branch Office and the Embassy of the United States of America in Bangkok, the tournament brings together competitive players and sport tourism enthusiasts from across the region. The tournament brings together competitive players and sport tourism enthusiasts across Thailand and the region. Phuket and Chiang Mai, two of the world's most recognized travel destinations, sit at the center of this story.
THE BYC JOY TRIBE BRINGS CHIANG MAI TO PHUKET
The BYC Joy Tribe, one of Northern Thailand’s most active pickleball communities, is once again heading south as a group. For BYC, tournament travel is about far more than competition, it is an opportunity to build connections with the communities they visit while supporting local families, expat networks, and neighborhood businesses.
The group’s travel history includes Pattaya in 2023, Hua Hin in 2024, a return to Pattaya in 2025, and Hua Hin again in 2026. Through these journeys, BYC members experience different regions of Thailand while contributing directly to local economies through accommodation, dining, transportation, and recreation.
By intentionally engaging with residents, expat communities, and small businesses, BYC demonstrates how sports tourism can create meaningful social connections and generate lasting economic benefits for host cities. Their travels reflect a commitment to ensuring that every tournament visit leaves a positive impact beyond the pickleball courts.
BEACH CLEANUP WITH LIVE LIKE A LOCAL
Before the first tournament match, BYC Joy Tribe members will partner with Live Like a Local for a community beach cleanup in Phuket. Live Like a Local focuses on small-group experiences that create meaningful connections with residents and the coastal environment.
The cleanup reflects a shared priority between both organizations: sport tourism must leave a destination better than it was found.
STANDOUT PICKLEBALL THAILAND LAUNCHES TWO FIRSTS
BYC Sports & More Co., Ltd., the official importer and distributor of Standout Pickleball products from Australia, is proud to support this tournament as an official partner and sponsor while introducing two exciting new products to the Thai market.
Making its debut is the Standout Absolute Black, a fully foam-core paddle designed for players seeking exceptional feel, stability, and control. Alongside the paddle launch, Standout Pickleball Thailand is unveiling Thailand's first pickleball bag made from upcycled fishing gear. Developed in collaboration with Live Like a Local, each limited-edition tote is handcrafted by Phuket artisans and available exclusively through Standout Pickleball Thailand. Special tournament promotions on the CF4 Power NXT GEN, CF4 Control, and CF3 paddle series will be available throughout the weekend.
Beyond supporting competitive play, Standout Pickleball Thailand shares the tournament's vision of strengthening local communities through sport.
"We are delighted to be a partner and sponsor of this tournament because it reflects the values that matter most to us—community, sustainability, and growing pickleball in a way that benefits everyone involved," said Komsan (Singh) Singhatong, Owner and Representative for Standout Pickleball Thailand.
"We chose Live Like a Local because its founder has been part of the pickleball community from the beginning and truly understands what we are building. For us, sustainable sports tourism is not just a slogan. It means our members travel to Phuket, compete hard, and also give something back to the places they visit. Whether through supporting local businesses, engaging with local families, participating in community activities, or helping with beach cleanups, we want our players to leave Phuket better than they found it.
Sport belongs to everyone. Since 2025, BYC has brought pickleball directly to schools and communities across Chiang Mai. We have introduced more than 500 students and players to the sport and aim to double that number by the end of 2026. We invest our court time, coaching, and resources into creating inclusive spaces where every player belongs, regardless of age, background, or experience level.
We also manage our facility with the future in mind. We minimize waste, prioritize durable equipment, and strive to keep our environmental footprint small. Pickleball in Thailand grows best when the sport, the community, and the environment grow together."
The BYC Joy Tribe, one of Northern Thailand's most active pickleball communities, will once again travel south as a group to participate in the event. Their tournament journeys have included Pattaya in 2023, Hua Hin in 2024, Pattaya in 2025, and Hua Hin in 2026. Through these trips, BYC members not only compete but also contribute directly to local economies through accommodation, dining, transportation, recreation, and community engagement. By connecting with residents, expat communities, and small businesses, the group demonstrates how sports tourism can create meaningful social impact while supporting regional economic development.
SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS AT BYC
BYC Pickleball & More in Chiang Mai has operated on solar power since 2022. The facility runs refillable hydration stations on all courts and recycles all plastic waste on site. These are not policies. They are the baseline for how BYC runs every day.
About Us
BYC Sports & More Co., Ltd.: The official importer and distributor of Standout Pickleball products in Thailand. BYC operates BYC Pickleball & More, a sports facility in Chiang Mai, and leads the BYC Joy Tribe community. The company has trained over 500 individuals through local outreach programs, aiming to reach 1,000 players by the end of 2026.
Live Like a Local: is a Phuket-based brand creating handcrafted products from upcycled fishing gear, supporting local artisans and reducing coastal waste across Thai fishing communities. Live Like a Local designs small-group sport and travel experiences that connect visitors with authentic local communities, focusing on meaningful connections over massive crowds.
Standout Pickleball: is an internationally recognized premium Australian paddle brand built around performance, quality, and high-end equipment engineered for competitive excellence. Founded by former professional tennis player and elite pickleball competitor Ludovica "Lu" Sciaky, the company delivers distinct, design-forward equipment driven by advanced materials science. Based on the Sunshine Coast in Australia, you collaborate with aerospace engineers and composite manufacturing specialists to execute a rigorous product development process involving extensive prototyping. This commitment to precision engineering ensures that every product, from entry-level fiberglass designs to elite thermoformed models like the Toray T700 raw carbon fiber CF4 and Kevlar-infused KC1, meets the strict mechanical standards of players at every tier. Standout Pickleball products are distributed in Thailand exclusively by BYC Sports & More Co., Ltd.
The Amazing Phuket Pickleball Cup 2026: Held from June 19 to 21, 2026, in Phuket, Thailand. Co-presented by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Branch Office and the Embassy of the United States of America in Bangkok, the event serves as a flagship tournament for regional sport tourism.