$100,000 worth of prizes up for grabs at inaugural OCBC-Great Eastern Pickleball Open
$100,000 worth of prizes up for grabs at inaugural OCBC-Great Eastern Pickleball Open
Participants from Care Corner Senior Services being part of a 10-session pickleball programme that promotes active ageing.
At a glance
- Registration for one of Southeast Asia’s largest pickleball tournaments begins on 27 July 2026 at 12.00pm
- Close to 1,600 players are expected to compete across four categories
- A new 2-year programme will also extend the benefits of pickleball and active ageing to seniors from Care Corner Seniors Services
Singapore, 26 July 2026 – More than S$100,000 worth of prizes, including JEN Singapore Orchardgateway wellness annual passes, Subaru car rental credits, JOOLA paddles and cash will be up for grabs at the inaugural OCBC-Great Eastern Pickleball Open. Taking place at the OCBC Arena from 23 to 25 October 2026, the tournament is expected to attract close to 1,600 participants across four categories: Novice, Open, the Bank of Singapore Corporate Challenge, and the invite-only Bank of Singapore Invitational Championship.
Public registration will commence at 12 noon on 27 July via www.ocbcgreateasternpickleball.com. Participants can enjoy an early-bird entry fee of S$132 per team across all categories until 31 August. From 1 September, the standard fee of S$148 per team will apply until registration closes on 5 October 2026, or earlier when all slots are filled. OCBC cardholders and Great Eastern policyholders will also enjoy an additional 10 per cent discount off the prevailing registration fee. More details of the categories and their registration fees are listed in Annex A, and full list of prizes for podium-placed winners can be found in Annex B.
Format, advancement and scoring system for all categories
The Novice category is intended for players with less than 24 months of playing experience and who have not medalled in any local or overseas pickleball tournaments. The Open category, on the other hand, is open to players of all skills and experience, and recommended for more experienced players.
The top two teams of each group in the first round will advance to the knockout stages. Matches before the third-place play-off and final will be played to 21 points in a single set. The third-place play-off and championship final will be contested in a best-of-three sets format, with each set played to 15 points. All matches will be played in a rally scoring format and in doubles of any gender combination. An overview of the tournament format and progression for each category can be found in Annex C.
Ms Koh Ching Ching, Head of Group Brand and Communications, OCBC, said: “Since the launch of the OCBC–Great Eastern Pickleball Series, demand has been strong across all workshop categories. Our adult workshops were fully subscribed within days, while the youth and multi-generation workshops also attracted healthy participation. We are grateful for such enthusiasm and hope to see strong demand for the roughly 1,600 tournament slots too. The air-conditioned OCBC Arena offers a chance to play in a comfortable environment while vying for attractive prizes. We look forward to much excitement, bonding and superb gameplay come October.”
Extending the benefits of pickleball for seniors
Beyond the tournament, OCBC is extending the benefits and fun of pickleball to the wider community through a two-year partnership with Care Corner Seniors Services, a social service agency that helps vulnerable seniors break cycles of frailty and social isolation. With free courts supported by The Kallang Group, which is also the tournament’s official venue partner, the initiative aims to promote active ageing and foster social connections among seniors, and is part of the OCBC SeniorCare Programme, under which the Bank committed more than S$2 million in 2025 to benefit over 180,000 seniors aged 60 and above over three years.
Under the pickleball initiative, 100 seniors from Care Corner will receive free pickleball training over two years. Each year, 50 seniors will participate in a four-month programme comprising 10 training sessions. Held at the dual-use courts along the Great Eastern Promenade at the National Stadium, the programme will be delivered by certified coaches with support from OCBC staff volunteers. Participants will learn the fundamentals of the sport, including its rules, skills and techniques, empowering them to lead active lifestyles while building meaningful social connections.
This year’s programme commenced on 7 July and will culminate in the seniors’ sports day event organised by Care Corner on 11 November. As a highlight of the programme, up to 10 seniors will be selected by their coaches to participate in the Novice Category of the OCBC-Great Eastern Pickleball Open 2026.
Mr Ho Soo Hock, 74, a Care Corner Seniors Services user, said: “I’ve seen people playing pickleball, so I was excited to finally try it with my friends. It is a lot of fun learning a new sport together, and a great way to stay active while meeting new people. The coaches have been very patient and encouraging, which made it easy for us to pick up the basics and build our confidence. I get to learn something new each session, improve on my technique over time, and all this moving about leaves me feeling energetic and happy. The gift of the paddle and ball also means I can continue to play with my friends even after completing the programme.”
Annex A – Tournament category, entry eligibility and registration fees
