# Global Sources Sports & Outdoor Officially Opens

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/global-sources-sports-outdoor-officially-opens
- Published: 2026-04-27T23:46:00+07:00
- Author: PR Newswire

**Pickleball Boom Continues to Drive Multi-Million Dollar Opportunities**

HONG KONG, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Global Sources Sports & Outdoor officially
opened today at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, running from 27 to 30 April. Guided
by the theme "Selecting Great Products, and Even Better Factories," the show brings
together leading exhibitors from across Asia with more than 400 booths, covering
a full range of categories including camping, hiking, watersports, urban fitness
and trend-forward outdoor lifestyles. The show showcases Asia’s supply chain agility
in responding swiftly to market demands, along with its potential for sustainable
growth. A series of innovative displays and professional activities offer global
buyers in-depth insights into the latest trends and product applications in the 
sports sector. The show is projected to attract nearly 10,000 professional B2B buyer
visits.

 [ ⌊Global Sources Sports & Outdoor officially opened today at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, running from 27 to 30 April. the show brings together leading exhibitors from across Asia with more than 400 booths, covering a full range of categories including camping, hiking, watersports, urban fitness and trend-forward outdoor lifestyles.⌉ ](https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2966671/1.html)

Global Sources Sports & Outdoor officially opened today at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong
Kong, running from 27 to 30 April. the show brings together leading exhibitors from
across Asia with more than 400 booths, covering a full range of categories including
camping, hiking, watersports, urban fitness and trend-forward outdoor lifestyles.

John Kao, Vice President of Hong Kong Shows & Overseas Shows at Global Sources, 
said: "Global Sources Sports & Outdoor presents a complete pickleball industry chain.
Categories that buyers previously had to visit multiple countries to source can 
now be found in Hong Kong over four days — from pickleballs, paddles and shoes to
accessories, everything is available. The show features not only brand owners but
also manufacturers offering ODM customisation, allowing buyers to procure according
to their needs. This year, many exhibitors have invested heavily in lightweight,
portable and foldable designs. Far more than a static product display, the entire
show serves as a rigorous test of how supply chains transform innovative designs
into reliable performance."

**Rapid Pickleball Market Growth Highlights Asian Supply Chain Advantages**

As pickleball rapidly gains global popularity, this emerging sport is creating unprecedented
commercial value. According to market research firm QYResearch, the global pickleball
equipment market was valued at approximately USD 221 million in 2024 and is expected
to reach USD 387 million by 2031, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR)
of 8.2%. With participation rapidly expanding across North America, Europe and the
Asia-Pacific, procurement demand continues to climb. Asia — particularly China —
has become the world’s largest pickleball paddle manufacturing base, accounting 
for over 70% of global production capacity.

The show presents a comprehensive pickleball industry ecosystem, bringing together
a full lineup of equipment spanning the entire supply chain: paddles crafted from
carbon fibre, fibreglass and other composite materials; specialised balls meeting
both recreational and tournament standards; and an extensive range of accessories
including high-performance athletic shoes, racket grips and paddle bags — covering
everything from upstream materials to finished accessories. Exhibitors demonstrate
technical breakthroughs in weight control, durability and stroke performance, while
offering OEM/ODM customisation services to meet the increasingly diverse procurement
needs of global B2B buyers.

**Training Camp and Po Leung Kuk Pickleball Expo Cup Put Products to the Test**

A newly upgraded Pickleball Training Camp runs concurrently with the show, featuring
live demonstrations by Hong Kong’s top-ranked pickleball players, allowing buyers
to experience first-hand the feel, performance and fit of different paddles under
the guidance of champion coaches. On opening day, the show once again partners with
Po Leung Kuk to host the "Pickleball Expo Cup 2026," validating products’ professional
performance and market appeal in an authentic competitive setting, and further promoting
this emerging sport.

**Urban Sports and Outdoor Demand in Focus with Lightweight Portability as Key Innovation
Theme**

Another highlight of the show is urban sports and outdoor equipment. City dwellers
commonly face the challenge of limited living space yet desire the freedom to head
outdoors at any time, driving sustained demand growth for lightweight camping equipment,
foldable watersports gear and compact urban fitness accessories.

Exhibitors are driving innovation in lightweight, portable and foldable designs,
presenting camping carts made from aerospace-grade aluminium with folding structures,
outdoor backpacks equipped with ergonomic carrying systems, as well as portable 
outdoor refrigerators, camping tents and more. Multi-scenario innovative products
command significantly higher price premiums than single-function alternatives, and
manufacturers that genuinely address the needs of urban users are well-positioned
to enter multiple overseas markets simultaneously.

**Global Sources Summit Focuses on Sports Innovation and Sustainable Sourcing**

The Global Sources Summit, held concurrently with the show, centres on the theme"
Athletic Performance Meets Innovation," covering forward-looking topics including
fitness technology, sports fashion fusion, virtual sportswear and ESG sourcing. 
Opening day features an "Experts Sharing" session with professional wilderness explorer
and wildlife photographer Chris Michael Owen, who draws on first-hand experience
from filming in diverse environments to share insights on the real-world performance
of high-performance outdoor gear and apparel. On 28 April, under the theme "Global
Sports & Outdoor 2026," the summit explores how sportswear integrates functionality
with fashion aesthetics, future outdoor market trends and the application prospects
of sustainable materials. On 29 April, the "Next-Level Sourcing" session interprets
EU and US sportswear regulations, analyses how shifts in the global trade environment
impact sourcing decisions, and helps buyers understand international market requirements
whilst optimising supply chain strategies. The summit aims to provide attendees 
with a comprehensive perspective — from product innovation to sourcing execution—
empowering global buyers and suppliers to capture the next wave of growth opportunities
in the sports and outdoor industry.

**Comprehensive Buyer Service Upgrades Drive Precise Matching and Trade Collaboration**

To further enhance the buyer sourcing experience, this edition of the show introduces
a number of new services. The upgraded Business Matching service is expected to 
arrange over 3,000 buyer-supplier matching sessions across all three phases, facilitating
collaboration between global buyers with clear sourcing intent and quality suppliers.
A Sourcing Connection Desk has been established on-site for the first time, providing
comprehensive support to help buyers locate target exhibitors and arrange on-the-
spot matching — offering real-time assistance for buyers who were unable to book
appointments in advance. In addition, the Hong Kong Show website has launched a 
new Meet the Exhibitors page, allowing buyers to search by show, product, country
or region, with features to contact exhibitors and add events to their calendars
for more effective sourcing trip planning. The Global Sources Buyer App has also
been fully optimised to deliver a simpler, more personalised user experience that
puts information at buyers’ fingertips. The show expects to welcome close to 900
new overseas buyers to participate in on-site matching and networking activities,
including high-quality buyers from Western Europe, the United States, Japan and 
ASEAN.

**About Global Sources**

Based in Hong Kong, Global Sources is a globally recognised B2B sourcing platform.
With 55 years of dedicated service in facilitating international trade, it has earned
the trust and recognition of the global business community through its proven track
record of connecting quality buyers worldwide with verified top-tier Asian manufacturers.
As a sourcing hub for market-ready innovative consumer products, Global Sources 
provides efficient and convenient trade services to over 14 million registered buyers
and users worldwide.

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