Photo Credits to: Facolos Pickleball
Facolos is stepping onto pickleball’s biggest American stage with a two-part announcement that blends brand placement with star power. The Vietnamese company has been named an Official Paddle Partner of the PPA Tour USA - an appointment described by pickleball media as the first time an Asian paddle brand has held that role on the circuit. Alongside it, Facolos has signed Gabriel “Gabe” Tardio, the 20-year-old ranked No. 2 in PPA men’s doubles, to a multi-year deal through 2027.
The pairing is deliberate: official tour visibility on one side, and a top-ranked athlete on the other. Together, they give Facolos both a platform and a proving ground in the U.S. pro market.
One Partnership, Two Pro Platforms
Facolos’ announcement also extends beyond the PPA. The company says it has secured official paddle partner status with Major League Pickleball (MLP) as well, placing the brand across the two most prominent professional circuits in the United States.
For Tardio, the terms are straightforward. He will serve as a global ambassador and compete exclusively with Facolos paddles throughout the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Photo Credits to: Facolos Pickleball
EliteX Takes Center Court
Tardio’s competition paddle will be the Facolos EliteX, the brand’s flagship Pro Series model. Facolos describes the EliteX as built with an ElasticPP honeycomb core and a multidirectional T700 Raw Carbon face, designed to deliver “exceptional grip, spin, and precise control.”
The collaboration isn’t limited to match play. Facolos and Tardio also plan a co-branded collection that will include paddles, accessories, and pickleball apparel.
“I’m truly honored to partner with Facolos for the next chapter of my career,” said Gabriel Tardio in a statement released from Hanoi on January 13, 2026. “When choosing a brand to partner with, paddle performance was my top priority - and I found exactly what I needed in Facolos’ Pro line, especially the EliteX.”
The PPA Masters Sets the Stage
Facolos aligned its rollout with a major early-season event: the PPA Masters in California, staged January 12–18, 2026 at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage. With the tournament now in the rearview, Facolos has already had its first high-profile window for on-court visibility in a marquee tour setting.
Photo Credits to: Facolos Pickleball
Strategy Built on Elite Feedback
Facolos leadership has presented the deal as more than a headline endorsement - positioning it as part of a longer development strategy built around elite feedback, research, and product standards, while elevating Asian pickleball’s international profile.
“Facolos is committed to a long-term development strategy in which partnering with world-class athletes plays a pivotal role,” said Ms. Võ Trần Quỳnh Trang, Vice General Director of Facolos, in the January 13 announcement. “This collaboration is a strategic investment to elevate product quality, raise performance standards, and strengthen the position of Asian pickleball on the international stage.”
Asia’s Pickleball Momentum Goes Global
With official partner status in the PPA and MLP and an exclusive agreement with one of the sport’s top doubles players through 2027, Facolos is turning Asia’s fast-growing pickleball footprint into sustained U.S. tour presence - linking Vietnamese product development, athlete endorsement, and professional visibility on the sport’s most watched American stages.
