Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in Maryland announced Thursday that it will continue its Pickleball Diplomacy initiative in 2026, with two cultural exchange programs designed to strengthen educational ties and people-to-people connections between the United States and China.

The 2026 program begins with MCPS hosting a delegation from Shanghai from February 5-7, followed by an MCPS delegation traveling to China from February 13-24. During the return trip, student and staff ambassadors will participate in educational, athletic, and cultural exchanges in Shenzhen, Shangyou, Hebi, and Beijing.

The MCPS delegation will include 45 ambassadors, made up of 31 new student participants, seven returning student ambassadors, and seven adults.

The 2026 exchange takes place during the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival, one of the most culturally significant times of the year in China.

MCPS officials explain the timing provides an opportunity for students and staff to engage with Chinese communities during a period traditionally focused on family, reflection, and renewal.

“This initiative is about much more than sports,” said Dr. Jeffrey Sullivan, Pickleball Diplomacy leader and MCPS Director of Systemwide Athletics. It is about building friendships, fostering understanding, and connecting young people one relationship, one rally at a time.”

Pickleball Diplomacy builds on a successful inaugural year for the program in 2025. In April, MCPS led its first delegation to China, launching the initiative through shared pickleball activities, school visits, and cultural dialogue. That exchange was followed by MCPS hosting students and educators from Shenzhen in August, further strengthening partnerships and student to student connections.

The initiative gained international attention last July when Chinese President Xi Jinping officially acknowledged Pickleball Diplomacy in a reply letter, citing the program as a meaningful example of grassroots engagement and mutual understanding between the two nations.

In advance of the February trip, student ambassadors are participating in pickleball training sessions and structured cultural learning activities designed to prepare them both athletically and culturally, while also building strong relationships within the delegation.