Philippines Prepares for Inaugural Pickleball World Cup in Vietnam

Yes — the Philippines is assembling its national delegation for the first-ever Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam, with over 80 countries expected to participate. The tournament, scheduled for November 15-22, 2026, represents the first truly global team competition in pickleball history.

What is the Pickleball World Cup?

Organized by the International Pickleball Federation (IPF), the Pickleball World Cup is a nation-versus-nation team competition modeled after the Davis Cup in tennis. Countries compete in men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles matches. Each tie consists of five matches, and the first country to win three advances.

Philippine Delegation and Preparation

The PPF has announced an open selection process for the national team. Tryouts will be held in July 2026 across three venues: Alabang Country Club (Luzon), Cebu City Sports Complex (Visayas), and CDO Pickleball Hub (Mindanao).

The delegation will include up to 12 players (6 men, 6 women) plus coaches and support staff. Selected players will undergo a two-month training camp beginning in September 2026, focusing on team strategy, international competition rules, and match fitness.

What This Means for Philippine Pickleball

Participation in the World Cup represents a coming-of-age moment for Philippine pickleball. Being part of the inaugural event puts the country on the global pickleball map and opens doors for future international hosting opportunities.

The PPF is also exploring a bid to host the 2028 Pickleball World Cup in Manila, which would be a massive boost for the local sports tourism industry. Government support from the Philippine Sports Commission and the Department of Tourism has been encouraging.

For Filipino pickleball players, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent the country on the world stage. The tryouts are open to all PPF-registered players with a DUPR rating of 4.0 or higher.