The Meteoric Rise of Pickleball in the Philippines

How did pickleball grow from zero to 13,000 players in the Philippines? It started with a single clinic in Cebu in February 2016, when Filipino-American pro Sara Ash introduced the sport to a country that had never heard of it. There were no clubs, no dedicated courts, no tournaments, and no governing body.

By 2018, a uniquely Filipino pickleball culture was born in the streets of Ortigas, Pasig — what veteran players call "street pickleball." Players improvised with portable nets on makeshift courts.

The Philippine Pickleball Federation (PPF) was formally established in 2019 and began seeking international recognition. The PPF joined regional Asian pickleball efforts, helped establish continental governing structures, and secured recognition from major international bodies.

By 2025, the PPF reported more than 200 registered clubs and over 13,000 registered members. Community leaders estimate there are now more than 300 clubs nationwide. The Reclub app has registered more than 100,000 Filipino players.

In just one decade, the Philippines has gone from a single clinic in Cebu to a recognized national federation, thousands of players, hundreds of clubs, massive shopping mall court expansions, and an Asian championship-winning national team.

Source: Daily Tribune