Philippines to Host First National Pickleball Championship in 2025
What's the Score?
The Philippine Pickleball Federation (PPF), with support from international and national sporting bodies, is set to host the first-ever Philippine Pickleball National Championship in Marikina City from May 30 to June 1, 2025. This landmark event will feature a range of categories but is exclusively open to qualified athletes who have medaled in specific advanced-level tournaments in 2024.
Hit it deeper!
Marking a significant milestone for the sport in the country, the Philippine Pickleball Federation (PPF) has announced the dates for the first Philippine Pickleball National Championship 2025. The tournament, which is being held with the assistance of the Global Pickleball Federation and the Philippine Olympic Committee, is scheduled to take place over three days, from May 30 to June 1, 2025. The chosen venue for this historic event is Dink & Shot, located in Marikina City.
Participation in this inaugural national championship is not open to everyone; it is specifically restricted to qualified players. The eligibility criteria are strict: players must have secured a medal in either an Advanced or Open category at the 2024 PPF NOVA Invitational or in one of the 2024 PPF National Circuit Leg Tournaments. These circuit tournaments were organised by various clubs across the Philippines, including the Iloilo Pickleball Club, Metro South Pickleball Club, Quezon City Pickleball Asso, Inc. (QCPAI), Rosales Pickleball Club, Asingan Pickleball Club, and Makati Pickleball Club. For doubles events, both partners must have qualified by winning a medal in the same event category in 2024.
The championship will feature a comprehensive array of events designed to crown national champions across different formats and age groups. The events include Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles, Men's Singles, Women's Singles, and Mixed Doubles. These will be contested in both Advanced and Open categories. Age brackets are set at 19+, 35+, and 55+ for most events, though Women's Singles is listed only for 19+ Advanced/Open and 55+ Open categories.
The cost to enter the championship is a registration fee of ₱1,500 per player. Players interested in competing in additional events beyond their initial entry can do so for a fee of ₱1,000 per additional event. Prospective participants should note the registration deadline is May 16, 2025.
This championship represents a formal step in establishing a clear competitive structure for pickleball in the Philippines, providing a pinnacle event for the nation's top-qualified players.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The staging of the first Philippine Pickleball National Championship in 2025 is a momentous occasion that signifies the maturation of competitive pickleball in the Philippines. With support from the Global Pickleball Federation and the Philippine Olympic Committee, this event lends legitimacy and structure to the sport's development within the country. By limiting participation to qualified players, the PPF is ensuring a high level of competition and recognising the achievements of athletes from their 2024 circuit events. The inclusion of various singles, doubles, and mixed doubles categories across different age and skill levels demonstrates a commitment to developing talent across the board. A national championship provides a crucial benchmark for player ranking, facilitates the identification of potential national team members, and raises the overall profile of pickleball within the national sporting landscape. This event is a clear indicator that pickleball is not just a growing recreational activity in the Philippines but is rapidly establishing itself as a serious competitive sport.