Young Aces Eye Asia Spotlight as Pickle Fest Returns to Cebu

CEBU CITY – Cebu once again takes center stage in Philippine sports as it hosts Pickle Fest 2026, bannered by the PCL Rising Stars U19 Sectional Tournament, beginning March 11 at Net and Paddle Cebu City.

Fresh off a highly successful staging in Davao City, the event is organized by Sunrise Events Inc. and sponsored by Kosmas Athletic Ventures Corporation (KAVC), together with Milo, Summit Natural Drinking Water, and Pocari Sweat — setting the stage for another blockbuster five-day celebration of one of the world’s fastest-rising sports.

More than just another tour stop, the Cebu leg carries special significance. It marks a symbolic homecoming for pickleball, which was first introduced to the Philippines through a clinic in the Queen City of the South in 2016.

Ten years later, the sport has surged in participation and popularity, with more than 320 registered clubs nationwide and a steadily expanding grassroots and competitive base.

Pathway to Asia’s Grand Stage

Backed by PCL Asia, the Rising Stars U19 Sectional Tournament offers more than medals and bragging rights. It provides a structured development pathway for young athletes — featuring standardized rules, regional qualifiers, and cross-border competition — culminating in a coveted berth to the PCL Asia Grand Finals on Hainan Island this April.

The recent Davao leg underscored the depth of emerging Filipino talent. Team Velaris — composed of Shesha Bree Biñas, Chrystelle Marjh Elisan, Izzy Lacida and Jacob Cagas — edged the SABR squad 23-21 in a thrilling finale at Pickletown to clinch the gold medal and secure a slot in the Asia Grand Finals.

Along with the qualification came a US$1,000 development grant from the Asia Elite Pickleball Academy, plus full support from PCL Asia covering airfare, accommodations and local transportation.

With registration ongoing, parents, schools, clubs and local communities are encouraged to rally behind the athletes and take part in what promises to be a landmark moment for the sport.

For young players dreaming of bigger stages, Pickle Fest 2026 Cebu is more than a tournament — it is a gateway to Asia’s competitive spotlight.

Beyond U19: Expanding Competitive Divisions

While the U19 division serves as the centerpiece, adult categories — from Novice to Low and High Intermediate and the Open division — continue to fuel rivalries in men’s, women’s and mixed doubles, reflecting the sport’s expanding reach across age groups and skill levels.

Pickleball’s unique blend of tennis, badminton and table tennis — played on a compact court with paddles and a perforated ball — has made it both accessible and intensely strategic. The sport emphasizes reflexes, touch and teamwork as much as power.

Its inclusive nature has allowed schools, clubs and communities to quickly adopt the sport, accelerating its nationwide footprint.

Organizers Confident in Cebu Edition

Organizers believe Cebu’s hosting is both a celebration of the sport’s roots and a launching pad for its future.

“Pickleball’s growth over the last decade has been nothing short of phenomenal. From a single introductory clinic in Cebu to more than 320 clubs nationwide, the sport has truly captured the imagination of Filipino athletes,” organizers said.

“The successful staging in Davao showed the level of organization and talent we now have. With PCL Asia supporting the sectional pathway, our young players are no longer just competing locally — they are preparing to shine on the regional stage.”

“The potential of our Filipino youth in pickleball is immense, and Cebu’s homecoming edition will once again prove that we can compete — and excel — in Asia.”