Pickleball Fest kicks off in Davao

MANILA, Philippines — Pickleball’s remarkable surge in popularity in the Philippines reaches a milestone as the Kosmas Pickle Fest 2026 makes its debut on Feb. 25 at Pickletown in Davao City, featuring both Under-19 Rising Stars and adult competition categories.

Introduced in Cebu in 2016 as a little-known sport, pickleball has since surged into a nationwide movement. The Philippines now counts more than 250 clubs and thousands of active players across Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao, cementing its status as one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing pickleball communities.

Davao City has emerged as a key breeding ground for talent, making it a fitting host for the opening leg of the week-long festival. Organized by partner agency Sunrise Events, Inc., and spearheaded by Kosmas Athletic Ventures Corp. (KAVC), a Philippine-based sports, recreation and wellness company led by Sophia Lapus, the event is expected to draw a banner field, concluding on March 1.