ANGELES CITY, PAMPANGA - The fastest-growing sport in the world has officially stepped into the big leagues in the Philippines, and Pampanga has a front-row seat to history! This weekend, October 3–4, 2026, Angeles City becomes the epicenter of national sports innovation as it proudly hosts the grand inaugural leg of the Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour (MPPT) . Organized as a high-octane highlight of the city-wide Fiestang Kuliat 2026 celebrations, this premier professional tournament has completely transformed the state-of-the-art PCPH Pampanga "The Annex" facility into an electric battleground of fast-paced rallies, sharp dinks, and intense athletic pride.
The Vision of a Legend: Pro Pickleball is Born
The launch of the MPPT marks a massive, systematic leap forward for the local sporting community. Backed by the visionary support of Filipino ring icon and sports patron Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and officially sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), the pro league is designed to give local athletes a prestigious national stage to showcase their elite technical precision. The stakes could not be higher. The inaugural tour is rolling out an unparalleled PHP 1 million prize pool up for grabs for this opening leg alone, drawing the absolute best and brightest racket athletes from across the archipelago.
12 Pioneering Elite Teams Take the Court
Bypassing casual open-play setups, the MPPT features a rigorous, weekends-only franchise team format. The historic Pampanga opener showcases 12 pioneering teams representing major athletic clubs from Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Local fans have been rallying behind their very own homegrown contenders, the Pampanga Chefs, who are fiercely defending their home turf against powerhouse national delegations like Alfonso Siklab. From 7:00 AM straight through 8:00 PM, the atmosphere inside The Annex has been nothing short of spectacular, filled with thunderous cheers from local sports enthusiasts, families, and curious onlookers discovering the highly strategic, addictive rhythm of the game. The best part? This historic sporting event is completely open and free to the public, offering a fantastic weekend itinerary for anyone seeking high-energy entertainment. For fans watching from around the globe, the electrifying court matches are being broadcasted and streamed live via Solar Sports, BlastTV (Tap Sports), and iWant, ensuring that the world gets a taste of true Kapampangan sports organization. Following this blockbuster Pampanga opener, the tour is slated to visit other progressive sports hubs—including Tagaytay, Abra, and Bacoor—before culminating in a massive National Finals in Metro Manila at the end of October. The seamless integration of a professional national tour into Fiestang Kuliat beautifully underscores the Angeles City Government's commitment to championing holistic health, active lifestyles, and dynamic sports tourism.
