Car-Free Sundays on Ayala Avenue just added more ways to play. Ayala Land has introduced a weekly pickleball court and a pop-up 3×3 basketball setup to its open-streets program, giving weekend regulars fresh reasons to move, play, and meet their neighbors.
Launched in September 2023, Car-Free Sundays turns the stretch of Ayala Avenue into a people-first corridor, welcoming runners, cyclists, families, and pets. The initiative is led by Ayala Land, with strong support from local businesses and fitness groups.
The pickleball court officially debuted on August 10, 2025, drawing a lively crowd that included Miss Grand International 2016 first runner-up Nicole Cordoves and volleyball player Dzi Gervacio, who helped first-timers into the game.
For newcomers: pickleball is a social, low-impact paddle sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, played on a compact court with a non-volley zone called the “kitchen.”
Ayala Land says the pickleball court will now be available every Car-Free Sunday, while the 3×3 court will pop up on select Sundays tied to tournaments and special runs.
“Car-Free Sundays is about building a weekly habit of movement,” said Misha Quimpo, Project Development Manager at Ayala Land. “By adding courts, we’re giving people more ways to be active, whether that’s a quick game with friends or trying a new sport for the first time.”
Manila’s Movement Culture
Car-Free Sundays has grown into a weekly ritual across Makati’s core. Adding court sports doesn’t replace the run-and-ride vibe; it broadens it, creating places to rally, shoot, and cheer—right in the middle of the district.
Ayala Land marks the second anniversary on September 7 with a fun run, fitness sessions, and a photo exhibit celebrating the people who show up every week. Expect more court-sport days ahead as the “menu of movement” widens for all ages and abilities.
