Photo Credits to: SM City Sta. Mesa
MANILA, Philippines — Pickleball is rapidly becoming a mainstream sport in the Philippines, and SM Supermalls is at the forefront of expanding access to courts and community play nationwide.
By the end of 2025, SM Supermalls operated 61 pickleball court locations across 25 of its mall properties, making it the largest pickleball court network among mall operators in the country. These courts include 37 permanent court installations, with recent additions at SM Center Shaw and SM Center Muntinlupa in Metro Manila.
Expanding Permanent Facilities and Community Access
The latest expansion under SM’s sports initiative comes through the SM Sports and Lifestyle Center (SLC), which oversees the development of pickleball venues and related programming. The new facilities at SM Center Shaw and SM Center Muntinlupa, developed in partnership with sports provider Paloo, feature three outdoor courts at Shaw and four indoor courts at Muntinlupa, designed to accommodate players of varying skill levels with accessible pricing.
Joaquin San Agustin, SM Supermalls executive vice president for marketing, emphasized the strategic intent behind the expansion:
“Closing 2025 with our largest pickleball court locations while adding two new permanent courts … is evidence that sports remains not just a strong interest, but a new way of life for our customers.”
These developments build on SM’s broader SM Active Hub initiative - a platform designed to deliver high‑quality, inclusive sports experiences that blend recreation, competition, and community engagement.
Photo Credits to: SM City Sta. Mesa
More Than Just Courts - A Hub for Events and Active Lifestyles
SM Active Hub’s approach to pickleball goes beyond infrastructure. The network also includes semi‑permanent courts deployed across other locations to meet growing demand, helping support a mix of casual play and organized activities. SM has reported strong bookings across its courts, prompting plans to expand to close to 80 courts by 2026 as interest grows.
The program also brings creative and community‑oriented events to the sport, such as Glow Ball pickleball evenings - where games are played under lighting effects - and free coached clinics that introduce newcomers to the sport’s basics. Competitive formats like the SM Pickleball Super Series, organized with partners such as Toby’s Sports, offer more structured competitive opportunities.
A key highlight of SM’s event calendar has been the Pickleball Power Tour, featuring exhibitions and clinics with Filipino‑American professional player Lauren Mercado, aimed at inspiring new players. After a successful 2025 run, SM has confirmed plans for a second iteration in the first half of 2026.
San Agustin summed up the philosophy driving the project:
“This is a testament to SM’s desire of hosting the most creative and commercially attuned sports events that our customers can always look forward to.”
A National Trend, a Regional Movement
Pickleball’s popularity in the Philippines reflects a broader surge across Asia, where the sport has gained traction for its accessibility, social play, and community-driven appeal. In a region with rising health awareness and a youthful sports culture, pickleball is quickly evolving from novelty to mainstay. SM’s investments not only respond to growing local interest, but also position the Philippines as a regional hub for recreational and competitive play. With more courts, events, and visibility planned, the sport’s future in Asia looks bright.
