Manny Pacquiao Launches Pickleball Tournament with ₱1 Million Prize Per Leg

Philippine sports icon Manny Pacquiao is taking his support for pickleball to the next level with the launch of the Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour (MPPT). The new team-based competition aims to raise the profile of the sport nationwide, with each tournament leg offering a ₱1 million prize to the winning team.

After helping transform Philippine basketball through the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), Pacquiao is now bringing a similar vision to pickleball.

The MPPT is expected to feature eight franchise teams representing different parts of the country, including Metro Manila, Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. Teams will compete in men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles, with each squad made up of three male and three female players. The league is being organized as a professional, team-based competition and is expected to be sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board.

According to reports, every leg of the tournament will award ₱1 million to the champion team, creating one of the richest prize structures yet seen in Philippine pickleball. Pacquiao said he hopes the tour will provide more opportunities for Filipino athletes while helping grow the sport across the country.

The announcement comes as pickleball continues to gain momentum in the Philippines, with more courts opening, larger tournaments being organized, and the Philippine Pickleball Federation expanding its player registry and competition pathway.

Why It Matters to Filipinos

The MPPT could become a major milestone for Philippine pickleball. Bigger prize money and a structured team league may encourage more players to train, compete, and pursue the sport at a higher level. It also brings increased public attention, thanks to Pacquiao's involvement, which could attract new sponsors, venues, and players into the community.

For everyday players, it's another sign that pickleball is no longer just a recreational pastime—it's quickly becoming one of the country's fastest-growing competitive sports.

With Manny Pacquiao backing a professional team tour and ₱1 million on the line at every leg, Philippine pickleball has taken another significant step toward becoming a mainstream sport.