Franklin Sports Will Host Manila Pickleball Showcase
The international event series will launch in the Philippines this October to support the region's rapid growth.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Tennis
Live Poll
Do you believe the arrival of international sports showcases benefits your local community?
Franklin Sports will debut its Asia Pickleball Showcase in Manila, Philippines, in October 2026. The event series, which will also feature appearances by world No. 1 player Anna Leigh Waters, will continue through Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.
Why it matters
The choice of the Philippines as the primary destination follows the country's emergence as a key pickleball hub, highlighted by an extraordinary 1,213% year-over-year market growth. The showcase aims to capitalize on this rising regional interest through a series of planned exhibitions.
Franklin Sports maintains a 75% market share for its X-40 ball in North America and its athletes have secured 105 medals on the PPA and APP Pro Tours this year. The company's equipment is currently utilized in over 1,000 tournaments globally.
The players
Anna Leigh Waters
She is a professional athlete and the current world No. 1 ranked pickleball player.
Franklin Sports
This is a sports equipment manufacturer that produces the X-40 and X-44 pickleball lines.
The details
The event series will feature demonstrations and engagement opportunities, with Anna Leigh Waters already signaling upcoming activities by sharing photos of new paddle technology. Local retail partners including Decathlon, Toby's Sports, Chris Sports, and Juego PH will support the brand's expansion efforts.
Timeline
September 2, 2026: Anna Leigh Waters posted a photo with a mystery paddle.
October 2026: The Franklin Asia Pickleball Showcase begins in Manila.
Late 2026: Franklin plans to introduce the new X-44 ball.
Season Trajectory
The expansion of the Asia Pickleball Showcase extends the reach of the Franklin X-40 pickleball beyond its established North American market dominance. This move positions the sport to solidify its international footprint, shifting the current balance of the global pickleball landscape.
Fans and local participants can anticipate new equipment releases, specifically the introduction of the X-44 ball arriving near the end of the year. Retail availability for these new products will be managed through established partners like Decathlon and Toby's Sports.
The takeaway
The rapid adoption of pickleball in the Philippines signals a major shift in the sport's international demographic reach. Enthusiasts should monitor social media for real-time announcements regarding ticket access and venue logistics as the showcase tour progresses.
What happens next
Franklin Sports will release the specific event venues and schedules for the upcoming showcase in the coming weeks via their official social media channels.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in racquet sports on our Tennis page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tiebreaker Times.
Live Poll
Do you believe the arrival of international sports showcases benefits your local community?
