SM Active Hub leads Philippine pickleball boom with 86 courts nationwide

Editor’s note: This press release is sponsored by SM Supermalls and was handled by BrandRap, the sales and marketing arm of Rappler. No member of the news and editorial team participated in the publishing of this piece.

The country’s fastest-growing sport has found its biggest stage at your most-loved SM Supermalls. Through SM Active Hub, SM continues to redefine malling by turning its spaces into a leading destination for sports, wellness, and community experiences.

Long before it became a retail trend, SM was already building sports and recreational spaces, evolving its malls into vibrant hubs where communities can move, connect, compete, and unwind.

FOCUSED. Ryan Fu, APP Malaysia Gold Medalist, Pro pickleball player caught in action at the SM Mall of Asia’s sports clinic last March

In 2026 alone, SM Active Hub accelerated its massive nationwide expansion with the opening of new pickleball courts across key SM malls, bringing its total footprint to a staggering 86 pickleball courts in 29 malls nationwide — the largest mall-based pickleball network in the country today. From Luzon to Mindanao, SM continues to make the sport more accessible to Filipinos while cementing its position as the dominant and most expansive pickleball destination in the Philippines.

SOUTHIES REPRESENT. Pickleball players enjoy a game on the rooftop pickleball court at SM Bicutan

Beyond infrastructure, SM Active Hub has staged over 100 tournaments, open-plays, and clinics nationwide, cementing its role as one of the country’s most active tournament organizers. Headlining 2026 is the SM Pickleball Super Series Year 2 with Toby’s Sports, following successful legs at SM North EDSA and SM Mall of Asia, alongside the ongoing SM Active Hub Pickleball Trio Challenge across SM malls.

The season features qualifying legs in SM City Bicutan, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM City Santa Rosa, SM City Marikina, and SM Center Muntinlupa, culminating at Four E-Com Center, SM Active Hub’s newest six-court venue.

SUNSET PICKLEBALL. SM City Sta Mesa’s permanent pickleball court for pickleball enthusiasts in Manila, San Juan, and Quezon City

Further solidifying its position as the country’s premier pickleball hub, SM Active Hub has now welcomed nine international professional pickleball players to its courts, bringing world-class talent closer to Filipino communities.

Leading the 2026 roster is 16-year-old Filipino-Canadian phenom McKonner Dy, a Canadian national champion and league draftee. As part of SM Active Hub’s “Here to Move” campaign, he toured multiple SM malls from April 9 to 12, joining exhibition games, meet-and-greets, and activations including Night Glow at SM City Cabanatuan, SM Center Muntinlupa, and Neon Paddle at SM Center Antipolo Downtown.

PROUD WINNER. Fil-Canadian National Champion and PPA Tour athlete MacKonner Dy poses for a photo at SM Southmall pickleball court

SM courts also welcomed globally recognized pickleball star James Ignatowich, a PPA Champion, former World No. 3 in Mixed Doubles, and Co-Founder and CEO of RPM Pickleball, who headlined the Toby’s Pickleball Super Series event at SM North EDSA and delivered thrilling high-level matches for local fans.

PICKLEBALL STARS. Fil-Canadian National Champion and PPA Tour athlete MacKonner Dy together with globally recognized pickleball star, PPA Champion and former World no.3 in Mixed Doubles James Ignatowich and Toby’s Sports president Toby Claudio Jr. gather for a photo during the Toby’s Super Series at SM North EDSA

In 2025, SM Active Hub hosted Filipino-American pro player Lauren Mercado, based in the U.S. and ranked #1 U18 in Nevada and #10 U18 in the U.S., who toured multiple SM malls and shared her expertise with local players, strengthening SM’s sports ecosystem. 

Beyond competition, SM Active Hub is transforming pickleball into a vibrant social and lifestyle movement through immersive, Instagrammable experiences for today’s active communities.

Adding to the growing ecosystem are unique community-driven concepts such as the launch of the Pink Paddle Club at SM City East Ortigas, the vibrant Pickleball Night Glow at SM City Cabanatuan, the opening of the pickleball courts at SM Center Muntinlupa, and the energetic Neon Paddle activation at SM Center Antipolo Downtown. These colorful, high-energy experiences have redefined how Filipinos enjoy sports by blending fitness, entertainment, music, nightlife, and community into one maxed-out experience.  

GONNA KEEP PLAYING. Pickleball players enjoy a game at the Pink Paddle Club at SM City East Ortigas ACTION IN NEON. SM City Cabanatuan hosted a neon-themed Night Glow Pickleball event

Meanwhile, six foreign pickleball players and content creators from lifestyle collective “The Friday Crew” turned Four E-Com Center into a vibrant social sports hub last May 17 through games, meetups, and giveaways — showing how pickleball has evolved into a full-scale social movement.

SERVING BACK. Pickleball players and content creators from lifestyle collective The Friday Crew at the pickleball court in Four E-Com

“Through SM Active Hub, we continue to lead pickleball’s growth in the Philippines by making the sport more accessible, inclusive, and community-driven. With the country’s largest network of courts, tournaments, and activations, SM Supermalls has become the biggest and most dominant advocate of pickleball and active lifestyles, reflecting how Filipinos are embracing more social and experiential ways to stay active,” said Joseph Francis V. Silva, senior assistant vice president for operations of SM Sports & Leisure Centers.

Through the SM Malls Online App, mallgoers can discover pickleball events, book courts, and join clinics nationwide. The SM Active Hub community now has over 130,000 members, with access to sports updates and exclusive perks across SM malls.

VIBRANT COURT. SM City CDO Uptown’s Sky Play courts from up above.

As pickleball surges nationwide, SM Supermalls is no longer just participating—it is leading the movement. Through accessible sports spaces and innovation, SM Active Hub shapes how Filipinos gala to the max—live, play, compete, and connect.
Ready to pick up a paddle? Join the SM Active Hub community and experience pickleball at its best. Download the SM Malls Online App to book courts, join clinics, and stay updated on events across 29 malls nationwide. – Rappler.com