The country's largest pickleball facility just opened in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, and it's putting the Visayas on the map as a serious destination for pickleball.
PlayPro Active Courts (PAC) held its grand opening in late June 2026. The one-hectare (2.5-acre) complex along the By-Pass Road in Sibulan houses 17 tournament-grade pickleball courts, alongside 3 badminton courts and 2 half-court basketball courts for 3-on-3 games.
The project comes from Philsouth Properties and Development Corp., a company better known for housing developments, executive villages, and amusement parks across the province. PAC marks its first foray into sports infrastructure, and by the scale of it, the company isn't treating pickleball as a side project.
A Statement Opening
The guest list at the ribbon-cutting reflected pickleball's foothold in the country. Negros Oriental provincial governor Manuel Sagarbaria and Philippine Pickleball League president Aldus Corel dela Cruz were on hand. Vietnamese pros Quang Dong and Bao Duong were also at the event, who competed under Wika Sports.
Philsouth president and general manager Louie Tijing said the vision behind PAC goes beyond just building courts. He said:
"We envision PlayPro Active Courts as more than just a sports facility, but also a place where people can play, compete, connect, and elevate their game while building a stronger and healthier community."
Tijing also confirmed PAC isn't stopping at 17 courts. The facility's long-term development plan includes 10 additional pickleball courts, 4 of which will be air-conditioned, plus 3 table tennis courts and 2 tennis courts. Louie Tijing also added:
"This is our humble way of pursuing our vision of becoming the country's leading hub for pickleball and active recreation by promoting active lifestyles, community engagement, and sports excellence".
Why Negros Oriental, and Why Now
The provincial capital, Dumaguete City, has spent the past couple of years quietly building one of the most active grassroots pickleball scenes in the Philippines. Local officials have floated the idea of Dumaguete as the country's "Pickleball Capital". Currently, the city has more than 50 public and private courts.
Governor Sagarbaria pointed to this existing momentum as part of the reasoning behind PAC. He noted that Dumaguete and its surrounding towns collectively have around 300 pickleball courts already, though PAC stands out as one of the few built to actual tournament standards.
He framed the opening as part of a broader push to position Negros Oriental and Dumaguete as a sports tourism destination for Central Philippines. This strategy leans on the province's existing draw for travelers and expats.
Shifting the Map Beyond Manila
For a sport that's grown mostly through mall parking lots, barangay courts, and repurposed badminton halls, a purpose-built, tournament-grade complex of this size is a meaningful jump. It also signals where Philippine pickleball investment might be heading next, away from Metro Manila's saturated court market and into secondary cities with room to build bigger, cheaper, and with tourism dollars in mind.
PAC says it's ready to host tournaments at all levels. This means Negros Oriental could soon be competing for a spot on the regional tournament calendar alongside more established stops.
Planning a trip to check out the courts yourself, or looking for pickleball venues closer to home? Browse verified courts and facilities across the region at courts.thepicklebase.com, or follow @thepicklebase on Instagram for more updates from the Asian pickleball scene.