SM Active Hub Now Runs the Largest Mall-Based Pickleball Network in the Philippines

SM Active Hub has crossed a significant milestone in Philippine pickleball, reaching 86 courts across 29 SM malls nationwide. That makes it the largest mall-based pickleball network in the country today. This development reflects just how quickly the sport has gone from niche fitness trend to a mainstream fixture at one of Asia's biggest retail groups.

SM Supermalls positioned itself in the space well before pickleball became a cultural moment. The group has long invested in sports and recreational infrastructure across its properties, and that head start is now paying off in a meaningful way. In 2026 alone, new courts were added at key SM locations spanning Luzon to Mindanao, cementing the brand's lead in the category.

86 Courts, 29 Malls, One Network

The scale of what SM Active Hub has built is hard to overstate. Eighty-six courts spread across 29 malls means that for most Filipinos living near an SM property, a proper pickleball court is now within reach. The network runs from major urban hubs like SM Mall of Asia and SM North EDSA down to SM City CDO Uptown in Mindanao, with its Sky Play courts offering a distinctive rooftop setting for players in Cagayan de Oro.

Four E-Com Center in the Bay Area is the newest addition, housing a six-court venue that is already being used as the culminating leg for major tournaments. SM City Bicutan and SM City Sta. Mesa has also added permanent courts, expanding access for communities in the south and for players in Manila, San Juan, and Quezon City.

More Than 100 Events Staged Nationwide

Infrastructure is only part of the story. SM Active Hub has organized over 100 tournaments, open-play sessions, and clinics across the country, establishing itself as one of the most active tournament organizers in Philippine pickleball. That volume of programming is what turns a court into a community.

The flagship competition this year is the SM Pickleball Super Series Year 2, run in partnership with Toby's Sports. The series has already completed legs at SM North EDSA and SM Mall of Asia, and the ongoing SM Active Hub Pickleball Trio Challenge is running qualifying rounds at SM City Bicutan, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM City Santa Rosa, SM City Marikina, and SM Center Muntinlupa before finishing at Four E-Com Center.

International Pros on Philippine Courts

SM Active Hub has brought nine international professional pickleball players to the Philippines through its courts and events. The headline name for 2026 is McKonner Dy, a 16-year-old Filipino-Canadian who holds the Canadian national championship and has been drafted into a professional league. Dy toured multiple SM malls from April 9 to 12 as part of the brand's "Here to Move" campaign, taking part in exhibition games, Night Glow events at SM City Cabanatuan and SM Center Muntinlupa, and the Neon Paddle activation at SM Center Antipolo Downtown.

James Ignatowich, a PPA Champion, former World No. 3 in Mixed Doubles, and the Co-Founder and CEO of RPM Pickleball, also played at SM North EDSA during the Toby's Pickleball Super Series event. The appearance brought a level of competitive exposure that most markets outside the US rarely get to experience in person.

In 2025, the courts welcomed Filipino-American pro Lauren Mercado, ranked No. 1 U18 in Nevada and No. 10 U18 in the US. More recently, six pickleball players and content creators from lifestyle collective The Friday Crew visited Four E-Com Center on May 17, turning the venue into a social hub for games, meetups, and giveaways.

Pink Paddles, Night Glow, and a 130,000-Member Community

SM Active Hub has been deliberate about making pickleball feel like more than just a sport. The Pink Paddle Club at SM City East Ortigas, the Night Glow at SM City Cabanatuan, and the Neon Paddle activation at SM Center Antipolo Downtown are examples of how the brand is weaving fitness, entertainment, and nightlife into a single experience. The goal, clearly, is to capture players who might not identify as traditional athletes but are drawn to the social and aesthetic dimensions of the sport.

The SM Active Hub community has grown to over 130,000 members. Through the SM Malls Online App, players can book courts, discover upcoming events, and join clinics at any of the 29 participating locations. That kind of frictionless access is a real advantage in a market where court availability is often the biggest barrier to entry.

According to Senior Assistant Vice President for Operations of SM Sports and Leisure Centers Joseph Francis V. Silva:

"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." 

What This Means for Philippine Pickleball

The Philippines is already Asia's top country by DUPR-registered players, a milestone that reflects a community committed to competitive, rated play. SM Active Hub's infrastructure push adds a physical dimension to that growth. Courts, programming, and professional talent all matter when it comes to developing players past the recreational stage, and SM is now the dominant supplier of all three.

With the 2026 Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang approaching in late August, the timing is relevant. A deeper pool of regularly trained players, spread across a national court network, gives Philippine selectors more options to work with. The infrastructure being built today is exactly the kind that feeds long-term competitive programs.

For a full list of SM Active Hub pickleball court locations and booking details, visit smsupermalls.com/sm-active-hub-pickleball-courts or download the SM Malls Online App.

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