Pickleball in the Philippines is about to take a giant leap forward. The Philippine Tennis Center for Excellence Inc. (PTCEI) has formalised a partnership with Ayala Land to build a world-class international tennis and pickleball centre in Vermosa, Cavite—anchoring the sport’s future alongside the Philippine Tennis Academy.
The ₱500 million project was signed last Saturday in a ceremony involving PTCEI and PTA president Rommie Chan, outgoing Ayala Land senior project development manager Nona Torres, incoming Ayala Land senior project development manager John Estacio, and Ayala Land project development manager Tin-Tin Ofilada.
Pickleball at the Heart of the Facility
The centre will feature 16 dedicated pickleball courts, alongside tennis courts, a gym, a pro shop, a café and restaurant, a bar, a possible golf simulator, and athletes’ quarters capable of accommodating between 60 and 80 trainees.
While the Philippine Tennis Academy will use the site as its permanent home, the pickleball courts will not be reserved for elite athletes alone. They will be open to the public, offering access to coaching, competitive play, and recreational opportunities at every level.
“More than a training facility, it’s a platform for opportunity,” said Chan. “By opening our doors beyond our elite programme, we’re creating a space where every Filipino, regardless of background, can access sport, discover their potential, and be part of a growing racquet sports community.”
Building Pickleball into Vermosa’s Sporting Vision
The centre fits naturally into Ayala’s broader vision for Vermosa as an integrated estate where education, sport, and community converge. The Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub already focuses on athletics and aquatics, with a fitness and sports science laboratory and a 30-room athletes’ dormitory. Estacio described the PTCEI partnership as a fitting addition—bringing racquet sports, and particularly pickleball, into an already strong sporting ecosystem.
Timeline for Completion
Chan has set September this year as the deadline to secure all necessary permits. Groundbreaking is planned for the fourth quarter of 2025, construction begins in January 2027, and the target inauguration date is April 2028. The partnership runs on a 20-year lease.
What This Means for Pickleball in the Philippines
For pickleball, the Vermosa centre represents a landmark moment. The sport has grown rapidly across Asia, and the Philippines now joins the movement with a facility designed to host training, grassroots development, and international competition.
With 16 courts, public access, and integration into a wider sports hub, pickleball will gain visibility and legitimacy as part of the country’s sporting culture. The centre is poised to become a hub for both recreational players and aspiring professionals, ensuring the sport’s momentum continues to build.
The project is dedicated to the memory of Oscar Hilado, who co-founded the Philippine Tennis Academy in 2011. His vision of creating pathways for Filipino talent now extends to pickleball—cementing its place in the nation’s sporting future.
