Pickleball’s rise in the Philippines just took another big step forward. Manny Pacquiao’s newly launched Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour (MPPT) has struck a broadcast partnership with Solar Sports, giving the country’s fastest‑growing sport a national platform starting this October.
The MPPT will debut across five cities, with matches aired on weekends via Solar Sports. It’s the latest addition to the network’s roster alongside the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), further cementing Pacquiao’s role as a driving force in Philippine sport beyond his boxing legacy.
The Invitationals will feature 12 teams, each composed of eight to ten players, with a requirement for at least two homegrown talents. By March 2027, the league expects to expand to 16–24 teams for its first full season.
Shared Vision
Pacquiao emphasised the importance of the partnership: “From the beginning, our goal has been to give Filipino athletes a bigger platform and help bring pickleball to more people across the country. Having Solar Sports as our broadcast partner allows us to bring the MPPT and our athletes to an even bigger audience.”
MPPT Commissioner Mark Espinosa echoed the sentiment, noting that both sides share the same vision of elevating pickleball in the Philippines. Solar Sports President Wilson Tieng, a longtime ally of Pacquiao, described the deal as a natural extension of their collaboration, building on the success of the MPBL.
Teams and Format
The inaugural line‑up includes the Rizal Illustrados, Bacoor Strikers, Muntinlupa Smashers, Pampanga Chiefs, Batangas Bangers, Alfonso Siklab, Bangued Miki, GenSan Punchers, Parañaque Titans, Camarines Norte Golden Hawks, and Abra River Paddlers.
Matches will feature men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles in a single‑round robin format on Saturdays, with the top eight teams advancing to Sunday playoffs. In case of ties, singles matches between each team’s best players will decide the outcome.
Each leg carries a prize pool of ₱1 million, with an even larger purse expected for the national finals in Metro Manila. Pacquiao and his wife, both avid pickleball players, are set to attend the opening ceremony, alongside celebrities and influencers who have embraced the sport.
Licenced by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), the MPPT is open to all Filipinos aged 18 and above, with minors allowed subject to parental consent.
This broadcast deal marks a turning point for pickleball in the Philippines. With Solar Sports backing the league, the MPPT is poised to bring the sport into living rooms nationwide and give Filipino athletes a stage worthy of their growing talent.
