Bacolod City—the same city in the Philippines that’s at the centre of a pickleball noise brouhaha—is about to play host to one of the most ambitious pickleball tournaments the country has seen. With a prize pool of ₱1 million and close to 800 athletes registered, the Benitez Million Pickleball Cup is shaping up to be a landmark event for Negros Occidental’s fast-growing pickleball community.
The tournament, spearheaded by Negros Occidental third district Representative Javier Miguel Benitez, will bring together players from Iloilo, Cebu, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Manila, and beyond. Tournament manager Richard Nagac of the One Pickleball Tournament Organization (OPTA) described the competition as more than just a battle for medals. “It’s a celebration of community, talent, and sportsmanship,” he said during a press briefing at Scarborough on 6 October 2026.
Registration has already closed, with organisers firm on not accepting walk-ins. The youngest competitor is a 16-year-old public school student, while the oldest is a 72-year-old veteran in the Executive 50+ category—a testament to pickleball’s wide appeal.
Venue, Format, and Prizes of Benitez Million Pickleball Cup
The matches will unfold at Paddle City on Magsaysay Avenue, where 10 courts have been readied for the three-day spectacle from 16 to 18 October. The tournament will feature men’s and women’s doubles across five divisions: Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, Executive 50+, and Open.
Charles Go, one of the co-incorporators, explained that three categories will be exclusive to specific divisions, while two will remain open to eligible players.
Prize Breakdown
- Beginner: ₱20,000, ₱15,000, ₱10,000
- Novice: ₱30,000, ₱20,000, ₱10,000
- Intermediate: ₱40,000, ₱30,000, ₱20,000
- Open: ₱60,000, ₱30,000, ₱20,000
- Executive 50+: ₱50,000, ₱30,000, ₱20,000
USA Pickleball rules will govern play, with the tournament team overseeing officiating and match management. “We want to keep pickleball where it belongs,” Nagac emphasised, underscoring the organisers’ commitment to integrity and fair play.
Security and operational requirements have been prepared, according to co-incorporator Dexter Telis. Spectators will be allowed inside the venue, though access to the courts will be restricted to players involved in ongoing matches. Live coverage is also expected to be announced.
Pickleball With a Purpose
Beyond the competition, the event carries a social mission. Through a partnership with Negrense Volunteers for Change (NVC) and its Mingo Meals programme, part of the registration fee will support nutrition initiatives for malnourished children in Negros Occidental. Of the ₱800 registration fee, ₱100 will be donated to NVC.
Mingo Meals, priced at around ₱10 per serving, are designed to be affordable and convenient, providing nourishment to communities where malnutrition remains a pressing concern. Co-incorporator Jet Pili summed it up neatly: “It’s not just pickleball, but with a purpose.”
While the tournament will not feature international players, organisers believe the Benitez Million Pickleball Cup could help position Negros as a destination for pickleball in the Philippines. Pili described the event as an investment in both sport and community development, expressing hope that it will spread positivity as pickleball continues to gain traction nationwide.
Nagac closed with a simple but telling statement: “We are ready now to serve.”
This isn’t just another tournament. It’s a showcase of pickleball’s rise in the Philippines, a celebration of community, and a reminder that sport can be a platform for something bigger than competition. Negros is ready, and the paddles are about to swing.
