MANILA, Philippines — Major Philippine companies are expanding investments in pickleball as the sport gains popularity across Asia, with a new eight-story complex in Bridgetowne aiming to host international tournaments and provide training facilities.
Helios, a project of Robinsons Land Corp.’s Robinsons Sports & Leisure and Kosmas Athletic Ventures Corp., is under development in Bridgetowne and seeks to become one of Asia’s premier pickleball venues.
The project includes design consultation from Johns Design & Consulting, a firm founded by professional pickleball players Collin and Ben Johns.
Collin Johns, who recently visited the Philippines for coaching clinics in Manila, Cebu and Davao, said the country has strong potential for rapid growth in the sport.
“When even a small percentage of the country begins to play and they start to love pickleball, that makes the sport grow exponentially fast,” Johns said.
Johns, a former world No. 1, said the Philippines is closing the gap with earlier pickleball markets such as Vietnam and Malaysia.
He pointed to the country’s established badminton, tennis and table tennis communities as another factor that could accelerate pickleball’s growth, noting that players from those sports can transition to pickleball.
Kim Lapus, president of Kosmas Athletic Ventures, said Helios will feature a climate-controlled indoor facility designed to accommodate international competitions.
The complex will also benefit from its location within Bridgetowne’s commercial district, which includes retail, dining and hotel developments.
“For the players and for the spectators, everything is walking distance in Bridgetowne,” Lapus said, citing nearby Opus mall, restaurants and the soon-to-open Fili Hotel.
Ramon Rivero, Robinsons Land’s chief strategy officer and general manager of Robinsons Sports & Leisure, said the company created its sports and leisure unit to complement its existing malls, offices, residential projects and hotels with recreation-focused destinations.
Players will get an early look at the concept through Helios Beta, a temporary outdoor venue scheduled to open in Bridgetowne in October 2026.
Organizers plan to give selected participants from Johns’ coaching clinics opportunities to coach at the temporary facility before the permanent Helios complex opens.
The investment reflects growing expectations that pickleball’s expansion across Asia will increase demand for dedicated venues, professional coaching and competitive tournaments.
