Bacolod pickleball tournament offers PHP 2.3 million in prizes

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – More than 500 pickleball players are expected to converge in Bacolod City for Pickleball Invasion 2026, set for Dec. 4 to 6, with a total prize pool of PHP 2,306,400.

“This is about raising the bar for pickleball tournaments in the Philippines,” said Crystal Canillo, the tournament’s marketing head, following the unveiling of the prize pool Sunday night, Nov. 8.

Canillo emphasized that the substantial prize pool reflects the scale of the organizers’ vision, with bigger things still in store.

Presented by Grace Pharmacy and UNILAB, Pickleball Invasion 2026 is being positioned as one of the biggest pickleball tournaments in Philippine sporting history.

Organizers said the event aims to go beyond competition by providing a premium sporting experience that highlights athletic excellence, camaraderie, and the sport’s growing popularity across the country.

Participation will be capped at 560 players across different categories to ensure a well-organized and highly competitive tournament.

Canillo stressed that their goal is not simply to offer a substantial prize pool but also to create a memorable experience for participants.

“We want players to experience a tournament that is professionally organized, exciting, and memorable from registration to the final match,” she added.

Organizers are expected to announce the complete prize distribution for each bracket and category within the week.

Details regarding tournament officials, match schedules, registration and payment procedures, and other competition-related activities will also be released.

Meanwhile, the excitement will extend beyond the courts, with organizers preparing special raffle prizes and giveaways for pickleball enthusiasts and spectators.

These additional activities are expected to give the wider pickleball community more opportunities to participate in the festivities and share in the excitement surrounding the sporting event.

The upcoming tournament follows the inaugural Benitez Million Pickleball Cup, held in Bacolod City from Oct. 16 to 18 as part of the MassKara Festival celebration.

That competition offered a total prize pool of PHP 1 million and attracted approximately 800 players from across the country, reflecting the sport’s growing popularity in Bacolod and Negros Occidental.