Franklin Sports to bring world No. 1 pickleball star Anna Leigh Waters to Manila in October
Global pickleball leader Franklin Sports has chosen the Philippines as the first stop of its Franklin Asia Pickleball Showcase this October 2026.
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| Photo from Franklin Sports |
Anna Leigh Waters is coming!
The multi‑nation tour opens in Manila before heading to Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.
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| Photo from Franklin Sports |
One of the highlights? The Manila leg features an exclusive appearance by Franklin's star athlete Anna Leigh Waters (ALW), the undisputed World No. 1 and most dominant force in professional pickleball.
Filipino fans and the fast‑growing local pickleball community will get a rare chance to watch ALW’s high‑energy game, which has dominated the global tour.
Franklin's choice of the Philippines highlights the country's rise as a racket‑sports hotspot. With a 1,213% year‑over‑year growth rate. In fact, the Philippines is now the fastest‑growing pickleball market worldwide, making it a top priority for Franklin’s expansion.
To recap, Franklin Sports, an industry pioneer, supplies premium gear trusted by elite pros who won 105 medals this year on the PPA and APP Tours, including Hayden Patriquin, Paris Todd, Will Howells, Jimmy Liong, Sofia Sewing, Casey Diamond, Megan Fudge, and Ryler DeHeart.
Fans will also see Franklin's latest innovations. The Showcase follows ALW's viral September 2 Instagram post in front of her Times Square LED billboard, where she held a mystery all‑black paddle with a bold white "?" graphic. It is the same paddle she used to win the Major League Pickleball finals.
Attendees will witness the legendary Franklin X‑40 ball in action, the global gold standard with over 75% market share in North America.
The X‑40 is also the Official Ball of Manny Pacquiao’s Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour (MPPT), the Franklin US Open Pickleball Championships, the APP Tour, the Pickleball Slam, USA Pickleball, and more than 1,000 tournaments worldwide.
Franklin also announced plans to launch a new faster‑playing ball, the X‑44, endorsed by ALW near year‑end.
Filipino players can shop Franklin's full line of paddles, balls, bags, footwear, and accessories nationwide through Decathlon, Toby’s Sports, Chris Sports, Juego PH, and other partners.
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| ALW x Franklin Sports |
The event will happen from October 13 to 15, 2026.
Details on Manila venues, match schedules, and fan activities will be released soon via Franklin Pickleball on Facebook and Instagram.
We are honored and excited to bring our Franklin Asia Pickleball Showcase to the Philippines, said Jared Franklin, Head of International at Franklin Sports. The Philippines is one of the fastest-growing pickleball markets in the world, and we couldn't be prouder to bring the no. 1 player in the world, Anna Leigh Waters, to Manila.
As a world leader in pickleball, Franklin is committed to developing the sport and bringing players the very best products and innovation. It’s even more special to have Anna Leigh, the game’s greatest player, competing with and showcasing Franklin products that she trusts at the highest level. This visit reflects Franklin's commitment to supporting the growth of pickleball on a global scale. We’re thrilled to connect with the incredible pickleball community in the Philippines and to play a part in the continued growth of this amazing sport.
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