UPA Asia and Kosmas Athletic Ventures Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Thursday to work towards hosting multiple PPA Tour Asia tournaments at Helios Pickleball in Pasig City (Manila, Philippines) beginning in 2027.

The MOU signing coincided with the groundbreaking ceremony for Helios Pickleball, which will feature 25 professional-grade pickleball courts, including a stadium court built to international standards. The 17,500-square-meter complex will also house a gym, sports clinic, dining options, and two levels of basement parking, positioning it as the premier pickleball venue in the region.

“In the years to come, we will look back on this day as the day when everything started, not just in the Philippines, but the revolution of pickleball in Southeast Asia, in Asia, and the globalization of the sport,” said Kimberly Koh, Managing Director of UPA Asia.

“It’s very significant because it cements the bond between PPA and the tour with Helios. We are very excited that we have the support of PPA and we are very excited when that facility is done, we can hold tournaments here in Asia, and we could invite international players to a purpose-built facility that is one of a kind,” said Kim Lapus, President of Kosmas Athletic Ventures Corporation.

The venue has been designed specifically for hosting major international pickleball tournaments, with Kosmas Athletic Ventures Corporation serving as the event promoter. The facility aligns with Robinsons Land Corporation’s push for new spaces focused on sport, entertainment and recreation to support an active, wellness-driven lifestyle.

“We would love to have a tournament here as soon as the facility is ready, and I understand it is slated to be ready in 2027. That will be our goal – to bring a major tournament from the PPA to Manila,” added Koh. “In the lead up to that, and also engaging with the PPF (Philippine Pickleball Federation) as well as all the clubs, we would love to continue to build on that activation as we lead up to a major tournament here in Manila so that everyone is excited when we finally do a tournament here.”

Witnesses to the signing included Tom Nguyen, CEO of Asia Pacific for JOOLA, and Ramos Rivero, Chief Strategist and Head of Sustainability at Robinsons Land Corporation.