Anna Leigh Waters to Headline Franklin Pickleball Showcase in Manila
World No. 1 pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters is headed to the Philippines this October as Franklin Sports brings its Franklin Asia Pickleball Showcase to Manila.
The Philippines will serve as the first stop of the multi-country showcase before it moves to Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.
Waters, one of professional pickleball’s biggest stars, will headline the Manila leg and give Filipino fans an opportunity to see the world’s top-ranked player in action.
Full details on the Manila venue, schedule of play, and fan activities have yet to be announced.
Manila Opens Franklin’s Asia Pickleball Showcase
Franklin Sports pointed to the rapid growth of pickleball in the country as one reason for choosing Manila to open the regional showcase.
According to figures provided by Franklin, the Philippine pickleball market has recorded a 1,213% year-over-year growth rate, which the company says makes it the fastest-growing pickleball market in the world.
“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.”
Franklin added that the showcase forms part of its broader effort to grow the sport internationally and connect with emerging pickleball communities.
Waters Brings New Franklin Gear to Manila
Waters’ Manila appearance will also give fans an early look at some of Franklin’s upcoming pickleball equipment.
The World No. 1 recently teased a new all-black Franklin paddle through a September 2 Instagram post in Times Square. Waters later used the mystery paddle in winning the Major League Pickleball Finals, according to Franklin.
The company has yet to formally reveal the paddle.
Franklin will also showcase its X-40 pickleball, which is used across several professional and amateur competitions. In the Philippines, the X-40 serves as the official ball of Manny Pacquiao’s Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour.
Franklin also plans to introduce the X-44, a new faster-playing ball endorsed by Waters, around the end of the year.
Waters’ upcoming appearance comes as her profile in the Philippines continues to grow. She was recently named Global Sports Ambassador for IAM Worldwide, bringing the World No. 1 into the Filipino company’s expanding sports and wellness initiatives.
The Manila stop of the Franklin Asia Pickleball Showcase is scheduled for October 2026, with the exact venue, playing schedule, and opportunities for fans to interact with Waters to be announced in the coming weeks.
