Hey trendsetters,

Have you been invited to a pickleball game yet? There’s a high chance you have — or at least you know someone dropping heavy hints in the group chat for you to join them.

The sport has blown up so fast that sports clubs and covered courts are literally repainting their floors to accommodate the hype. But while this takeover might seem sudden, it actually took years of support to push pickleball into what it is now.

So in this edition of Trend Intel, we’re breaking down how this cross between ping-pong, tennis, and badminton became the new weekend obsession of your friend group, tita, pamangkin, and even lola. And good news for them: we’re gonna give you the intel on how to get on that court yourself.

Not quite new

I was quite surprised to find out that pickleball actually started in 1965. By then, my dad would have been learning tennis as a child, and my mom ping-pong. Despite the sport having already earned its senior citizen ID, it was only during the pandemic that its rise to global fame actually began.

Google Trends shows that interest in the sport remained flat for years, but a sudden uptick happened midway through 2020. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why, but we can imagine it was a mix of things, possibly including its low barrier to entry and people’s hunger to learn new skills at the time.

At the forefront in legitimizing the sport in the country is the Philippine Pickleball Federation (PPF), which is recognized by both the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee, and is also among the founding members of the Global Pickleball Federation. The federation has been hard at work in bolstering a supportive community of players, and even has a map for clubs and courts. It also hosts championship games and a registry of players so they can keep track of their rankings.

Fast forward to 2026, and pickleball has grown so legitimate that it has completely taken over local showbiz, too. Whether it’s Heart Evangelista and Catriona Gray treating the court like a runway, Mimiyuuuh vlogging her beginner drills, or Donny Pangilinan playing on his days off, the sport has officially become the weekend aesthetic of the internet’s favorite people.

It’s also successfully become people’s “third place,” or a place where they make new or strengthen connections.

New third place: Pickleball courts

A couple of years ago, running clubs were the hip new thing to join with your friends or meet people. There even came a time when running apps like Strava were touted as the new dating app, and clubs as a new venue for making romantic connections. With its popularity came all the specialized gear, the Pinterest fits, apps, and running events. Running is still pretty popular for casual enjoyers, but arguably at a close second is pickleball.

Just like running, pickleball has been a great opportunity for many players to find their tribe, and courts have turned into their new “third place” – a social setting apart from one’s home and school or workplace. A study done in Asia shows that 812 million people played pickleball at least once, and 282 million play at least once a month.

🔗 Read how these pickleball players scored friendships in between matches

The brands are noticing

Pickleball is pulling in people from all kinds of communities. It’s a game that can be enjoyed regardless of your fitness level, age, and knowledge of the game because its mechanics are fairly easy to understand. And brands know this.

Perhaps among the sport’s largest milestones would be recognition and support from brands. Take SM Prime and Robinsons Land Corporation — two of the largest real estate developers in the country — which have converted existing venues and built new ones for pickleball games. (READ: Move over, tennis: Philippine malls ride on pickleball popularity)

Then there’s footwear and apparel company Skechers, which launched a line of shoes made especially for pickleball. Just last month, Skechers also held the first-ever Philippine Pickleball Amateur Nationals Championship.

There are more brands joining the hype, like Nike and Lululemon, and it wouldn’t be surprising if we start seeing shelves in sportswear stores labeled specifically for pickleball.

And if you’re a newbie, you’re probably wondering what people wear for pickleball matches. So we asked a few pickleball players for some guidance. Their answer? With a sport as lax as pickleball, you can wear whatever you want.

That being said, though, there are some recommendations they’d like to make.

Go for comfort and affordability

Unlike other sports that are more physically demanding, pickleball can be played even while wearing everyday clothes — or even your old PE uniforms, as one of the players we talked to suggests. But if you are optimizing your fit for a match, players suggest going for something comfortable and worth the price.

🔗 Pickleball outfits players swear by

If there’s anything unique to pickleball that you’ll need to spend on, it’s the actual equipment. Luckily, many courts offer paddles and balls that you can rent onsite, so you don’t need to shell out a good chunk of change if you’re playing for the first time or just getting into it. However, if you are considering owning your own gear, we’ve got you. We also asked pro pickleball players what to consider when buying equipment.

🔗 Shop paddles and balls recommended by pros

Pickleball, g?

I’ve only played pickleball once, and even though my bias when it comes to racket sports is still badminton, I get the hype.

Unless you’re committing to becoming a competitive player, pickleball is a casual game that’s best enjoyed with good company. It’s loads of fun when you’re playing with friends, it’s a decent workout, and it’s so easy to weave into your weekly routine.

Personally, I think the best part about this is, just like with other IRL activities, we’re pulled away from our screens and digital lives and are once again enjoying physical spaces together. We get the chance to form a movement, be part of a broader community, and have a shared reality.

Until the next scroll,

Julian Cirineo
BrandRap Editor

– Rappler.com