World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters to Headline Manila Pickleball Showcase
Last Updated on September 23, 2026 by Over Here Toronto
World No. 1 pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters is coming to Manila this October for the first stop of the Franklin Asia Pickleball Showcase.
The Manila leg will run from October 13 to 15, 2026, before the event moves to Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. Franklin Sports announced the tour as part of its push to connect with growing pickleball communities in Asia.
Waters will headline the Philippine stop and show local fans the playing style that has kept her at the top of the sport. The Professional Pickleball Association currently ranks her No. 1 in the women’s world rankings.
Franklin has not yet released the Manila venue, ticket information, daily schedule, or details on how fans can take part. The company says it will share more information closer to the event.
Manila Opens the Franklin Asia Pickleball Showcase
The Philippines will serve as the opening country for Franklin Sports’ new Asia showcase.
After Manila, the tour will continue to Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. Franklin selected the Philippines as its first stop as the company sees strong growth in the local pickleball market.
Franklin Sports Head of International Jared Franklin said the company was looking forward to the Manila stop.
“We are honored and excited to bring our Franklin Asia Pickleball Showcase to the Philippines.”
Franklin also said its data shows a 1,213% year-on-year increase in the Philippine pickleball market. That figure comes from Franklin Sports and has not been independently confirmed in the sources reviewed for this article.
For Filipino players, the showcase will bring one of the sport’s biggest names to the country at a time when more courts, clubs, and local events are appearing around Metro Manila and other parts of the Philippines.
Anna Leigh Waters Holds the Women’s No. 1 Spot
Waters enters the Manila showcase as the top-ranked woman on the PPA Tour.
The latest World Pickleball Rankings list her at No. 1 with 20,710 points. The PPA also lists her first in women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
She turned professional in 2019 after starting the sport at a young age.
The PPA says Waters has reached 200 career titles across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. She has also won more titles than any other woman listed in the tour’s career records.
Her current PPA profile shows:
- World ranking: No. 1
- Career titles: 200
- Singles titles: 65
- Doubles titles: 67
- Mixed doubles titles: 68
- Playing hand: Right-handed
Readers can check her current ranking through the official PPA Tour rankings page.
Franklin Will Show New Pickleball Gear in Manila
The Manila event will also give fans a look at Franklin Sports equipment.
One item getting attention is an all-black paddle that Waters teased in a September 2 social media post. Franklin says Waters later used the paddle during the Major League Pickleball finals.
The company has not yet shared all details about the paddle.
Franklin also plans to feature its X-40 ball during the Asia showcase. In the Philippines, the X-40 is used by the Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour linked to Manny Pacquiao.
The company has also announced plans for the X-44, a faster ball backed by Waters. Franklin expects to release it around the end of 2026.
Other Franklin Players Could Join the Tour
Franklin Sports works with several professional pickleball players.
Its current roster includes names such as Hayden Patriquin, Parris Todd, Will Howells, Jimmy Liong, Sofia Sewing, Casey Diamond, Megan Fudge, and Ryler DeHeart.
Some reports about the Asia showcase mention these players while discussing Franklin’s athlete group. However, Franklin has not confirmed that all of them will appear in Manila.
For now, Waters is the confirmed main player for the Philippine stop.
Any other player announcements should come from Franklin before fans treat them as part of the final Manila lineup.
Pickleball Has Been Growing Around Metro Manila
Pickleball combines parts of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Players use paddles and a plastic ball with holes on a smaller court.
Its smaller playing area makes it easier for some sports centers, malls, clubs, and community spaces to set up courts.
Metro Manila has seen more places add pickleball in recent years. SM Mall of Asia, for example, has offered pickleball at its Music Hall as part of its sports activities.
The sport also has a growing local competition scene.
Franklin’s X-40 serves as the official ball of the Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour, while local clubs continue to run social games and tournaments.
Waters’ visit gives that growing community a chance to see the women’s No. 1 player in person without traveling overseas.
Venue and Ticket Details Are Still Coming
The most important point for fans planning to attend is that not every event detail is out yet.
- Event: Franklin Asia Pickleball Showcase
- Manila dates: October 13–15, 2026
- Headliner: Anna Leigh Waters
- First tour stop: Manila, Philippines
- Other countries: Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam
Fans should avoid buying tickets from unofficial sellers until Franklin confirms the booking process.
The company says it will release local details through Franklin Pickleball’s official social media pages in the coming weeks.
The Manila showcase starts on October 13 and ends October 15. Until Franklin names the venue and ticket plan, fans can follow official updates rather than rely on unconfirmed event posts.
