Bacolod City is preparing to welcome the Benitez Million Pickleball Cup, a major tournament featuring a ₱1 million prize pool and nearly 800 registered athletes. Scheduled for 16–18 October 2026, the event aims to showcase the growth of pickleball in Negros Occidental while bringing players together through competition and community engagement.
Key Points:
- ₱1 million prize pool: The Benitez Million Pickleball Cup is set to be a major event for Negros Occidental’s pickleball scene.
- Nearly 800 players registered: Competitors will travel from across the Philippines, with ages ranging from 16 to 72.
- Five divisions on offer: Men’s and women’s doubles will be contested across Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, Executive 50+ and Open categories.
- A tournament with a cause: ₱100 from each ₱800 registration fee will support child nutrition initiatives through Negrense Volunteers for Change.
Bacolod Set for Major Pickleball Tournament
The tournament is spearheaded by Negros Occidental third district Representative Javier Miguel Benitez. Players are expected from Iloilo, Cebu, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Manila and other areas across the Philippines.
Tournament manager Richard Nagac of the One Pickleball Tournament Organization (OPTA) described the event as a celebration of community, talent and sportsmanship during a press briefing on 6 October.
Registration has closed, and organisers will not accept walk-in entries. Participants range from a 16-year-old public school student to a 72-year-old competitor in the Executive 50+ division, highlighting the sport’s appeal across generations.
Venue, Categories and Prize Money
Matches will take place at Paddle City on Magsaysay Avenue, where 10 courts have been prepared for the three-day tournament. The competition will feature men’s and women’s doubles across five divisions: Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, Executive 50+ and Open. Matches will follow USA Pickleball rules, with organisers overseeing officiating and match management to maintain fair play.
Benitez Million Pickleball Cup Prize Breakdown
The Beginner division offers ₱20,000 for first place, ₱15,000 for second and ₱10,000 for third.
In the Novice division, the top three finishers will receive ₱30,000, ₱20,000 and ₱10,000, respectively.
The Intermediate division has a higher prize pool, with ₱40,000 for the champion, ₱30,000 for the runner-up and ₱20,000 for third place.
The Open division offers ₱60,000 to the winner, followed by ₱30,000 for second place and ₱20,000 for third.
Meanwhile, the Executive 50+ division will award ₱50,000 to the champion, ₱30,000 to the runner-up and ₱20,000 to the third-place finisher.
Pickleball Tournament Supports Child Nutrition
Beyond the competition, the Benitez Million Pickleball Cup will contribute to a community initiative through its partnership with Negrense Volunteers for Change (NVC) and its Mingo Meals programme.
Of the ₱800 registration fee, ₱100 will go towards nutrition initiatives supporting malnourished children in Negros Occidental. Mingo Meals cost around ₱10 per serving and are designed to provide affordable nourishment to communities facing food and nutrition challenges.
Co-incorporator Jet Pili summed up the event’s wider mission by describing it as pickleball “with a purpose”. Organisers hope the tournament will deliver benefits beyond the courts while helping raise the profile of the sport across the region.
Benitez Million Pickleball Cup Aims to Boost Negros’ Profile
Although the tournament will not feature international players, organisers believe it can help establish Negros as a destination for pickleball in the Philippines.
The combination of a substantial prize pool, broad participation and a charitable contribution makes the event more than a competition for medals. As pickleball continues to gain popularity nationwide, the Benitez Million Pickleball Cup aims to bring the local community together while supporting a cause beyond sport.
