Filipino pickleball fans will get another opportunity to watch one of the sport’s biggest global stars when Anna Leigh Waters returns to Manila on December 9, 2026, for a major exhibition at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The event, titled “IAM EXPERIENCE: Anna Leigh Waters,” will begin at 3 p.m. and combine pickleball exhibitions, interactive fan activities, musical performances and celebrity appearances.
Organized by IAM Worldwide, the showcase has been moved to the iconic Big Dome to accommodate growing interest following Waters’ first Philippine visit in October.
The 19-year-old American is currently ranked No. 1 in women’s singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles on the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour. Her return is expected to attract professional players, recreational enthusiasts and Filipino fans eager to see the sport’s dominant young athlete in action.
The event also highlights pickleball’s growing popularity in the Philippines, where the sport is attracting participants from different age groups and sporting backgrounds. SunStar Publishing Inc.+3
Why Anna Leigh Waters Is One of Pickleball’s Biggest Global Stars
Waters has become one of the most recognizable names in professional pickleball despite her young age.
She turned professional in 2019, when she was just 12 years old, and quickly established herself as a dominant competitor.
According to her official PPA Tour profile, she has accumulated more than 200 career titles across women’s singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles competitions. Her aggressive playing style, quick reactions and ability to control rallies have helped establish her as one of the sport’s leading athletes.
Her achievements include:
- World No. 1 ranking in women’s singles.
- World No. 1 ranking in women’s doubles.
- World No. 1 ranking in mixed doubles.
- More than 200 career titles.
- Multiple championship victories and Triple Crown performances.
A Triple Crown is achieved when a player wins all three major divisions—singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles—at the same tournament.
Waters’ dominance has helped raise the profile of professional pickleball internationally, particularly as the sport expands into Asia. World No. 1 Women’s Pickleball Player+2
From Her First Philippine Visit to a Bigger Big Dome Return
Waters first visited the Philippines in mid-October 2026 as part of the Franklin Asia Pickleball Showcase.
During her three-day Manila visit, she participated in promotional activities and met local sports personalities, media representatives and pickleball enthusiasts.
She also attended a press conference at Dusit Thani Manila on October 15, where she confirmed that she would return to the country in December.
BusinessMirror reported that her Philippine appearance was supported by Franklin Sports and IAM Worldwide. Waters also discussed her equipment partnership and her role in promoting pickleball to a wider international audience.
The response from Filipino fans reportedly encouraged organizers to move the December event to the Smart Araneta Coliseum, a much larger venue than an ordinary exhibition space.
The Big Dome has hosted major concerts, sporting events and entertainment productions for decades, making it a high-profile location for a showcase that combines professional sport and entertainment. BusinessMirror+2
What Fans Can Expect at IAM EXPERIENCE
The December 9 programme is designed to offer more than a conventional pickleball match.
Organizers have announced a combination of:
- Pickleball exhibition matches featuring Waters.
- Interactive activities for fans.
- Musical performances.
- Celebrity appearances.
- Opportunities to experience professional pickleball up close.
The exhibition format means the event should not be confused with a regular PPA Tour ranking tournament. Its focus is on showcasing the sport, entertaining spectators and introducing more Filipinos to professional pickleball.
Further details about participating celebrities, exhibition match formats and the complete programme may still be announced by the organizers.
For local players, the event could also provide an opportunity to observe the speed, positioning, shot selection and court strategy used by a world-class professional.
How to Get Tickets for the December 9 Event
IAM Worldwide has announced that admission tickets will be offered through designated product-package purchases rather than as unconditional free admission.
The announced ticket schedule is:
| Ticket activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Registered IAM member presale | November 5, 2026 |
| General ticket release | November 9, 2026 |
| Event date | December 9, 2026 |
| Programme start | 3 p.m. |
Tickets are described as complimentary with the purchase of designated IAM Worldwide product packages. They can be claimed through the company’s head office and authorized branches nationwide.
The exact qualifying packages, seat categories, redemption arrangements and branch schedules should be checked through IAM Worldwide’s official social media accounts:
- Instagram: @iamworldwideofficial
- Facebook: @iamworldwideofficialfb
Fans should verify the package requirements and ticket availability before making a purchase. A complimentary ticket tied to a product purchase is not the same as an event with unrestricted free admission. BusinessMirror+1
Waters’ Rise Shows How Pickleball Is Reaching a New Generation
Waters’ success is particularly remarkable because she did not initially see pickleball as the sport she would pursue professionally.
In an October 15 interview with GMA News, she recalled that she was not a big fan of pickleball before giving it a serious try.
She grew up in a sports-oriented family. Her mother, Leigh Waters, played NCAA Division I tennis at the University of South Carolina, while her father was interested in golf.
Waters also played tennis and soccer as a child. After discovering pickleball, however, she became increasingly interested in the game and eventually committed to a professional career.
Her story has become an example of how the sport can attract young athletes who may come from different sporting backgrounds.
Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. It is played on a smaller court than tennis and uses solid paddles and a perforated plastic ball.
Its relatively accessible format has helped it gain popularity among recreational players, while professional competitions have created opportunities for elite athletes to compete internationally. GMA News Online+2
Philippines Becoming an Important Stop for International Pickleball
Waters’ return comes as professional pickleball expands its presence across Asia.
In March 2026, Reuters reported that she was preparing for her international competition debut at the PPA Tour Asia Hanoi Cup in Vietnam, held from April 1 to 5.
The tournament marked an important step in the expansion of the professional circuit beyond the United States.
Waters’ Asian appearances, including her Philippine visit, reflect the growing interest in bringing elite players closer to regional audiences.
The Philippines is also developing its own pickleball community through local clubs, recreational facilities, tournaments and international exhibitions.
WWC ONE MEDIA previously covered professional pickleball’s growing Philippine presence in Gabe Tardio Is Bringing World-Class Pickleball to the Philippines — But His Next Move Could Be Even Bigger.
The sport’s expansion is also reflected in the changing use of commercial spaces. In Philippine Mall Giants Bet ₱184 Billion on 46 Projects as Pickleball Replaces Cinemas, WWC ONE MEDIA examined how major mall operators are adding pickleball courts and other recreational facilities to attract visitors.
The growth of international sports events is another part of the picture. WWC ONE MEDIA reported on Alex Eala’s return for a historic Philippine Arena tennis showcase, highlighting how major exhibitions can bring international-level sporting experiences to Filipino fans.
Meanwhile, Palawan Group’s support for the 43rd PCA Open shows how sponsorships and local competitions can contribute to the development of Philippine racquet sports.
These developments suggest that pickleball is becoming part of a broader expansion of recreational and competitive sports in the country, although sustained growth will depend on accessible facilities, coaching and regular competitions.
Why the Big Dome Showcase Matters Beyond Entertainment
The December event could be an important promotional moment for pickleball in the Philippines.
A large-scale exhibition featuring a world No. 1 athlete can introduce the sport to people who have never watched a professional match. It can also inspire recreational players to improve their skills and encourage young athletes to explore competitive opportunities.
For organizers, the challenge will be turning the excitement generated by one major event into sustained participation.
That means supporting local tournaments, developing coaches, making equipment accessible and providing more opportunities for Filipino players to compete.
Waters’ appearance at the Big Dome offers an opportunity to showcase the sport at a scale that ordinary local competitions may not be able to match.
Anna Leigh Waters’ Manila Return Set for December 9
With the event scheduled for December 9, Filipino fans now have a confirmed date to see one of professional pickleball’s most successful young athletes return to the country.
The programme will combine exhibition play, entertainment and fan activities at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with tickets available through IAM Worldwide’s designated product-package arrangements.
For Waters, the showcase marks another opportunity to connect with an enthusiastic Philippine audience. For local pickleball enthusiasts, it is a chance to witness the speed and skill of a player who has helped define the modern professional game.
The bigger question is whether Waters’ return will do more than fill the Big Dome—and help turn the Philippines into one of Asia’s most exciting pickleball destinations.
