Named the Helios Pickleball Center, the eight-story, 17,500-square-meter venue is slated for completion by 2027, and is being developed with Kosmas Athletic Ventures Corp. (KAVC).
The launch ceremony will be led by RLC chair Lance Y. Gokongwei and president and CEO Mybelle V. Aragon-GoBio, with top officials from the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Major League Pickleball (MLP) joining in.
Big picture
The move marks RLC’s entry into the fast-growing sports and recreation segment, with the project serving as the flagship for its newly formed unit, Robinsons Sports, Entertainment, and Recreation (SER).
The complex is designed to meet Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) standards, positioning the Philippines to host top-tier international tournaments.
Why pickleball?
Pickleball, a relatively young sport, was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum as a backyard game using a badminton court, ping-pong paddles, and a perforated plastic ball.
Its popularity has surged in recent years.
Participation jumped from 8.9 million US players in 2022 to nearly 20 million in 2024—a 311 percent increase in three years, according to RLC.
Its broad appeal across age groups fueled a $1.5 billion market in 2023, with strong momentum into 2024. Its rapid growth now supports Olympic ambitions, with efforts underway for inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Games.
New growth arena
Helios is the first project under Robinsons Sports, Entertainment, and Recreation (SER), a new RLC division focused on immersive venues in the sports and entertainment space.
“With the launch of Robinsons Sports, Entertainment, and Recreation, we are expanding into new spaces that complement Robinsons Land’s recognized strengths, especially our malls that serve Filipino communities nationwide and our growing Destination Estates like Bridgetowne,” said Aragon-GoBio.
The complex includes 25 indoor professional-grade courts, a stadium court for tournaments, a sports clinic, gym, and dining options across six floors.
Two basement levels provide ample parking, and the center is built to PPA tournament standards, positioning it for future international events under the PPA Tour.
Helios is open to all
Unlike exclusive sports clubs, Helios is open to all.
Players can reserve courts via PodPlay, a digital platform that supports bookings, group games, and social connections—removing traditional barriers to entry.
“Helios is just the beginning. As the first of its kind in Asia, it reflects Robinsons Land’s ambition and vision to support the rising popularity of pickleball while also creating accessible, world-class venues that promote active lifestyles, community building, and even national pride through sport,” Aragon-GoBio adds.
Bridgetowne’s next icon
Named after the Greek sun god, Helios symbolizes energy, strength, and excellence.
Located beside The Victor, the estate’s prominent public art installation, the facility adds another layer to the estate’s efforts to attract residents, visitors, and investors seeking dynamic urban environments.
—Edited by Miguel R. Camus
