18 Couples, One Court: The UAE's First Couples Pickleball Tournament
Eighteen husband-and-wife teams took to the courts in Al Dhannah City for what organisers call the first couples pickleball tournament in the UAE.
Pickleball in the UAE keeps finding new ways to bring people together. Over three nights, from 16 to 18 October 2026, the Al Dhannah Pickleball Club hosted what its organisers describe as the first couples pickleball tournament in the UAE.
The event
Eighteen husband-and-wife teams played on the courts at ADNOC Housing in Al Dhannah City, which ADNOC Housing and Primal provided free of charge. Couples turned out in matching outfits, and the club ran the event with its own volunteer team, from registration and refereeing to food and media.
The podium
- Gold: the Sagun couple
- Silver: the Dela Cruz couple
- Bronze: the Tayab couple
There were prizes off the scoreboard too: Best Dressed (the Montanez couple), Most Energetic (the De Castro couple), Picture Perfect (the Dayao couple) and Social Media Couple for the most likes online (the Miranda couple).
A young club, moving fast
The Al Dhannah Pickleball Club only formed in June 2026, started by two couples. Founder Elyn Sagun has said she set it up so whole families could play the same sport together. A week before the couples event, the club also ran a three-day, all-levels tournament with 85 registered players.
It's exactly the kind of grassroots energy that is growing the game across the Emirates. Running a club event or tournament? Get in touch and we'll help you get your players on court with the right gear.
Source: The Global Filipino Magazine.
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