PH gears for busiest sports hosting stretch of this year 2025

SENATOR Alan Peter Cayetano has long been optimistic that the Philippines has what it takes to host world-class sporting events, and that confidence is starting to bear fruit.

From the successful staging of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games to the record-breaking FIBA World Cup in 2023, the country has steadily proven that it can bring together athletes, fans, and stakeholders on the global stage.

The FIBA World Cup, in particular, put the Philippines firmly on the international sports map. While the nation has often been identified as a basketball-loving country, the event showed that it can go beyond just passion for the sport and deliver a hosting job worthy of global standards.

Yet in recent years,even in local games, attendance records in basketball, volleyball, and even football have proven otherwise. The country may not yet be a powerhouse in these sports, but its ability to host top-tier competitions shows remarkable progress.

Now, as 2025 winds down, the Philippines is preparing for its busiest stretch yet, hosting a couple of tournaments for the very first time.

*****FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship******

From September 12 to 28, the country will welcome 32 of the best men’s volleyball teams to compete in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship.

Coming on the heels of its consistent hosting of the Volleyball Nations League, this event is considered one of the toughest tests of international hosting, all because it’s a solo hosting.

The Smart Araneta Coliseum and Mall of Asia Arena will serve as the main battle grounds, with historic venues like the PhilSports Arena, Rizal Memorial Coliseum, and Ninoy Aquino Stadium designated as training sites.

***FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup***

If volleyball’s World Championship highlights versatility, football’s milestone brings history. From November 21 to December 7, the Philippines will host the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, marking the first time the country stages a FIFA World Cup of any kind.

The tournament will be played across two venues — the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City and the Victorias City Coliseum in Negros Occidental with sixteen nations participating.

***More to Come***

With these world-class tournaments lined up, the Philippines is rewriting its sporting narrative. What was once a nation hosting primarily regional competitions is now a recognized partner for the world’s biggest federations.

For Cayetano and many others who believe in the country’s sporting potential, these milestones are just the beginning.

It is about building a lasting reputation, inspiring athletes, and proving that the Philippines can be a true player on the global stage. DANNY SIMON