Philippines unveils seven-year program in partnership with FIVB, announced as host for 2029 Women's World Championships

c/o FIVB, Volleyball World, and the PNVF

Before the final of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship commenced, a special announcement took place at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

FIVB President Fabio Azevedo, and Brazilian volleyball icon Leila Barros shared to the fans present that the Philippines is set to host the 2029 edition of the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship.

Azevedo tells the crowd, "Thank you very much for your warm welcome. Thank you for hosting the best world championships ever." Before adding, "But now. when you’re thinking that we’re going to the end, we have an amazing surprise …. Philippines are you ready?"

Barros then says in her native Portuguese, "Congratulations Philippines! You are hosting the 2029 FIVB Women’s World Championships!" The volleyball icon and now senator back home concludes, "Mahal ko kayo!"

The announcement completes the schedule of the World Championships in the next two editions.

2027 sees Poland (men) and the United States and Canada (women) as hosts, with Qatar previously announced as the host for the 2029 edition for the men.

In a subsequently statement, Azevedo notes, "Hosting the Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2029 in the Philippines is an opportunity to again showcase not only the very best of volleyball but also the positive impact our sport has on society."

The Women's World Championship is set to be the centerpiece of a seven-year volleyball development program unveiled by the Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio, positioning the country as a rising global hub for the sport. He made the presentation to key FIVB and Volleyball World officials, including Azevedo, VW CEO Ugo Valensi, and Ramon Suzara, who not only is the head of both the Philippine National Volleyball Federation and the Asian Volleyball Confederation, but also is a FIVB Executive Vice President. 

Also present for the presentation are all five of FIVB's continental confederation presidents, as well as the 24-member FIVB Board of Administration, and PNVF Secretary-General Don Caringal. 

Gregorio says about this new partnership, "This long-term partnership with FIVB and Volleyball World—a transformative empowerment program for our athletes first, and a bold push for sports tourism toward economic growth second—will not only allow our country to be at the heart of volleyball’s global growth; it will set a historic blueprint for Philippine sports development overall."

Building on the success of the Men's World Championship, the PSC sees a transformative opportunity in the world of Philippine volleyball, combining elite athlete development with sports tourism, with the latter being aligned to the national tourism agenda as it tries to attract fans worldwide to come visit the country.

The program also includes other aspects like sports education and infrastructure, broadcast production, global marketing integration, imapct studies, and ticket consultancy, with the aspiration of getting both its indoor and beach teams berths in the 2032 Olympics.

Suzara adds, "We are determined to carry forward the momentum of the World Championship 2025 and channel it into something lasting for our athletes, our fans and our nation. It is also an honor to see the sport that I love contribute meaningfully to my nation’s sports and tourism agenda."

From VW's perspective, Valensi says, "Building on the success of the Men’s World Championship here in 2025, we know the Philippines offers the perfect stage to inspire the next generation and connect communities across the country and the region."

Azevedo adds, "This is a landmark program and our boldest one yet, but we are absolutely committed, because we believe in the potential of the Philippines, and we could not ask for a better partner in our mission to transform the world through sport. Let us create history together for volleyball in Asia."

To prepare for the hosting, Gregorio shares, "We will form a consortium with private sectors and organizations to lead and sustain this project, to create even more opportunities for our athletes and fans to be part of something truly special." He also stresses that this move will not just be a government-led initiative.

He concludes, "We will pursue this passionately, with much gratitude to the FIVB, Volleyball World and the entire Global Volleyball Movement for their friendship and support."

Aside from the World Championships, it is expected that the Philippines will serve as a future host for legs in both the Volleyball National League and the Beach Volleyball Pro Tour, and likely hosting the 2023 AVC Continental Championships that would serve as the Qualifier for the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.