The Philippines will set the stage for high-level volleyball action as it plays host to the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship.
The Philippines will be the mecca of volleyball in 2025.
The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) announced on Wednesday that the country has earned the hosting rights to the FIVB Men’s World Championship.
The prestigious tournament is scheduled to run from September 12 to 28 next year, setting the stage for high-level volleyball action with 32 world-class teams vying for global supremacy. The draw will be set exactly before the first serve on September 12 this year in Manila.
"Today, you will write history again! For the first time ever, the Philippines will host the prestigious FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in 2025!" FIVB president Ari Graça said in awarding the hosting rights to the Philippines at half past noon Wednesday at the FIVB castle fronting Lake Geneva.
"In an open bidding process, you have overcome many strong bidders to win this race," Graça said.
"We are confident that the Philippines, supported by our innovative Volleyball Empowerment programme, will host an extraordinary World Championship that will leave a lasting legacy and help to cultivate an even brighter future for our sport globally,” said FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça Filho.
"This decision underscores our dedication to expanding volleyball's global footprint and engaging with fans worldwide. The Philippines, with its proven track record of hosting major volleyball events and passionate fanbase, is well-positioned to deliver an exceptional championship that will showcase the best of the sport,” FIVB brass Volleyball World CEO Finn Taylor added.
First hosted by then Czechoslovakia in 1949, the FIVB MWCH—originally a quadrennial competition—has been to Asia only twice before in 1998 and 2006 both in Japan and was shared by two countries in 2018 (Italy and Bulgaria) and 2022 (Poland and Slovenia).
The 2025 edition will be the first to expand to 32 teams. One spot has been allocated to current titleholder Italy, while another has been awarded to the host Philippines.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), along with the tourism department and private stakeholders, secured the hosting gig a month after expressing desire to bring the global showpiece to the country.
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“Our successful bid to host the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship further reinforces our country's track record in staging world-class events. With the support and commitment of both our government, and the private sector, we can be certain that it will be a fantastic spectacle,” said Sen. Pia Cayetano.
The PNVF staged multiple of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), both the men's and women's edition in 2022 as well as another men's leg in 2023. The country is also set to host another leg of the men's VNL from June 18 to 23 this year.
“If there is one thing that we, Filipinos, can do well, it is to equally give every team the best conditions so that they can fully focus on the competition and the championship trophy; to make them feel at home right in our own home. For this, I am ready, our team is ready, the Philippines is ready to boldly face the challenge and to fulfil the dream, as we work collectively to serve volleyball,” said PNVF President Ramon Suzara.
Sen. Cayetano led a 14-member Philippine bid team captained by Suzara and supported by Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland Bernard Faustino La Madrid Dy with Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco sending a message of full support to the hosting which the Philippines won over 31 other countries.
"We are eager to showcase to the international volleyball community the many reasons to Love the Philippines: from our award-winning destinations, our mega biodiversity, our deep well of culture and heritage, the tapestry of traditions and talents across our islands, and the warmth and hospitality of the Filipino people. We reiterate the Department of Tourism’s full support and commitment to ensure the successful hosting of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s Championship in 2025," said Frasco in a statement.
Ambassador Dy expressed delight in witnessing the successful awarding to the Philippines the hosting chores for the championship.
"We are proud to be given this opportunity to share the Filipinos’ love for sports and to impart the spirit of unity, hospitality and camaraderie amongst Filipinos and athletes from all over the world," Dy said.
The Philippine bid team included PNVF Vice President Richard Palou, Secretary-General ?Jose Donaldo Caringal, Executive Director Marie Louise Principe and Branding Director Jacob Burke and Volleyball Nations League LOC Event Director Pauline Marie Ick and Deputy Event Director Maria Leonor Estampador, Special Assistant to Senator Alan Peter Cayetano Jennifer Anne Reyes, Special Assistant Monica Ann Mitra and Chief of Staff Maria Elizabeth Cheryl Reginaldo to Pia Cayetano, Business Mirror’s Lorenzo Lomibao Jr. and Cignal TV Inc.’s Michael Halili.