FIVB president Fabio Azevedo and Brazilian superstar Leila Barros jointly announced on Sunday that the Philippines will host the 2029 FIVB Women’s World Championship.
“Thank you very much for your warm welcome. Thank you for hosting the best World Championship ever,” Azevedo told the huge crowd awaiting the gold medal match between Italy and Bulgaria at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“But now, when you’re thinking that we’ve reached the end, we have an amazing surprise… Philippines, are you ready?” Azevedo added.
Barros, the darling of Filipino fans when she played here 25 years ago, then followed suit and, speaking in Portuguese, declared: “Congratulations, Philippines! You are hosting the 2029 FIVB Women’s World Championship! Mahal ko kayo!”
A deafening applause erupted as the arena began to fill up for the much-anticipated final.
The historic hosting is the centerpiece of a seven-year volleyball development program unveiled by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio, aimed at positioning the country as a rising global hub for the sport.
“Hosting the Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2029 in the Philippines is an opportunity to once again showcase not only the very best of volleyball but also the positive impact our sport has on society,’’ said Azevedo.
The 2029 Women’s World Championship will serve as the crown jewel among 20 international tournaments the FIVB has lined up in the Philippines from 2026 to 2032, culminating in the Brisbane Olympic Games.
“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 also set a historic blueprint for Philippine sports development overall,’’ Gregorio explained.
Gregorio presented the ambitious roadmap before FIVB and Volleyball World officials, led by Azevedo, Volleyball World CEO Ugo Valensi, and FIVB Executive Vice President and Asian Volleyball Confederation President Ramon Suzara.
“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 country’s sports and tourism agenda,’’ said Suzara, who also serves as president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation.
“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,’’ Valensi added.
Also present during Gregorio’s presentation were the five continental confederation presidents of volleyball’s world governing body, the 24-member FIVB Board of Administration, and PNVF secretary general Don Caringal.
“We will form a consortium with private sectors and organizations to lead and sustain this project, creating even more opportunities for our athletes and fans to be part of something truly special,’’ Gregorio emphasized, stressing that it will not be a purely government-led initiative.
Among the high-profile meets included in the roadmap are a series of Volleyball Nations League tournaments, Beach Volleyball Pro Tours, and the 2030 AVC Continental Championships, which will serve as the qualifier for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
“This is a landmark program and our boldest one yet, but we are absolutely committed—because we believe in the potential of the Philippines. 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,’’ Azevedo said.
Fresh off the resounding success of the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship, where Alas Pilipinas made its historic debut, the PSC is now leveraging that momentum to fuel a long-term transformation.
Gregorio explained that the strategy combines elite athlete development with a robust sports tourism campaign, aligning with the national tourism agenda and attracting fans from Japan, the USA, Southeast Asia, and Europe.
Also included in the seven-year program are sports education and infrastructure development, broadcast production, global marketing integration, impact studies, and ticketing consultancy.
“We will pursue this passionately, with much gratitude to the FIVB, Volleyball World, and the entire global volleyball movement for their friendship and support,'' Gregorio said.
He added that the program sets a clear trajectory toward Brisbane 2032, with a strong focus on strengthening the Philippine men’s and women’s indoor and beach volleyball teams.
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