FILE– Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in the Philippines. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) is tapping Cebu as the next host of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) women’s division in 2026 and 2027, with the soon-to-rise SM Seaside Arena set to be the venue.
PNVF and Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) president Tats Suzara announced the development during the opening of the inaugural Champions League on Tuesday.
READ: VNL hosting just the start as PNVF has plans for ‘bigger event’
“The VNL will come back to [the Philippines], but not in Manila. In 2026-27, the VNL will be in Cebu and it will be women’s. We will rest from the men’s VNL first because we will host the men’s world championship this year,” said Suzara in a press conference with Sports Vision and PNVF vice president Ricky Palou, PNVF secretary general Don Caringal, and AVC secretary general Hugh Graham.
“As agreed with SM, with Hans Sy, we are bringing the VNL to Cebu. This is a big step for us. They are building a new arena there, and you know how passionate the Cebu fans are — they’re very hungry for volleyball. Also, that’s my home province. I’m a Cebuano,” he added.
Cebu’s hosting will mark the second and third time the Philippines stages the VNL Women’s tournament, following the country’s historic hosting in 2022 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ: Historic FIVB world hosting get full backing from different sides
The PNVF has been bringing the VNL Men’s action for the past three years since 2022.
The 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship will be staged at Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum from September 12 to 28.
This year, AVC will also host six other FIVB world championships, including:
- Women’s Volleyball World Championship in Thailand
- Women’s U21 Championship in Surabaya, Indonesia
- Men’s U21 Championship in China
- Boys’ U19 Championship in Uzbekistan
- Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide, Australia
“That’s seven world championship in Asia this year. So how busy is Asia. Asia I think are the best organizers in the world. I’ve been to many countries as technical delegate before and walang tatalo sa Asia, walang tatalo sa Philippines,” said Suzara.
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“Here in the airport, you get a lei, you are welcome. When we travel as technical delegates no one meets us in the airport, [we] just take a bus so our hospitality I think is one of the best in the world.”
