Alas Pilipinas Women are set for a breakthrough appearance as the Philippines hosts the 2029 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship. Volleyball Philippines/FacebookMANILA (UPDATED) – World class volleyball is once again headed to the Philippines -- this time in 2029.
This, as FIVB President Fabio Azevedo and Brazilian volleyball legend and senator Leila Barros announced on Sunday that the country has been awarded hosting rights to the 2029 FIVB Women's World Championship.
"The Women's Volleyball World Championships 2029 will be in the Philippines. Mahal ko kayo," Barros said.
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The announcement was made ahead of the gold medal match between Italy and Bulgaria at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
This marks another historic first for the Philippines, as it wraps up its hosting of the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship.
"What an unforgettable [Men's] World Championships we had together with you all. Thank you, thank you very much for your warm welcome. Thank you for hosting the best World Championships ever," Azevedo said.
This is the first time the Women's World Championship will be staged in the Philippines.
"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," Azevedo said in a statement.
FIVB Executive Vice President and Asian Volleyball Confederation President Ramon Suzara said they are glad to be selected as the host of the 2029 Women's World Championship.
"We are extremely proud to be selected to host another FIVB World Championship. We have learned many things in hosting the Men’s World Championship in 2025, and we will surely do even better for the Women’s World Championship in 2029," Suzara said.
"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," he added.
Suzara said the country hosting another major sporting event will help boost sports tourism in the country.
"The 2025 Championship has shown that the Philippines is ready to be a long-term home for world-class volleyball. I am confident that we will once again deliver a truly spectacular Championship," he said.
Alas Pilipinas battles against Egypt in the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship 2025 in Pasay City on September 16, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio likewise thanked the FIVB and Volleyball World for its "gift" to the Philippine volleyball community.
"To host the Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2029 is a great gift for volleyball-loving Filipinos across the nation, and this long-term partnership with the 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," he said.
Gregorio said they will form a consortium with the private sector and organizations to lead and sustain the project.
Members of Alas Pilipinas Women's team were in attendance for the announcement. They cheered upon hearing the country hosting the major sporting event.
Alas Pilipinas Women's team captain Jia de Guzman is looking forward to the country's hosting and competing for the Philippines on the world stage.
"We're so happy, as in. We couldn't believe it at first but biglang napunta kami sa, oh that's giving us a lot of time to prepare for it. Because with what the men's Alas team showed with sixteen months of preparation tapos ganyan kaganda pinakita nila, there's so many possibilities talaga," De Guzman said.
"We're just happy we're going to be given the opportunity to represent Philippine women's naman in this stage," she added.
Alas Pilipinas Women's co-captain Dawn Macandili-Catindig echoed the sentiment.
"Sobrang excited kami siyempre, going against the top teams in the world. So parang gusto rin namin malaman kung hanggan saan maaabot namin in four years," she said.
Alas Pilipinas Women's member Angel Canino is also looking forward to competing for the flag in the major sporting event.
"Sobrang happy ako para sa buong Pilipinas kasi ma-witness din po nila hindi lang men's and women's in the next four years," she said.