The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and Volleyball World, the governing body’s commercial entity, have announced that the Philippines will host the Men’s World Championship in 2025.
The event, which will feature 32 national teams, will take place from September 12 to 28. The host cities and venues have not yet been announced.
The FIVB said that the Philippines was selected as the successful bidder amid an “extremely competitive” field of potential hosts. The Philippines bid was chosen due to its emphasis on ensuring the continued growth of the event, as well as the country’s commitment to the development of volleyball globally.
The bid was led by the country’s government as part of a collaboration with the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF). Private stakeholders also played a part in the bid.
FIVB president Ary Graça said: “This prestigious event will not only inspire a new generation of athletes but will also help to encourage increased participation in sport at all levels in the country and wider region.
“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.”
Finn Taylor, chief executive of Volleyball World, added: “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 fan base, is well-positioned to deliver an exceptional championship that will showcase the best of the sport.”
The Philippines recently co-hosted the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup alongside Japan and Indonesia. The 55,000-capacity Philippine Arena near Manila was used during this event, along with the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The FIVB said that more updates on its 2025 World Championship in the Philippines will be announced in due course.
The most recent Men’s Volleyball World Championship was co-hosted by Poland and Slovenia in 2022. The event was originally due to take place in Russia but the country was stripped of hosting rights following its invasion of Ukraine.
