A flurry of events is setting the stage for the FIVB Men’s World Championship Philippines 2025, as the country prepares to host the sport’s biggest spectacle this September.

The excitement kicked off with a high-profile visit from FIVB president Fabio Azevedo, followed by the celebration of World Volleyball Day, and will peak this week with the Southeast Asia Volleyball League (SEA V.League) opening on Wednesday in Candon City.

Azevedo, accompanied by Volleyball World Chief Business Officer Guido Betti, spent Thursday and Friday last week in Manila encouraging Filipino fans to be part of the once-in-a-lifetime global volleyball event, which runs from September 12 to 28. Matches will take place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the SM Mall of Asia Arena, featuring the top 32 volleyball nations in the world.

Momentum builds with events and partnerships

“We’re proud and privileged to be paid a visit by our FIVB president as the countdown to the world championship heats up,” said Ramon “Tats” Suzara, president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and the Asian Volleyball Confederation, who also serves as FIVB executive vice president.

During his visit, Azevedo met with PNVF chairman emeritus Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Pia Cayetano, and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio. He also toured the FIVB-standard Nuvali Sand Courts in Santa Rosa City, which the PNVF has proposed as a future Center for Excellence for Beach Volleyball.

Tickets for the FIVB Men’s World Championship are already on sale and available through the official website: philippineswch2025.com.

World Volleyball Day and SEA V.League set the tone

On Monday, the country celebrates World Volleyball Day under the theme “Spikes for the World”. The festivities will feature a Globe Lighting Ceremony at the SM Mall of Asia at 8 p.m., starring national volleyball ambassadors Alyssa Valdez, Eya Laure, and Bryan Bagunas.

Meanwhile, the SEA V.League opens on Wednesday, July 10, at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur. The 8,000-seat venue, courtesy of Mayor Eric Singson, will host powerhouse teams including Alas Pilipinas, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. This leg offers world ranking points and a $55,000 prize pool (P3.15 million), with action running until July 13.

“We’re going to be even busier in the next few weeks as we approach the homestretch toward our solo hosting of the world championship,” Suzara added.

As the Philippines gets ready to take center stage in global volleyball, each event—from ceremonial lightings to competitive tournaments—builds anticipation and national pride in what is set to be a historic hosting.