Proposed Philippine Basketball Association arena
| Location | To be announced |
|---|---|
| Type | Indoor arena |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | To be announced |
| Tenants | |
| Philippine Basketball Association | |
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has played its games across a variety of venues throughout its more than fifty-year long history, but the league has also sought to build an arena of its own. The idea was first brought up by Noli Eala during his tenure as commissioner and again by then-chairman Buddy Encarnado in 2010.
In the mid-2020s, the PBA began a greater push to have their own dedicated venue. In 2024, the league secured the rights to have an arena built at Metrowalk in Pasig. In 2026, it sought a partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission and the University of the Philippines for the PBA to build the facility in UP's Diliman campus in Quezon City. The capacity for the UP Diliman site will range between 8,000 to 10,000 spectators.
History
Background
In the Philippine Basketball Association, teams are represented by the companies that own them, which differs from most leagues where teams represent locations, thus there isn't a need for each team to have a "home venue" since there is no home-and-away format.[1] Although most games are played within Metro Manila, the venues themselves, particularly the Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia Arena, are still subject to availability due to other factors such as concerts.[2] The idea for the Philippine Basketball Association to build its own arena can be traced back to Noli Eala's time as commissioner in the 2000s. In 2010, the idea was brought up once more by then-chairman Buddy Encarnado. However, both proposals didn't get far before they were shelved during the COVID-19 pandemic.[3][4]
On July 23, 2024, during a planning session for the 2024–25 PBA season, at Swissôtel Nankai Osaka in Osaka, Japan, the league once again revived plans of building its own arena. Board chairman Ricky Vargas stated that the league had found a partner to build the proposed venue while commissioner Willie Marcial added that the arena will be located in Metro Manila and be two to three hectares in size. Marcial also stated that the arena has a "70 to 75 percent chance" of it pushing through. Atty. Ogie Narvasa would lead negotiations regarding the arena.[4][5]
Potential sites
Metrowalk site
On October 28, 2024, it was reported that Marcial began discussing with Chavit Singson, founder of LCS Holdings, for the potential site of the arena. LCS Holdings controls the Metrowalk commercial hub in Pasig at the site of the former Payanig sa Pasig amusement park.[6] On November 16, in an interview with Eala on his Power Play radio program, Singson stated that he has "agreed in principle" for the league to build the arena at Metrowalk.[7]
On April 11, 2025, during the league's 50th anniversary gala at Solaire Resort North. The league showed a video presentation for its plans for the coming year, during which San Miguel Beermen governor Robert Non stated that "hopefully, we would be able to hold a groundbreaking ceremony soon."[3]
UP Diliman campus
In February 2026, Joaquin Henson of The Philippine Star reported that the PBA was seeking to build the arena within the campus of University of the Philippines Diliman. The goal would be for the Philippine Sports Commission and the University of the Philippines to enter a partnership for a sports and training center, with the PBA joining as a facilitator, constructing the venue and enter a revenue-sharing agreement with UP. The arena's capacity at the UP Diliman site is expected to be between 8,000 and 10,000 and will also be where UP can conduct its own events.[8]
See also
References
- ^ "PBA games in small venues may be a bad look - but not exactly a bad thing". Spin.ph. March 13, 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ Henson, Joaquin M. (July 25, 2024). "New home for PBA". Philstar.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ a b Terrado, Reuben. "PBA targets groundbreaking of own arena in its 50th year". Spin.ph. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ a b Ramos, Gerry (July 23, 2024). "PBA in serious talks to build own stadium within Metro Manila". Spin.ph. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ Micaller, Bea (July 22, 2024). "PBA looking to build own arena". GMA News Online. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ Terrado, Reuben (October 28, 2024). "PBA in talks with Chavit Singson on building own arena in Pasig". Spin.ph. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ Terrado, Reuben (November 16, 2024). "Chavit Singson green-lights PBA arena in Metrowalk property". Spin.ph. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ Henson, Joaquin (February 11, 2026). "PBA eyes tie-up with PSC, UP". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 11, 2026.