Volleyball`s premier women`s tournament is poised to return to the heart of Asia.
The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and Volleyball World have officially designated the Philippines as the host nation for the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2029. This significant announcement was made by FIVB President Fabio Azevedo and legendary volleyball player Leila Barros during the final moments of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025, which was also successfully hosted by the Philippines.
This will be a historic occasion, marking the first time the Women’s World Championship is held in the Philippines, a nation renowned for its profound enthusiasm for volleyball. The country`s exceptional organizational capabilities, warm hospitality, and the extraordinary passion of its fans were vividly showcased throughout the recently concluded Men’s World Championship 2025. The upcoming 2029 edition presents a remarkable opportunity to cultivate a lasting and impactful legacy for the sport and its followers across the Philippines and the broader Asian region.
Statements from Key Officials
FIVB President Fabio Azevedo highlighted the broader impact of the event:
“Hosting the Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2029 in the Philippines is an opportunity to once again demonstrate not only the highest caliber of volleyball but also the positive influence our sport has on society. Volleyball is uniquely accessible, inclusive, and possesses the power to unite people from all walks of life. This has been profoundly experienced here in the Philippines during the Men’s World Championship 2025, and we have no doubt that the 2029 edition will deliver a similar impact. Together, we are taking another stride towards our goal of expanding the Global Volleyball Movement from over 800 million to 1.6 billion people, thereby ensuring an even brighter future for volleyball worldwide.”
Volleyball World CEO Ugo Valensi further emphasized fan engagement:
“The 2029 Women’s World Championships in the Philippines will be a genuine celebration of everything that makes volleyball truly special. Our paramount objective is to bring fans closer to the action—whether they are present in the arena or following through our broadcast and digital platforms. Building upon the resounding success of the Men’s World Championship here in 2025, we are confident that the Philippines provides the perfect stage to inspire the next generation and strengthen communities across the country and the region. These Championships are a chance to affirm that volleyball belongs to everyone, everywhere, and we eagerly anticipate delivering unforgettable experiences for fans globally.”
FIVB Executive Vice President and Asian Volleyball Confederation President Ramon Suzara expressed immense pride in the selection:
“We are incredibly proud to have been chosen to host another FIVB World Championship. We have gained invaluable insights from organizing the Men’s World Championship in 2025, and we are absolutely committed to making the Women’s World Championship in 2029 even more spectacular. We are determined to carry forward the momentum generated by the 2025 Championship and channel it into something enduring for our athletes, our fans, and our nation. It is also a tremendous honor to witness the sport I cherish contribute significantly to my nation’s sports and tourism agenda. The 2025 Championship has clearly demonstrated 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 magnificent Championship.”
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick “Pató” Gregorio underscored the national benefits:
“To host the Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2029 is a wonderful gift for volleyball-loving Filipinos across the entire nation. This long-term collaboration with the FIVB and Volleyball World represents a transformative empowerment program for our athletes first, and a bold push for sports tourism driving economic growth second. It will not only position our country at the epicenter of global volleyball development but will also establish a historic blueprint for overall Philippine sports development. We plan to forge a consortium with private sectors and organizations to lead and sustain this project, thereby creating even more opportunities for our athletes and fans to be part of something truly extraordinary. We will pursue this endeavor passionately, with profound gratitude to the FIVB, Volleyball World, and the entire Global Volleyball Movement for their friendship and unwavering support.”
Future World Championships Overview
This latest announcement follows recent news regarding other major tournaments. The Women’s 2027 edition of the Championship is slated to be co-hosted by the USA and Canada, while Qatar has been awarded the hosting rights for the Men’s 2029 competition.
The FIVB Men’s and Women’s Volleyball World Championships stand as the most prestigious international competitions in the sport. Each tournament features 32 of the world’s elite teams, who compete in a total of 64 matches over a span of 17 days. In 2023, the competition schedule was adjusted to a biennial format, with the inaugural events under this new structure taking place this year in Thailand (for women) and the Philippines (for men).
Oliver Wrenwick