Cover 2025 International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Men’s World Championship at the SM Mall of Asia Arena (Photo: courtesy of FIVB)
2025 International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Men’s World Championship at the SM Mall of Asia Arena (Photo: courtesy of FIVB)
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Volleyball has soared in popularity within Asia, culminating in 2025 International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) tournaments held in the Philippines and Thailand
Volleyball is a favourite sport in the Philippines, whatever the level: from friendly matches on makeshift courts and collegiate arenas to the highest echelons of competition. But it’s not just the players: passionate fans flock to stadiums or watch games over each other’s shoulders to catch a glimpse of an intense rally. This year, its attraction has grown all the more in Southeast Asia. The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) held its Men’s World Championship in the Philippines and its Women’s World Championship in Thailand. In 2029, it will return to hold the women’s championship in the Philippines.
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Above Caran Dang’s mural showcases the sport’s most iconic names (Photo: courtesy of FIVB)
Caran Dang’s mural showcases the sport’s most iconic names (Photo: courtesy of FIVB)
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“It’s an incredibly exciting time for our sport,” FIVB President Fabio Azevedo enthuses. “Volleyball has truly reached a defining moment, especially in Asia.”
Held between September 12 to 28, 2025, the FIVB Men’s World Championship was split between two venues: the SM Mall of Asia Arena and the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Over 200,000 people watched 32 teams compete at the highest level. The packed stadiums roared as team Philippines made a strong showing in their debut tournament, filling the hearts of fans with pride.
To commemorate the momentous event, the FIVB and FIVB Volleyball Foundation partnered with artist Maya Caran Dang to transform an outdoor court into a mural honouring some of the most iconic and greatest players to ever grace the sport.
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Above International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) President Fabio Azevedo (Photo: courtesy of FIVB)
International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) President Fabio Azevedo (Photo: courtesy of FIVB)
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The FIVB is building upon this momentum and the incredible influence of volleyball in the region. On numbers alone, a third of all users of its streaming service, VBTV, come from Asia, while 11 out of the 26 major volleyball events in 2025 were staged in the region. These numbers indicate potential, and from it, opportunity for growth. The organisation’s Volleyball Empowerment Programme has committed US$50 million into over 1,498 projects across 205 countries. The Philippines in particular is benefitting from a seven-year programme between the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine National Volleyball Federation with the FIVB to promote the sport through heightened grassroots development, tourism and play across the country. Meanwhile, over US$1 million has been invested into targeted coach support projects for both the men’s and women’s national teams.
“Guiding this growth is our FIVB Strategic Vision 2032,” Azevedo explains, “which aims to expand the Global Volleyball Movement from 800 million to 1.6 billion people. It is also about making volleyball more accessible, understandable and affordable everywhere.”
Above Alas Pilipinas captain Bryan Bagunas (Photo: courtesy of FIVB)
Alas Pilipinas captain Bryan Bagunas (Photo: courtesy of FIVB)
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The future of volleyball in Asia, especially in the Philippines, burns bright. Love of the game is kept alive by gutsy matches, passionate fans and overwhelming presence in pop culture. With further plans to bring even more support into the region, the stage is set for volleyball to become even more competitive, popular and enduring–inspiring hopeful athletes and fans alike.
“This is more than sport–it’s a movement. The Global Volleyball Movement,” Azevedo declares. “And as we move toward 2032 and beyond, we will continue to grow, ‘Together as One.’”
Follow FIVB on Instagram @FIVB and @volleyballworld. Visit fivb.com and volleyballworld.com.
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Tobias wants to write things that make people think, laugh, and reflect. He’s especially proud when he can sneak in a cheeky pop-culture reference or a pun in his titles and articles.
He possesses a deep love of history, resulting from years of books, games, and museum visits. It was this fascination with the human endeavour that fostered his love of writing, spanning genres, tones, and moods. He one day hopes to write a novel—he just hasn't decided on a genre yet. A certified homebody, you'll often find him on the computer he built himself, binge-watching Seinfeld or House, playing his favourite gacha game, or reading a book.
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Tobias is a features writer that specialises in branded content. Reach out to him at tobias.tomas@tatlerasia.com.
