Bacolod City to host 2026 Batang Pinoy Championships with 15,000 young athletes
Bacolod City has secured a major sporting event after signing an agreement with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). The deal confirms the city as host for the 2026 Batang Pinoy National Championships, expected to draw 15,000 young athletes. Officials also highlighted plans to develop the area into a key sports destination. Mayor Greg Gasataya and PSC Chairman John Patrick Gregorio finalised the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on May 9 at the Bacolod City Government Center. The event will run from December 12 to 18, 2026, featuring competitors aged 8 to 15 from across the Philippines.
Bacolod’s sporting credentials were further boosted by its upcoming role as host for the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup Seaba Qualifiers in June 2026. The city is also currently staging the National Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) competition.
The PSC is now considering Bacolod as a potential regional training hub for archery and baseball. Officials cited the city’s strong local talent and past experience in hosting major events, including the Batang Pinoy Games in 1999, 2001, and 2014.
Gasataya expressed hope that Bacolod’s support for athletes could help produce the country’s next Olympian. Gregorio, meanwhile, praised the city’s growing reputation in sports tourism and its emergence as a key destination for national and international competitions. The agreement solidifies Bacolod City’s role in Philippine sports, with two major tournaments now on the horizon. The 2026 Batang Pinoy Championships will bring together thousands of young athletes, while plans for a regional training hub could further strengthen local talent development. Officials have also signalled ambitions to expand the city’s influence in both grassroots and elite sports.
