The Philippine Arena would be a key FIBA Basketball World Cup venue and set a lively stage to showcase basketball to audiences around the world
Philippines 2019, the country’s bid to host to FIBA Basketball World Cup, is celebrating the one year anniversary marking the opening of the Philippine Arena, the largest indoor arena in the world. The venue is one of a number of proposed Philippine venues for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup and has already built a reputation for staging sold out matches that create electric atmospheres.
The Philippine Arena has a capacity of 55,000, a world record for an indoor arena, and was opened in July 2014. It is situated 24km north of Manila in the Bulacan province and lies in the heart of Ciudad de Victoria, a 140-hectare modern tourism enterprise zone. A mark of the Philippines’ ability to deliver major projects, the Arena was designed by global design consultancy Populous, who consulted on many globally renowned stadia including the London 2012 Olympic Stadium and the Yankee Stadium in New York.
Since the completion of the Philippine Arena, the public and private sector have both made a number of significant investments and commitments in the development of best-in-class infrastructure assets. The development of modern sporting arenas and key infrastructure in the Philippines, supported by a strong and stable national economy, provides a strong foundation to host a successful 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup and will contribute to the delivery of an exceptional experience for basketball fans.
Manuel V. Pangilinan, President of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (Basketball Federation of the Philippines), said:
"Our bid offers world class venues but a great deal more. The Philippine Arena provides a glimpse of the stunning stage we would create to showcase basketball to the world. The love for basketball throughout the country and passion of the fans would help elevate the tournament to new heights and create a global event that transcends sport.
"A FIBA Basketball World Cup in the Philippines would capture the hearts of the whole nation, inspiring the energy and enthusiasm of the fans that would be seen, heard and spread across the world."
At the heart of the country’s vision to host the tournament is the enduring passion of the Philippines’ vast and diverse basketball fan base and the magical atmosphere they will create within the stadia, fan festivals and throughout the country during the tournament. Alongside sold out matches and producing a magnificent spectacle for broadcasters, this setting would create an inspirational and engaging image of basketball that will be seen throughout the world and help stimulate the growth of sport globally.
The passion for basketball in the Philippines, where it is the number one sport, has been a key factor in the success of the Philippine Arena. Earlier this year, a record crowd of 52,612 fans were in attendance at the Arena to cheer on their teams at the opening game of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) season.
With approximately 70% of ‘avid’ basketball fans and even half of ‘casual’ fans in the Philippines regularly attend basketball games and events of all levels[1], the bid confidently predicts all FIBA Basketball World Cup games – including those held in the Philippine Area - would enjoy full attendance and create a uniquely energetic and fun atmosphere.
The Philippines is strongly placed to deliver an outstanding fan experience, particularly with the country having been recently honoured with the Most Valuable Fan Best Country Award at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. There is almost unanimous support (96%) for hosting the 2019 FIBA Basketball Wold Cup itself, highlighting the strong local support which will be essential to delivering a successful event.
By uniting the FIBA Basketball World Cup with the passionate enthusiasm for basketball in the Philippines and its status as one of the top two countries in the world for social media use, the bid believes it would help create a global media event that surpasses sport and has a truly global impact.
The host nation for the tournament will be announced by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) on 7th August 2015 in Tokyo.
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