The Philippines are praised because it “has the most beautiful volleyball stadium in the world” – ryan
SM Mall of Asia Arena – Image: FIVB
On the evening of September 13, the 2025 Men’s Volleyball World Championships in the SM Mall of Asia Arena, with the opening match between the host Philippines and Tunisia.
Despite the defeat of 0-3 against the host Philippines, fans of volleyball expressed their great happiness with the dazzling pictures that they saw in the Mall of Asia Arena. This hall is considered one of the latest inner stadiums in the world today.
Asia Arena is located in the city of Basay, Manila, the Philippines. This stadium can accommodate 20,000 spectators on average, and can be increased to 25,000 spectators.
Asia Arena Mall Arena before the match – Image: VLT
The “Asia Arena” construction was completed in 2012, and soon attracted the attention of the elite sport world. The total cost of building this hall was $ 63 million.
With regard to volleyball, the Asia Arena Mall Arena is also one of the world’s largest stadiums. The three countries that hosted the previous world championships, Poland/Slovenia, Italy/Bulgaria, and Poland did not have a stadium that matches the Asian Arena Mall Stadium.
In 2006, Japan used the main stadium, Saitama Super Arena, which had the same most modern stadium capacity in the Philippines.
In the World Cup this year, the Philippines will use two stadiums. Besides the Mall of Asia, the other stadium is Aranetta Coliusium, which also accommodates 14,000 seats.
This stadium was built in Kizon (which is also part of Manila) more than 60 years ago and underwent three renovations, the last of which was in 2023.
The opening match between the Philippines (Blue Shirt) and Tunisia – Image: The International Volleyball Federation
Although it is not in the luxury of the Mall of Asia Arena, it is a stadium with a long history in hosting major events such as the basketball World Cup and boxing matches for the legendary boxer Bakiao …
Many fans, as well as volleyball experts, praised the two giant internal stadiums in the Philippines.
“What is happening in the Philippines meets our expectations completely. The stadium is great and modern, but it is still a sense of rapprochement, excitement and passion,” said Zdislav Barak, a member of the Executive Council of the International Volleyball Federation.
A very wonderful view of the Aranetta Colicia Stadium – Image: The International Volleyball Federation
“Before hosting the World Championship, the Philippines organized the Vietnam National Volleyball Championship here in an excellent way, although it is not allowed to participate in this stadium. They deserve an excellent evaluation.”
In volleyball forums, many East Asian and Asia fans also expressed their admiration for the giant volleyball players in the Philippines.
“I am really surprised, I have seen many stadiums in China, Japan and Western countries via VNL. But the Philippine Stadium is really the most beautiful in the world,” one of the fans commented on Volleytrails.