The Most Popular Sports in the Philippines
The Top 8 Sports in the Philippines
Sports are an integral part of the Philippine culture and tradition.
Filipinos enjoy various sports, from basketball and baseball to eSports.
Filipinos see sports as a way to promote discipline, hard work and teamwork.
Tunisia v Philippines boxscore - FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019
Numerous factors have influenced the people of the sports people play in the Philippines
This includes the country's colonial history, when Americans introduced sports as a form of physical fitness, leisure and entertainment.
Filipino sportspeople on the international stage have inspired youth to pursue careers in sports and achieve personal and national glory.
Filipinos have achieved great success in sports such as boxing and swimming, and the Philippines even has its own martial art, called Escrima or Kali.
But what are the most popular sports in the Philippines? In this article, find out about the sports that Filipinos love to play, watch and enjoy!
Basketball
Basketball is the most popular sport in the Philippines, and Filipino youth, particularly teenagers, love playing this sport.
Basketball's strategic, dynamic and enthusiastic nature makes it the most rewarding game for young Filipino players and spectators.
Over 40 million Filipinos play basketball, and about 81% of people residing in cities are basketball fans.
Around 50% of Filipinos are passionate and enthusiastic basketball fans.
Although the Philippines lacks resources for basketball compared to other countries, it has achieved success in the sport.
For instance, the Philippine national team has participated in several FIBA World Cup tournaments, and numerous players have played in international leagues.
While the Philippines have various professional leagues, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), established in 1975, is the oldest and most prominent league in the country and in Asia.
The PBA has 12 company-branded franchised basketball teams with qualified, experienced and talented players.
In addition to watching PBA on television, Filipinos are fans of the NBA, and the Philippines has the second-highest basketball viewership after the United States.
In fact, 8.4 million people watched the 2021 finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns.
Read more on our NBA blog
Boxing
Boxing is the second most popular sport in the Philippines.
Filipinos have an immense passion for playing and watching boxing matches.
The country has produced many famous boxers, including Donnie Nietes, Nonito Donaire and Manny Pacquiao, each with several big achievements in the ring.
These boxers have influenced young Filipinos to participate in boxing and bring pride and honour to their country.
Filipino boxing professionals have won 38 World Championships in various weight categories. The Philippines have also won 12 medals in the Olympics, including six medals in boxing.
The Filipino government and private sectors have invested in sports programmes and facilities to promote boxing and allow young boxers to train and compete in national and international competitions.
For instance, Palarong Pambansa is a national multi-sport event encouraging athletes to participate in various sports, including boxing.
The purpose is to provide a platform for the youth to showcase their boxing skills.
Football / Soccer
Although football is not as famous as basketball and boxing, it has still gained popularity in the country, especially among young people.
Several factors contribute to football's popularity in the Philippines.
These include the national team's success, exposure to national and international tournaments and leagues, and increased availability of training programmes and facilities throughout the country.
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF), established in 1907, is the governing body developing and promoting football nationwide.
FIFA and AFC have recognised the PFF for organising local, national and international competitions.
62% of Filipinos watched the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and 71% of people watched it on television and online streaming services.
Around 72.3% of people in the Philippines bet on FIFA World Cup matches. These stats show that football has gained popularity among Filipinos in recent years.
Read more articles on our football blog
Billiards/Pool/Snooker
Billiards and other table bar games like Pool are popular sports in the Philippines.
Numerous factors influence the popularity of these sports, such as accessibility, cultural significance and success of world-renowned players, including Francisco Django Bustamante and Efren Bata Reyes.
The country has also significantly contributed to the sport, hosting international tournaments like the World Pool Championships and the Southeast Asian Games.
This has led to the development of many billiard halls and training facilities, providing opportunities for amateur and professional players to hone their skills.
Filipino billiards players have earned great respect in the international community for their extraordinary skill, impeccable technique and admirable sportsmanship.
Moreover, achievements in global competitions have propelled the Philippines to a prominent position in billiards.
Badminton
Badiminton's accessibility, low cost and health benefits have made it a popular sport in the Philippines. Filipinos of all ages and skill levels play badminton throughout the country.
Filipinos love badminton because they can play it indoors and outdoors.
In addition, the government has made substantial efforts to build training facilities and courts for young players to train and practice their skills.
10.3% of people in the Philippines play badminton regularly to improve their health and spend quality time with friends.
The country's top badminton players, such as Peter Gabriel Magnaye and Kennevic Asuncion, have represented the Philippines in international competitions.
These players have inspired a new generation of badminton enthusiasts.
Baseball
Filipinos have been playing baseball for more than 100 years.
Americans arrived in the Philippines in 1898 and introduced various sports, including baseball. However, this is not the only reason that baseball is popular in the Philippines.
The Philippine Amateur Baseball Association (PABA), established in 1954, has actively promoted the sport through youth programmes.
This helped to develop young players, fostering passion and enthusiasm for the game.
Likewise, baseball is a family-oriented sport in the Philippines, with parents and children often playing or attending games.
So, a sense of community and togetherness is a critical factor that makes baseball a popular and relevant sport across the country.
Filipino baseball teams have been performing well in competitions. The Filipino baseball team is a strong contender in the ASEAN region, with an intense rivalry against Thailand and Indonesia.
The Philippines established a professional league called Baseball Philippines in 2007 to promote the sport and allow players to develop their skills.
However, the league was unsuccessful and lasted only five years.
Despite this setback, Filipinos love participating in and watching baseball in stadiums and on sports channels.
The Philippines National baseball team has won the following championships:
Asian Championship (1954)
Southeast Asian Games (2005)
Southeast Asian Games (2011 and 2019)
Asian Baseball Cup
East Asian Baseball Cup
We have lots of amazing baseball content on our dedicated MLB blog
Volleyball
Volleyball is one of the most popular sports in the Philippines.
It has become an integral component of the Philippines' sports culture. Americans introduced volleyball to the Filipinos during the Second World War.
In 1992, the Philippines officially adopted volleyball as an Olympic sport. Since then, the national volleyball team has made a name for itself in international competitions.
Moreover, the Philippines women's national volleyball team has made substantial achievements, including gold medals in the 1977, 1979, 1981, 1987 and 1993 Southeast Asian Games.
Filipinos have made outstanding contributions towards volleyball.
For example, they encouraged Americans to introduce and practice the "three-hit limit." It is an integral component of modern-day volleyball.
The most popular commercial volleyball leagues in the Philippines are:
Premier Volleyball League
Philippine Super Liga
Spikers' Turf
Tennis
Many people in the Philippines have been playing tennis for over 100 years.
The sport has gained popularity among Filipinos due to successful players like Francis Casey Alcantara and Treat Huey.
These professional tennis players have competed in several international tournaments.
In addition, the Philippine Tennis Association organises various competitions in the Philippines, allowing professionals and amateurs to compete and showcase their skills.
Tennis is a common sport played in schools and colleges.
The purpose is to encourage students to practice tennis and qualify for domestic and national tournaments.
Moreover, Filipinos play tennis throughout the country. 724 players from Manila participate in domestic and national level competitions.
Have you Had Experience of Playing or Watching Sport in the Philippines?
Sport is one of the primary ways that Filipinos get together and enjoy an important sense of community, with numerous opportunities to participate in sports.
This includes street-level games, organised leagues and international competitions across the country.
If you have watched or played sports in the Philippines and have an exeprience to share, feel free to share with us below!
