AS THE competition in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship continues to intensify, fan attendance hasn’t kept pace — likely due to one possible reason: out-of-reach ticket prices.
Amid the ongoing Senate inquiries and proceedings into the questionable flood control projects, Sen. Erwin Tulfo took some time to point out that the tickets for the World Championships seem far too expensive for ordinary fans.
Ticket prices reach up to P15,000 each, making the global event inaccessible to regular sports enthusiasts. As a result, the arena remains nearly empty and lacks energy, even as the competition heats up.
That’s Too Much
In a privilege speech, Sen. Tulfo urged the Senate to probe the organization of the tournament, which showcases 32 of the world’s top volleyball teams and cost the country a massive P2 billion to host.
With prices proving unaffordable, the Philippine National Volleyball Association (PNVF) had to slash ticket prices by 50% and offer far-off seats for free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tulfo lamented that the steep prices alienated the public, instead of inviting them to enjoy a world-class sporting event held right in the Philippines.
“P15,000 para makapanood lang po ng volleyball. Sino naman po ang bibili ng ganyan kamahal na ticket?” Tulfo laid his question during his speech.
“Syempre, hindi po ang ordinaryong estudyante. Hindi rin po ‘yung mga mahilig sa volleyball sa probinsya o mga batang nangangarap na maging volleyball players.”
“Instead of bringing volleyball closer to the people, we are driving them away. Instead of inspiring the youth, we are telling them that ‘sports is only for the rich,’” he went on to say.
Too Late a Hero
Meanwhile, PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suarez, in an interview with Spin.ph, took the opportunity to justify the steep ticket prices, stating that it’s impossible to satisfy everyone.
“We can’t make everybody happy. Siyempre, they have to buy tickets, sasabihin mataas ang ticket pero our tickets have never changed, it’s the same ticket prices in the VNL,” Suzara said.
However, Suzara’s explanation didn’t sit well with the senator. Tulfo erupted during his privilege speech, even labeling the PNVF president’s actions as “arrogant.”
“This is arrogance of the highest order. Public trust, public responsibility and sports development are not about pleasing everybody. They are about fairness, integrity and inclusivity,” Tulfo said.
“Why are Filipino fans being priced out of this international event held in their home soil? Why does the leadership of PNVF dismiss this legitimate concern so lightly as if the Filipino people don’t matter?”
“This is not just about volleyball. This is about governance, accountability and the message we send to our people. Kung dito po sa larangan ng sports, lantaran na ang kapabayaan at kawalang-malasakit, what more in other bigger arenas,” he added.
While Tulfo acknowledges the effort in the last-minute ticket sales for students and Filipino volleyball fans, he believes the federation’s move to cut prices has come too late.
“Binabaan nila [‘yung ticket prices] kasi nilalangaw na po. Sayang. Wala na pong nanonood. We sponsored that tournament. We paid so much money for this tournament tapos wala pong return,” Tulfo said.
