The Philippine Sports Commission have announced that they are now in talks with the Women’s Tennis Association to host the WTA 125 Philippines Open come early 2026.
More than just Hosting, It’s a Sign of “Worldclass Talent”
The Philippines is no stranger to hosting any big sporting event.
There’s the 2013 & 2023 FIBA World Cup, 2019 Southeast Asian Games and 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship just to name a few.
And now, based on what the PSC have posted last October 1, they are now aiming to welcome the tennis fans in how great of a host and the quality of talents they have in this country.
Ground Breaking Historical Tennis Hosting
According to PSC, if the plan gets green lighted, it would be the first major tennis hosting the Philippines would shoulder.
The main target venue? The historical Rizal Memorial Tennis Courts. The home of which not only to the PSC themselves, but also for the PBA and NCAA as well.
The suggested tournament event spans from January 26 to February 1, 2026.
The idea of such hosting was first suggested and brought up by Navotas Mayor and Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) Secretary-General John Rey Tiangco and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio.
According to Mayor Tiangco, he envisions adding another venue located at the New Clark City in the province of Tarlac called “The Philippine Tennis Center”.
“Our partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission paves the way for a new chapter in Philippine tennis. From pursuing the hosting of the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open and ITF J30 to exploring the opening of Rizal Memorial courts to the public and building the Philippine Tennis Center in New Clark City, we are bringing world-class opportunities closer to home. Tennis transforms lives, and with PSC’s support, we are determined to help Filipinos rise and shine on the world stage.”
Chairman Gregorio added, “This is more than a tournament. This is about giving our athletes the chance to test themselves against the world’s best, inspiring the next generation, and placing the Philippines firmly on the global tennis map. The greatest champions began their journeys on public courts. By opening access and investing in world-class events, we are giving Filipinos the same chance to dream big and achieve greatness.”
In addition to the WTA talks, the Philippines is already confirmed to host the International Tennis Federation (ITF) J30 Tournament from late November to December 7, 2025, welcoming rising juniors aged 13 to 18 from across Asia and beyond.
With PHILTA, the PSC, and local leaders working together, Philippine tennis is on the verge of a breakthrough moment.
These initiatives, once finalized, could spark a new era for the sport which blends grassroots growth, international hosting, and sports tourism.
A Home Coming for Alex Eala
What could be the best addition to this event if it gets approved? Having the Philippines’ very own tennis legend, Alex Eala plays on her home soil.
The 20 year old tennis wondergirl first erupted in the Philippine Sports world during her 2025 Miami Open “Cinderella Run”.
After that, fans saw her 1st WTA Finals at the grasscourts of Eastbourne Open, seeing her first win in the US Open, which btw wasn’t done by any Filipino athlete ever. And to winning her 1st ever WTA Championship at Guadalajara Open in Mexico.
Now, Alex is competing at the WTA 125 Suzhou Open in China as she battles Viktorija Golubic in the quarterfinals.
Can the Philippines Stay Out of the Hosting Drama?
The 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship just ended last September 28 but there were more talks about the issues outside the court than the games itself.
More particularly, the ticket prices and the number of attendants.
The media accreditation of one Philippine Sports Media Outlet even got “revoked” because of outside issues.
So the question for the WTA 125 Philippines Open or the WTA 125 Manila Open is, can they stay out of the “Off Court Issues?”
Fans should also be aware that there should be at least 3 “world-class courts” that meet WTA standards.
And with only the Rizal Memorial stadium offered, can the “structure” of the vintage venue suffice to the standards set by the WTA?
Also, can the Philippine Tennis Center being built at Tarlac City be finished on time for the event? And what’s the third tennis court to be played? There’s no hinted idea yet.
Can the ticket prices be “affordable” to the public? Will the other games which won’t feature Eala have fans watching them?
Considering that the majority only support tennis because Alex Eala is a Filipina. It will be a challenge on how to advertise the other athletes in this sport for fans to care about them.
According to Asian Journal for “the bid to move forward, organizers must secure funding, sponsorships, and broadcast coverage while ensuring venues meet WTA standards.”
Reality is, despite how exciting and beautiful this tennis hosting offered by the Philippines, there are a lot of concerns and issues that must be answered first and it won’t be a surprise if the time of planning won’t be enough.
