Members of the UAAP Board and officials of Akari Lighting and Technology Corp. break ground for the "Home of the UAAP," October 24, 2025 in Pasig City. UAAP MediaMANILA – The 'Home of the UAAP' will be able to welcome more spectators once it becomes operational, after it increased its seating capacity.
Members of the UAAP Board and officials of Akari Lighting and Technology Corp. led the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday along E. Rodriguez Avenue in Pasig City.
The state-of-the-art arena will serve as a venue for the league's indoor sports for collegiate and high school like basketball, volleyball, and badminton.
Engr. Timothy Tan, Project Lead of Athletica Asia Land Corporation said they have increased the capacity from nearly 7,000 to more than 8,000.
"We've successfully increased seating in the upper ground or general admission area to accommodate even more spectators," he said.
READ: What to expect from ‘The Home of the UAAP’
Tan said they are still studying the suggestion to add standing room space.
"Safety is a very important feature as well. So in case you will be standing in the arena, there will be protective barriers. We also have to consider the discharge of the people in case of emergency," he explained.
During his speech, Tan thanked the UAAP for allowing their company "to build something to serve generations of student athletes and fans."
"As we break ground today, we are not just laying the foundation of the building. We are laying the foundation of something meaningful, a legacy. A place that will inspire future generations and a place that will bring people together through the unifying power of sports," Tan added.
Akari chief executive officer Christopher Tiu underscored the importance of the venue to grassroots sports development.
"In more than a couple of years' time this arena will serve as a breeding ground an incubation center for future athletes who will do their schools and their country proud. And this will be a venue where there skills will be developed and their dreams will be nurtured," he said.
UAAP Season 88 Chairman Fr. Richard Ang O.P. said the groundbreaking marks a historic milestone and ushers a new era for the league.
"With the UAAP Home, we take the next bold step forward. More than just a sports venue, it will be a true home, a space of belonging, growth and shared legacy. A place where champions will be nurtured," he said.
GIFT TO STUDENT-ATHLETES, FANS
Several former UAAP athletes are glad the league will have a permanent home soon.
"I'm very excited, more specifically for the next generation of volleyball players because this is a big thing for them. I'm glad to see a lot of people contributing to the development for the sport," former DLSU Lady Spiker Fifi Sharma said.
"This is something I wish na naabutan ko siguro nung naglalaro ako. But I'm very happy for the next generation of athletes who will experience this," she added.
Her former teammate, Michelle Cobb said this is a "very special" moment for student-athletes and fans alike.
"This is so big because us players we've been waiting for something na focused lang sa UAAP. Kasi you know how now we hop through every arena, sports center. So parang having this specifically dedicated to the UAAP it's nice to see," she said.
"Having this kind of arena na dedicated lang sa UAAP, parang magiging mas tight-knit yung community. The fans, alam natin malaki fanbase ng UAAP. So having this space for that specific association big deal siya," Cobb added.
The volleyball stars said having one venue is also beneficial for the student-athletes.
"Isa itong malaking bagay sa athletes kasi ngayon iba-iba yung venues? Mas okay ito na isa lang para mas alam nila kung ano yung feel nung arena. Kasi iba-iba yung facilities ng gyms, ng arenas," Former UST Golden Tigresses player EJ Cariño said.
"It's gonna be very convenient for the players, especially it's gonna save a lot of energy for them also. Yung familiarity with the venue, hindi na paiba-iba. I'm excited to see how they will react to this," Sharma added.
MORE THAN JUST AN ARENA
Members of the UAAP Board and officials of Akari Lighting and Technology Corp. break ground for the "Home of the UAAP," October 24, 2025 in Pasig City. UAAP MediaDevelopers said the 'Home of the UAAP' will be more than just an arena for sports, it aims to build a complex for entertainment and public gatherings all year-round.
"We also want to introduce several sports amenities within the entire space by having training courts within the complex as well. We provide multiple retail shops as well to cater to food tenants and to cater all sports alike," Arch. Andrew Yu, director of Asya Design, said.
Aside from the UAAP, other leagues like the PBA, PVL and even rival NCAA can stage events in the venue.
"UAAP is our anchor tenant. But beyond collegiate sports, we are open to other events such as concerts, entertainment shows, school graduations and even corporate functions. Our goal for the complex is to build a true multi-purpose center," Tan said.
"We also have a sub-arena designed at the top level of our parking facility that can host simultaneous sports and community events as well," he added.
The 'Home of the UAAP' also aims to cater to various local and international events during the months that there are no league events.
One of the highlights of the arena's design is the lighting display and LED wall on the outside of the arena, which can display text, graphics on the infinity shape.
"Whenever a team, whenever a school, each college, whoever wins, their school will be featured basically, essentially outside the façade of the entire structure. Highlighting their university color in the day's event," Yu said.
The project can accommodate about 570 parking slots, including nine van sized parking slots for loading and unloading purposes.
Following the groundbreaking, construction is expected to begin late 2025.
"Finally the UAAP will have its own home after 80 plus years no? We are all hopeful that come Season 90 this will come into reality," Dr. Otie Camangian of National University and member of the UAAP Board of Managing Directors said.
"We are hopeful two years from now that National University will be the host school of Season 90. We hope that this facility will be realized so that the majority of the events will happen here," he added.
If there are no delays, the 'Home of the UAAP' is expected to be operational in time for UAAP Season 90.
There is no official name yet for the arena, with developers open to suggestions.
"We are open to suggestions. We want the entire community to be involved. We want to invite everyone to share whatever ideas they have. Feel free to interact with us because this arena is for everyone," Tan said.