The Batang Pinoy, the Philippines’ premier grassroots sports competition for young athletes aged 8 to 15, is set to make a return to Bacolod City this December 12 to 18, marking another major gathering of emerging sporting talent from across the country.
Established as a national annual multi-sport event designed to identify and develop future Filipino athletes, Batang Pinoy continues to serve as a key platform for youth development in Philippine sports. The competition first began in Bacolod in 1999, and more than two decades later, the City of Smiles will once again host thousands of participants for what is expected to be one of the largest editions to date.
Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya expressed full support for the upcoming staging of the event, highlighting the city’s readiness in terms of logistics, accommodation, and overall preparation.
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“We thank the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for allowing us to host this year. Bacolod is prepared,” Gasataya said during a recent Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.
According to city officials, Bacolod is equipped with more than 4,000 hotel rooms to accommodate delegations, athletes, coaches, and officials. The event is expected to draw approximately 18,000 young athletes from 188 Local Government Units (LGUs), along with over 1,000 technical officials and delegation staff, making it one of the most attended youth sporting events in the country.
Batang Pinoy National Championships 2026 itinakda sa Disyembre sa Bacolod City
By Gab Ferreras
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Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio expressed confidence in Bacolod’s capability to host a large-scale sporting event of this magnitude. He also emphasized the importance of focusing Batang Pinoy on its core age group, reaffirming that the competition is intended for athletes aged 8 to 15 years old.
Gregorio noted that athletes aged 16 and above will now be directed to compete in the Palarong Pambansa, ensuring clearer developmental pathways for young Filipino athletes as they progress through the national sports system.
“What are the criteria to host? The important thing is that if the mayor is involved, and there is commitment, it will definitely happen. In Batang Pinoy, the athletes aged eight years old, they are the superstars,” Gregorio added.
Meanwhile, Batang Pinoy project director and Philippine bowling legend Bong Coo confirmed that the 2026 edition of the games will see an expansion of its sporting program, with the number of disciplines increasing from 27 to 30. The additional sports include gold, skateboarding, and bowling, further broadening opportunities for young athletes across various disciplines.
Coo emphasized that the expansion is part of ongoing efforts to modernize the competition and align it with emerging sports trends, particularly those gaining popularity among the youth.
“We are hoping for a prosperous and successful Batang Pinoy in December,” Coo said, expressing optimism for a smooth and highly successful staging of the event.
With heightened participation, expanded sports offerings, and strong backing from both national and local stakeholders, Batang Pinoy 2026 is expected to reinforce its role as a cornerstone of grassroots sports development in the Philippines.
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