The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) could soon bring its biggest games to Cebu after Commissioner Willie Marcial revealed that the league is exploring the possibility of staging games—and potentially even the finals of the ongoing 2026 Governors’ Cup—at the newly inaugurated SM Seaside Cebu Arena.
Marcial made the revelation after attending the grand opening of the state-of-the-art facility, which is now regarded as the largest indoor arena in the Visayas. The venue, reportedly built at a cost of around PHP 7 billion, is expected to become one of the country’s premier destinations for major sporting events, concerts, and entertainment spectacles.
Located within the expansive SM Seaside City Cebu complex, the seven-story arena boasts a seating capacity of approximately 16,000 for sporting events, with the ability to accommodate up to 25,000 spectators depending on the event configuration. The venue also features modern amenities, spacious locker rooms, athlete support facilities, and a dedicated practice court, making it well-equipped to host high-profile basketball tournaments.
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Marcial admitted that he was impressed after touring the facility and said the league is seriously considering bringing PBA games to Cebu as early as the ongoing Governors’ Cup.
PBA GOVERNORS’ CUP FINALS SA CEBU? 🏀
Plano ng PBA na magsagawa ng mga laro — kabilang ang Finals series — sa bagong bukas na SM Seaside Cebu Arena sa Queen City of the South.
May 16,000 sitting capacity at maximum na 25,000 ang seven-storey venue na Cebu Arena.
“Sobrang laki… pic.twitter.com/UCvDNBdbr3
— News5 (@News5PH) July 28, 2026
“Sobrang laki at sobrang ganda. Balak talaga natin maglaro dun. Tingnan natin kung kakayanin sa finals. Kung hindi naman, pwedeng next season na. Malaki yung dugout and locker area. At may practice court siya,” Marcial told reporters.
His comments have fueled excitement among basketball fans in Cebu, a province widely regarded as one of the country’s strongest basketball hotbeds. The PBA has long enjoyed passionate support whenever it stages out-of-town games in Cebu, and the opening of a world-class arena provides the league with an opportunity to bring marquee matchups to a larger audience outside Metro Manila.
Should scheduling and logistical requirements align, the Governors’ Cup Finals could become one of the first major sporting events to be held at the arena. If that proves unfeasible, Marcial indicated that the venue is expected to become part of the league’s regular rotation beginning with the next PBA conference.
The arena’s opening also aligns with the PBA’s continued efforts to expand its footprint across the country. In recent years, the league has increased the number of provincial games to reconnect with fans outside the capital while showcasing Philippine basketball in modern venues capable of hosting large crowds.
Beyond the PBA, the SM Seaside Cebu Arena is already set to play a major role in the country’s sporting calendar. The facility has been selected as one of the host venues for the 2027 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, which the Philippines will stage in July next year. Hosting the continental tournament is expected to further strengthen the country’s reputation as a destination for international basketball events.
The arena is also expected to become a major entertainment hub, with several internationally acclaimed artists and performers already scheduled to hold concerts there later this year.
With its modern design, world-class facilities, and strategic location in the Queen City of the South, the SM Seaside Cebu Arena is poised to become a new home for Philippine sports. For the PBA, the venue offers an opportunity to bring the excitement of professional basketball closer to the passionate Cebuano fan base while elevating the league’s game-day experience in one of the country’s most vibrant basketball markets.
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