‘This is exclusion’: Senators call out FIVB Worlds ticket prices

Senators Erwin Tulfo and Risa Hontiveros blasted the country’s volleyball officials for high ticket prices and gambling advertisements in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships during a Senate plenary session on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

The World Championships started last Sept. 12, and since Alas Pilipinas Men bounced out of the tournament following their loss against Iran last Friday, attendance has gone down.

Tulfo said that Filipinos were being “excluded” from watching the tournament, especially students and people from the provinces who seek to watch the world’s best in volleyball.

“P15,000 para makapanood lang po ng volleyball. Sino naman po ang makabibili ng ganyan ka-mahal na ticket? Hindi po ang ordinaryong estudyante. Hindi rin po ‘yung mga mahilig sa volleyball sa probinsiya, o mga batang nangangarap na maging volleyball players,” Tulfo said during his privilege speech.

“This is not inclusion, Mr. President, this is exclusion,” he added. “Instead of bringing volleyball closer to the people, we are driving them away. Instead of inspiring the youth, we are telling them ‘sports is only for the rich.'”

Ticket prices have also been slashed by 30% in response to criticism online regarding high ticket prices. Seats before the discount were priced from P500 to P15,000.

‘NILALANGAW NA PO’ 🇵🇭

Senators Erwin Tulfo and Risa Hontiveros pointed out how the late ticket price drops in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship came as a result of the tournament’s notably low attendance numbers.

“Binabaan nila [‘yung ticket prices] kasi… pic.twitter.com/UM9d1aZFGT

— John Mark Garcia (@johnmarkdg_) September 23, 2025

Tulfo said the discount was only made because of the declining attendance records, and added that the 30% discount was not enough when compared to international ticket prices and the purchasing power of Filipinos.

Binabaan na po daw ‘yung [presyo] ng ticket, pero ang tanong po, is it lower compared to international benchmarks and the purchasing power of Filipino fans? Medyo hindi pa rin po eh,” he said.

“Binabaan nila kasi nilalangaw na po, sayang, wala na pong nanonood. And we sponsored that tournament po. We paid so much money for this tournament tapos wala pong return,” he added.

Hontiveros also shared some sentiments from Filipino volleyball fans, specifically one of her children, regarding the ticket prices.

“Nireklamo din po niya [her child], Mr. President, ‘yung isang pinoint out na ‘bakit mama, ang mahal ng mga tickets?'” said Hontiveros. “Pagdungaw nila, kitang-kita nila na ‘yung mga sections, ‘yung mga seats na mas malapit sa court, halos walang nakaupo dahil napakamahal,” she added.

Ticket prices now cost from P250 for general admission to courtside seats, which now cost P5,500.

Tulfo also said that he had tried to talk to Suzara about the high ticket prices, but was dismissed and replied with, “We cannot please everybody.”

For Tulfo, fair pricing and responsible leadership must be presented by Suzara and the PNVF while handling an international event such as the FIVB World Championships.

“This is arrogance of the highest order.“Public trust, public responsibility, and sports development are not about pleasing everybody. They’re about fairness, integrity, and inclusivity. Why are Filipino fans being priced out of this international event held [on] their own soil?” Tulfo said.

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