{{Short description|Indoor arena under construction in Pasig, Philippines}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Use Philippine English|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox venue | name =Home of the UAAP | image = | caption = | address = Amang Rodriguez Ave., Bridgetowne, Pasig, Philippines | coordinates = {{coord|14|35|33.9|N|121|05|16.9|E|dim:30_region:PH_type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | elevation = <!-- {{cvt|...|ft|m}} or {{cvt|...|m|ft}} --> | public_transit = | parking = | owner = Akari Lighting & Technology | operator = | type = Indoor arena | capacity = 8,074<ref name="groundbreaking2" /> | record_attendance = | scoreboard = | screens = | broke_ground = October 24, 2025 | opened = 2027 (projected) | cost = <!-- {{Philippine peso|}} --> | architect = Asya Design Partner | builder = | tenants = University Athletic Association of the Philippines | website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} --> }}
The '''Home of the UAAP''', also referred to as the '''UAAP Arena''', is the tentative name for an indoor arena that is under construction in Amang Rodriguez Ave., Bridgetowne, Pasig, Philippines. The arena is part of a collaboration between the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and Akari Lighting & Technology, and is planned to be a "central hub" for events hosted by the UAAP.
The arena was first announced on August 20, 2024 with construction starting on October 24, 2025. Construction is expected to finish in 2027, in time for the UAAP's 90th season, and will have a capacity of 8,074.
==History== There have been plans to construct a neutral and dedicated venue for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The collegiate league initially considered a structure similar to the University of Santo Tomas' Quadricentennial Pavilion but was scrapped due to it being too expensive to fund independently.<ref name="abs1">{{cite news |last1=Anzures |first1=Rom |title=What to expect from 'The Home of the UAAP' |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/8/20/what-to-expect-from-the-home-of-the-uaap-1349 |access-date=20 August 2024 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=20 August 2024}}</ref>
Negotiations for venue began in March 2023 between the UAAP and Akari Lighting & Technology Corp, with Fr. Aldrin Suan, CM of Adamson University, then-president of Season 85, leading the project. The concept was made by Asya Design and was unveiled later that year in May.<ref name=":0" />
The proposed venue was unveiled on August 20, 2024, at the University of the Philippines Diliman and is given the temporary name of the "Home of the UAAP".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Demigillo |first=Kiko |date=2024-08-20 |title=Home of the UAAP: League unveils plans for landmark sports arena in Pasig |url=https://www.onesports.ph/uaap/article/23766/home-of-the-uaap-uaap-akari-partner-for-landmark-sports-arena-in-pasig-city |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=onesports.ph |language=en}}</ref> Construction of the venue was planned to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025 and is set to open in time for UAAP Season 90 in 2027.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-20 |title=UAAP partners with Akari to build own stadium in Pasig |url=https://www.spin.ph/life/guide/uaap-with-akari-to-build-own-stadium-at-bridgetowne-estate-a2437-20240820?ref=home_feed_1 |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}</ref>
The groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 24, 2025.<ref name=groundbreaking>{{cite news |title=8,000-seat ‘Home of the UAAP’ set to rise in Pasig |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2025/10/24/2482225/8000-seat-home-uaap-set-rise-pasig |access-date=24 October 2025 |work=The Philippine Star |date=24 October 2025}}</ref>
==Architecture and design== Asya Design Partner is responsible for the concept design of the Home of the UAAP, with Albert Yu as its principal architect.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Li |first1=Matthew |title=UAAP, Akari forge landmark partnership to build 'Home of the UAAP' in Pasig |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/uaap-akari-forge-landmark-partnership-to-build-home-of-the-uaap-in-pasig/310005 |access-date=20 August 2024 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=20 August 2024}}</ref> The indoor arena covers a total space of {{convert|18000|sqm|sqft|sp=us}} and is located at Bridgetowne in Pasig.<ref name="the-game">{{cite web |title=The UAAP Will Have Its Very Own Arena Soon - The Game |url=https://thegame-onemega.com/the-uaap-will-have-its-very-own-arena-soon/ |website=The Game |publisher=One Mega Group |access-date=20 August 2024 |date=20 August 2024}}</ref>
The structure of the indoor arena is inspired from an infinity symbol or an eight when turned sideways, which is a reference to the UAAP's eight member schools.<ref name="pdi1">{{cite news |last1=Agcaoili |first1=Lance |title=State-of-the-art 'Home of the UAAP' set to rise in 2027 |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/581137/state-of-the-art-home-of-the-uaap-set-to-rise-in-2027 |access-date=20 August 2024 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=20 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
It was set to have a projected seating capacity of 6,000, which according to UAAP Executive Director Rene Saguisag Jr., is the average attendance for UAAP games.<ref name=manilta-times>{{Cite web |last=Masoy |first=Niel Victor C. |date=2024-08-20 |title=UAAP, Akari to build 'Home of the UAAP' arena |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/08/20/sports/uaap-akari-to-build-home-of-the-uaap-arena/1965102 |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=The Manila Times |language=en}}</ref> It will accommodate indoor sports but will not have facilities for aquatic sports.<ref name="abs1"/> During the groundbreaking ceremony, it was announced that the arena's planned capacity was increased to 8,074.<ref name="groundbreaking2">{{cite web |last1=Montejo |first1=Mark Rey |title=Akari takes another stride toward building a home for UAAP |url=https://mb.com.ph/2025/10/24/akari-takes-another-stride-toward-building-a-home-for-uaap |website=Manila Bulletin |access-date=2025-10-24 |date=2025-10-24}}</ref>
==Tenants== As the name suggests, the Home of the UAAP will serve as the primary venue of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) for both the high school and collegiate level,<ref name=manilta-times/> although the league intends to use venues such as the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the SM Mall of Asia Arena for events drawing larger audiences. This includes rivalry games in men's basketball and women's basketball.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Isaga |first=JR |date=2024-08-20 |title=New ground: UAAP unveils proposed Pasig arena for 2027 and beyond |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/uaap/new-arena-pasig-city/ |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}</ref> The UAAP will also allow other leagues to rent the venue.<ref name=manilta-times/>
== References == {{reflist}}
== See also == * Proposed Philippine Basketball Association arena
{{UAAP}}
Category:Sports venues in Metro Manila Category:Buildings and structures in Pasig Category:Indoor arenas in the Philippines Category:Indoor arenas under construction Category:Basketball venues in the Philippines Category:Volleyball venues in the Philippines Category:Buildings and structures under construction in Metro Manila