{{Short description|Public indoor arena in Pasig, Philippines}} {{distinguish|PhilSports Football and Athletics Stadium|Philippine Arena}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Use Philippine English|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox venue | name = PhilSports Arena | nickname = | logo_image = Logo of PhilSports Arena.svg | image = File:Philsports Arena (Pasig; 12-09-2019).jpg | image_size = 250px | caption = The PhilSports Arena in 2019 after renovation | former_names = PSC-National Academy of Sports Arena<br />PSC Sports Arena<br />University of Life Theater and Recreational Arena (ULTRA) | location = Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines | coordinates = {{coord|14.57755|N|121.06609|E|dim:30_region:PH_type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | broke_ground = | opened = 1985 | closed = | demolished = | renovated = 2019, 2025 | owner = Philippine Sports Commission | operator = Philippine Sports Commission | architect = | civil engineer = | surface = | construction_cost = | public_transit = | tenants =PBA (1980s–1990s) <br /> PVL (2017–2018, 2022–2025)<br>PFF Futsaliga (2026–present) | seating_capacity = 10,000<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ramos |first1=Gerry |title=Big crowd sends off Gilas in tune-up match vs Mustangs |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/fiba/big-crowd-sends-off-gilas-in-tune-up-match-vs-mustangs-a793-20240624 |access-date=6 May 2026 |work=Sports Interactive Network Philippines |date=24 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref> }}
The '''Philippine Institute of Sports Multi-Purpose Arena''' or '''PhilSports Arena''' is an indoor sporting arena located inside the PhilSports Complex in Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines. It was formerly known as the '''University of Life Theater and Recreational Arena''' or the '''ULTRA'''. The arena is part of the PhilSports Complex which is maintained by the Philippine Sports Commission.
== History == thumb|The PhilSports Arena in 2014 prior to the 2019 renovation
The PhilSports Arena first opened to the public in 1985 and is part of the larger PhilSports Complex.<ref>{{cite web |title=Philsports Complex (ULTRA) |url=https://psc.gov.ph/psc_site/philsports-complexultra/ |publisher=Philippine Sports Commission |access-date=6 May 2026 |language=en |date=23 September 2023}}</ref><ref name="woeful">{{cite news |last1=Ramos |first1=Gerry |title=Woeful state of PBA's old ULTRA haunt not lost on coaches Jason Webb, Jojo Lastimosa |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/philsports-arenas-woeful-state-not-lost-on-former-pba-players-turned-coaches-webb-lastimosa- |access-date=6 May 2026 |work=Sports Interactive Network Philippines |date=12 November 2015 |language=en}}</ref> By 2015, the condition of the indoor arena have deteriorated.<ref name="woeful"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ramos |first1=Gerry |title=Yeng Guiao longs to see Philsports Arena restored to its old glory |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/yeng-guiao-bats-for-philsports-arena-rehabilitation-after-frustrating-homecoming- |access-date=6 May 2026 |work=Sports Interactive Network Philippines |date=31 December 2016 |language=en}}</ref>
The arena was given a major renovation in time for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games<ref>{{cite web |title=Venues to serve Philippine sports beyond 30th Southeast Asian Games |url=https://www.spin.ph/multisport/sea-games/venues-to-serve-philippine-sports-beyond-a1373-20190901 |website=Spin.ph |access-date=September 18, 2019 |date=September 1, 2019 |archive-date=June 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623105119/https://www.spin.ph/multisport/sea-games/venues-to-serve-philippine-sports-beyond-a1373-20190901 |url-status=live }}</ref> The arena underwent renovations again ahead of the 2025 FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup<ref>{{cite news |last1=Atencio |first1=Peter |title=FL Liza Marcos to help oversee Philsports renovation-PSC chair Gregorio |url=https://manilastandard.net/sports/314652172/fl-liza-marcos-to-help-oversee-philsports-renovation-psc-chair-gregorio.html |access-date=6 May 2026 |work=Manila Standard |date=7 October 2025}}</ref>
==Sports== ===Basketball=== The Philippine Basketball Association regularly used the PhilSports Arena from its opening in 1985 until the early 1990s.<ref>{{cite news |title=PBA returning to PhilSports Arena for Commissioner's Cup |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/09/10/22/pba-returning-to-philsports-arena-for-commissioners-cup |access-date=6 May 2026 |date=10 September 2022}}</ref> ===Volleyball=== The Philisports Arena was the venue of the 2000 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix.<ref>{{cite news |last1=De la Vega |first1=Chito |title=Volleyball Grand Prix an Olympic preview |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=s1U1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=aiUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1489%2C8410375 |access-date=6 May 2026 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=19 July 2000 |page=B14}}</ref> It also served as one of the hosts of the preliminary round of the 2005 Grand Prix.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Awitan |first1=Marivic |title=Cuba closesn on Volleyball Grand Prix leg title |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xLljAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DSgMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2116%2C22423995 |access-date=6 May 2026 |work=The Manila Times |date=3 July 2005 |page=A12}}</ref>
The then-newly renovated arena served as the venue of the volleyball tournaments of the 2019 SEA Games.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mendoza |first1=Voltaire |title=SEAG volleyball to be played at historic PhilSports |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2019/02/22/1895881/seag-volleyball-be-played-historic-philsports |access-date=February 22, 2019 |work=The Philippine Star |date=February 22, 2019 |archive-date=February 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222152410/https://www.philstar.com/sports/2019/02/22/1895881/seag-volleyball-be-played-historic-philsports |url-status=live }}</ref> It also served as a venue for the Premier Volleyball League in 2017 and 2018 and later from 2022 to 2025.<ref name="whynopvl">{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=John Mark |title=Why no PVL All-Filipino Cup games will be held at Philsports Arena |url=https://www.spin.ph/volleyball/pvl/why-pvl-games-won-t-be-held-at-philsports-arena-a5172-20260121 |access-date=21 January 2026 |work=Spin.ph |date=21 January 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
Among the continental-level tournaments hosted at the arena are the 2022 Asian Women's Volleyball Cup and the 2025 AVC Women's Volleyball Champions League<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Villar |first1=Joey |title=Philippines to host Asian Volleyball Cup for women |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/sports/2022/07/25/463088/philippines-to-host-asian-volleyball-cup-for-women/ |access-date=28 August 2022 |work=BusinessWorld |date=25 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dannug |first1=Jonash |title=PVL strengthens international presence with AVC Women's Champions League hosting |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/pvl-strengthens-international-presence-with-avc-womens-champions-league-hosting/327178 |access-date=16 February 2025 |website=Tiebreaker Times |date=14 February 2025}}</ref>
===Futsal=== [[File:FIFA Futsal WWC Philsports Arena.jpg|thumb|The interior of the PhilSports Arena during the 2025 FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup]] The 2025 FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup, the first ever FIFA event hosted in the Philippines was held at the PhilSports Arena from November 21 to December 7, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-20 |title=Inaugural FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup kicks off at PhilSports |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/11/20/sports/inaugural-fifa-futsal-womens-world-cup-kicks-off-at-philsports/2228105 |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=The Manila Times |language=en}}</ref> The regional 2024 ASEAN Women's Futsal Championship was also held as a precursor to the world cup.<ref name=historic>{{cite news |last1=Olivares |first1=Rick |title=Philippines to host historic 2024 AFF Women’s Futsal Championships |url=https://qa.philstar.com/sports/2024/10/26/2395444/philippines-host-historic-2024-aff-womens-futsal-championships |access-date=26 October 2024 |work=The Philippine Star |date=26 October 2024}}</ref>
In January 2026, the venue was committed to be a futsal venue.<ref>{{cite news |title=PhilSports Arena keeping non-basketball setup for now |url=https://www.dugout.ph/2026/01/philsports-arena-keeping-non-basketball.html |access-date=22 January 2026 |work=Dugout Philippines |date=22 January 2026}}</ref> In February 2026, the inaugural season of the PFF Futsaliga began.<ref name=futsaliga>{{cite web |title=32 teams, 500+ players, 4 divisions: Futsal fever heats up as PFF Futsaliga opens - Philippine Football Federation |url=https://pff.org.ph/32-teams-500-players-4-divisions-futsal-fever-heats-up-as-pff-futsaliga-opens/ |publisher=Philippine Football Federation |access-date=3 March 2026 |date=2 March 2026}}</ref>
===Other sports=== The badminton competition of the 2005 SEA Games was held in the PhilSports Arena.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Abcede |first1=JP |last2=Bagamasbad |first2=Melissa |title=Indonesia wins badminton overall championship |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GFc1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=hyUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2815%2C1590280 |access-date=6 May 2026 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=4 December 2005 |page=A28}}</ref>
==See also== *Philippine Sports Commission
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Commons category-inline}} * [http://www.psc.gov.ph Philippine Sports Commission] – official website
{{s-start}} {{succession box | title = Host of the PBA All-Star Game | years = 1989–1992 <br> 1999 | before = first arena <br> Cuneta Astrodome | after = Cuneta Astrodome <br> University of San Agustin }} {{s-end}}
{{navboxes|list= {{Ortigas Center}} {{Philippine Basketball Association arenas}} {{Sports venues in the Greater Manila Area}} }}
Category:Sports venues in Metro Manila Category:Indoor arenas in the Philippines Category:Basketball venues in the Philippines Category:ASEAN Basketball League venues Category:Buildings and structures in Pasig Category:Volleyball venues in the Philippines Category:Philippine Sports Commission Category:Philippine Basketball Association venues Category:Sports venues completed in 1985 Category:1985 establishments in the Philippines