PSC, PFF eye PhilSports Arena as futsal hub

The Philippine Football Federation, or PFF, has welcomed the strong commitment of the Philippine Sports Commission, or PSC, to elevate futsal nationwide after PSC Chairman John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said the government is studying the designation of the PhilSports Arena as a permanent futsal venue.

The initiative comes as the Philippines successfully hosts the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup 2025, or FFWWC, a milestone event that has strengthened cooperation among the PSC, PFF, and FIFA toward a long-term football and futsal development roadmap.

Chairman Gregorio said the rise of futsal has become increasingly evident across the country, particularly after the Batang Pinoy Philippine Youth Games 2025 held in General Santos.

“Take futsal for example. There were hundreds of players from nearly every LGU,” Gregorio told Philippine Star columnist Quinito Henson.

He added that futsal is among the country’s emerging sports—alongside archery, taekwondo, and swimming—and continues to gain traction, especially with the Philippines hosting the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup.

With the PhilSports Arena newly refurbished for the World Cup, Chairman Gregorio said the PSC is seriously considering establishing the venue as a dedicated futsal hub.

“There are more than enough basketball venues in Metro Manila,” he said. “Maybe it’s time we dedicate an arena for futsal. If we do this, we can excite FIFA to help us formalize a seven-year development plan for football in partnership with PFF. We have a chance to build something big and lasting.”

PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez welcomed PSC’s direction and described it as a potentially transformative step for the sport.

“PSC’s intention to establish a permanent futsal arena is a landmark move. It tells young athletes that futsal has a true home in this country, and it gives PFF and FIFA a strong platform to build a national development program,” Gutierrez said.

“A dedicated venue gives us the stability and visibility needed to run year-round leagues, coaching programs, referee development, and national team training. With FIFA’s technical support and the PSC’s leadership, we can construct a seven-year plan that strengthens the entire football and futsal ecosystem—from grassroots to elite level.”

Chairman Gregorio, who also leads the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee, underscored the broader national benefits of hosting top-tier sporting events.

“Sports can help the economy if we attach it to tourism. It’s a great way to promote our country,” he said.

FFWWC, held at the world-class PhilSports Arena until December 7, has drawn international attention and showcased the Philippines as an emerging hub for global sports events.

PSC has worked closely with PFF throughout the preparations, with Gregorio personally inspecting the venue improvements alongside Gutierrez to ensure world-class standards.

“Pumunta kayo (sa arena) at makikita ninyo na kaya naman pala na maganda… This is because we are showcasing not only the skill, the talent, the athleticism of the Filipino, but we are showcasing the country as a sports tourism destination,” Gregorio noted.

The opening match of FFWWC last November 21 drew strong support, with Gregorio seated alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, PFF President Gutierrez, and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto as the Filipina5 battled Poland.

Mayor Sotto later reaffirmed Pasig City’s commitment to the development of football and futsal in the city.

“Pasig City is proud to host the First FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup!” he wrote, recalling the Memorandum of Agreement he signed with the PFF last May.

“Our City and the LGU are happy to be part of this and we are committed to promoting futsal and football, especially to our Pasigueño youth, as part of our sports development program.”

President Gutierrez echoed this call and said futsal can become a central pillar of the Philippines’ sports tourism strategy.

“The FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup is showing the world what the Philippines can deliver. A dedicated futsal venue and a joint FIFA–PFF–PSC development plan will allow us to sustain this momentum and turn futsal into a long-term asset for sports tourism and youth development.”

As discussions on the proposal progress, PFF expressed its full readiness to collaborate with PSC and FIFA on creating and implementing a comprehensive futsal development roadmap.

The federation said the potential establishment of the PhilSports Arena as the “House of Futsal” would be a lasting legacy of the historic inaugural World Cup hosted by the Philippines, serving future generations of young Filipino futsal players. (PFF)