Senator Criticizes Exorbitant Ticket Prices at FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship in Manila

Senator Erwin Tulfo has strongly condemned the steep ticket prices for the ongoing FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship held in Manila, describing them as unaffordable for typical sports enthusiasts. During his privilege speech, Senator Tulfo highlighted that tickets priced as high as ₱15,000 have effectively alienated many potential spectators, causing the event to suffer from thin attendance.

He called for a thorough inquiry into the tournament, which features 32 of the world's top volleyball teams and reportedly costs the Philippines a staggering ₱2 billion to host. Tulfo warned that such prohibitive pricing undermines the spirit of sports accessibility, stating, "₱15,000 just to watch volleyball — who would buy such expensive tickets? Certainly, not ordinary students or passionate volleyball fans from the provinces, or the young aspiring athletes."

Due to the low turnout, the Philippine National Volleyball Association (PNVF), organizer of the event, was forced to cut ticket prices by half and released free seating on a first-come, first-served basis for seats farther from the action. This adjustment underscores the mismatch between ticket pricing and fan reach.

Senator Tulfo's remarks emphasize the need to balance event costs with ensuring that sports events remain inclusive and accessible to the general public, especially for young fans and future players.

"Proper pricing is crucial for the successful engagement of the Filipino sports community," he concluded.