Panaad Stadium

2025 SEA Games

2025 SEA Games

2025 SEA Games: Bacolod City Takes Center Stage

Official Host and Venue

The 2025 SEA Games will be hosted by Bacolod City, Philippines, with Panaad Park and Stadium serving as the primary venue. Chosen for its sports legacy, upgraded infrastructure, and accessibility, the venue features over 20,000 seats, new athlete dormitories, and enhanced lighting systems. It previously hosted top-tier events, including matches of Ceres Negros FC.

Attribute Details
Location Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
Main Venue Panaad Park and Stadium
Capacity 20,000+
Key Upgrades Track re-laying, LED lights, housing
Nearby Airport Bacolod–Silay International Airport
Sports Legacy Ceres Negros FC, local leagues

Host Selection and Confirmation

Bacolod’s bid was selected through a multi-stage process coordinated by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the SEA Games Federation Council. The city’s centralized venue plan, existing sports infrastructure, and active community participation were key factors.

Competing Cities:

City Strengths Limitations
Bacolod Stadium-ready, football hub Minor renovations required
Davao City Security, hotel base Scattered venues
Clark Elite venues, central Luzon access Less community sports engagement

Bacolod secured 56% of the council votes, followed by Clark (28%) and Davao (16%).

Timeline:

  • March 2023: Letter of Intent submitted

  • July 2023: Inspection by SEAGF Technical Delegates

  • October 2023: Official host confirmation in Phnom Penh

Key Ceremonies

Handover Ceremony

Held on May 17, 2023, during Cambodia’s closing ceremony, the Philippines received the SEA Games flag. A Bacolod-based troupe showcased Ati-atihan and Tinikling, reinforcing the local cultural identity.

Kick-off Ceremony

On March 3, 2024, over 5,000 spectators gathered at the Bacolod Government Center for the kickoff. Highlights included:

  • Countdown clock unveiling

  • Official logo and mascot launch

  • Parade of athletes

  • Negrense cultural fair

    SEA Games sports venues
    SEA Games sports venues

Infrastructure and Preparation

A ₱1.2 billion master plan drives the city’s upgrades. Led by PSC and LGUs, the plan includes:

Key Developments:

  • Venues: Panaad track resurfacing, aquatic center revamp, multi-sport halls

  • Athlete Housing: 300-bed dormitories, training centers

  • Transport: Road widening, 40 electric shuttles, airport upgrades

  • Security & Tech: RFID badges, CCTV networks, coordinated emergency systems

Progress: As of Q1 2025, 85% of infrastructure is completed.

Committees and Oversight

Steering Committee

Oversees national strategy, budget, and agency coordination.

Name Role
VP Sara Duterte Honorary Chair
PSC Chair Richard Bachmann Co-Chair
POC President Abraham Tolentino Member

Local Organizing Committee (LOC)

Handles day-to-day execution.

Name Role
Mayor Alfredo Benitez Chair
Monsour del Rosario Sports Director
Engr. Rene Villanueva Logistics Head

SEAGF Coordination Committee

Monitors compliance and technical validation across all events and schedules.

Budget and Sponsors

Allocation: ₱3.5 Billion

Category Allocation (₱M)
Venue Upgrades 1,200
Athlete Services 480
Logistics & Transport 600
Security & Medical 350
Ceremonies & Marketing 570
Contingency & Operations 300

Sponsors: Globe, SM Prime, San Miguel Corp., Megaworld, Ceres Bus Lines

Sports Programme

Total: 43 Sports, 560 Events

Compulsory (Olympic) Sports:

  • Athletics (48 events)

  • Aquatics (39)

  • Gymnastics (12)

  • Football (2)

  • Boxing (13)

  • Basketball, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Badminton

Regional/Host Sports:

  • Arnis, Esports, Sepak Takraw, Muay Thai, Pencak Silat

  • New: Breaking, Soft Tennis, Dancesport

Sample Sport-Venue Mapping:

Sport Venue
Athletics Panaad Stadium
Swimming La Salle Coliseum
Esports SMX Convention Center
Martial Arts Bacolod Arts & Youth Sports Center

Opening and Closing Ceremonies

Opening: May 10, 2025

Theme: “One Region, Many Rhythms”
Performers: SB19, KZ Tandingan, Visayan ensembles
Highlights: Drone show, MassKara parade, cauldron lighting

Closing: May 21, 2025

Final parade, cultural tributes, and SEA Games flag handover to Thailand, the 2027 host.

Marketing Campaign and Legacy

Branding Theme: “Bacolod Beats for Southeast Asia”

  • Channels: Social media, billboards, in-school activations

  • Mascot: Panoy – Chicken Inasal character

  • Target: 100M+ regional reach, 20M domestic engagement

Legacy Focus:

  • Long-term venue reuse

  • New LGU sports leagues

  • Annual Bacolod Sports Festival

  • Chicken Inasal branded as a regional culinary icon

  • Projected +35% tourism, 10,000 new sports-related jobs by 2028

Staff Panaad Stadium