MANILA — A second FIFA Arena has been launched in the Philippines, this time at the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex in Puerto Princesa.
The Philippine Football Federation, together with FIFA and the Puerto Princesa Football Association (PPFA), unveiled the arena on Thursday. It is an all-weather quarter pitch with artificial turf, purpose-built for small-sided football for children and teenagers.
This is the second FIFA Arena built in the country, after the first was opened in Balanga, Bataan in January 2026.
Football officials at the launch of the FIFA Arena in Puerto Princesa, September 24, 2026. Handout photo
"Today is about more than just simply opening a football pitch in a beautiful city. We are bringing together opportunity, access, health, and the protection of our children—all through football," PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez said. "Through the FIFA Arena, we provide a safe, accessible and all-weather space where children can play... this is a gamechanger for Philippine football."
The event also marked two other firsts for the Philippines: the FIFA Boots for All Program, through which FIFA and PFF distributed 500 pairs of boots to young players in Palawan, and a FIFA Medical Session for Children focused on health education and emergency response.
"We know that for many children, having proper football boots can be a barrier to playing the game. Through this programme, we can help remove that barrier," Gutierrez said, adding that the medical initiative aims to equip coaches and young players with "better practices in emergency response, health and player welfare."
Gutierrez encouraged the children of Palawan to maximize the FIFA Arena and to dream big: "Perhaps one day, from this very pitch in Palawan, we will see a young player take the next step—from grassroots football, to representing Palawan, to representing the Philippines, and maybe even playing on the biggest stages in the world."
Meanwhile, PPFA President Dio Paolo De Guzman said the arena turns a long-standing dream into reality for Palawan's grassroots football community.
"This is the start of the journey to develop more young players, our grassroots for Palawan," he said, announcing plans for free Saturday training sessions open to kids across the province under licensed coaches.
Football officials at the launch of the FIFA Arena in Puerto Princesa, September 24, 2026. Handout photo
Present at the event was FIFA Council Member and former PFF President Mariano V. Araneta Jr. and FIFA Regional Lead and Development Manager for East and Southeast Asia Lavin Vignesh, as well as FIFA Arena Project Consultant Amlan Kamal and FIFA Senior Health and Medical Projects Manager Khloud Sebak.
According to Sebak, Puerto Princesa marked the first time FIFA Medical's global health promotion content was introduced in a host country, with materials made available through FIFA's website, YouTube, and the Football for Schools app for accessibility even in remote areas.