2026 Palarong Pambansa

66th Palarong Pambansa

Palaro in AgSur, official logo
Host city	Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur (main)
Country	Philippines
Motto	Unlocking the Future Through Sports
Teams	20 teams (18 regional athletic associations, and two other delegations)
Athletes	13,247
Sport	35
Events	1,470
Opening	May 24, 2026
Closing	May 31, 2026
Opened by	Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr.
Closed by	DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara
Athlete's Oath	Precious Hope Sumile Maghyuis
Judge's Oath	Hidilyn Diaz
Torch lighter	Elias Tabac
Main venue	Patin-ay Sports Complex
Broadcast partner	People's Television Network Agusan del Sur
Ceremony venue	Patin-ay Sports Complex
Website	Palaro 2026

The 2026 Palarong Pambansa, officially known as the 66th Palarong Pambansa, billed as 2026 Palaro Tu Agsur (lit. Palaro in AgSur, stylized in all caps), is a multi-sport event being held in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur from May 24 - 31, 2026. Student-athletes from 20 athletic associations representing the 18 regions of the Philippines, National Academy of Sports, and the Philippine Schools Overseas are competing in different sporting events and disciplines.

The National Capital Region was the ninteenth straight general champions.

Hosting

Bidding

There were 3 bidding provinces in Mindanao: Agusan del Sur, Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga City. Davao City abandoned their bid in April 2024. On July 16, 2024, after the closing ceremony of 64th Palarong Pambansa in Cebu City, Agusan del Sur was declared the winner of the bid, marking the first time that Agusan del Sur will host the games, and also the second time the games will be hosted in the Caraga region since 1970 in Surigao City.

2026 Palarong Pambansa bids
City/Municipality	Province/Region
Prosperidad	Agusan del Sur
Zamboanga City	Zamboanga Peninsula
Oroquieta, Tangub, Ozamiz	Misamis Occidental

  Winning bid

Development and preparations

Maharlika Highway in Trento, pictured in 2017, prior to the widening of the highway.

Transportation

On May 11, the Government of Agusan del Sur rolled out free fides for delegates and spectators during the games, in which the DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara on May 19, thanked the Provincial Government for that free rides and free tourist programs for delegates for the games.

Budget

The Maharlika Highway in Agusan del Sur is currently under rehabilitation as of March 24, 2026. The rehabilitation efforts cost ₱3.19 billion, including preventive maintenance, road widening, asphalt overlay, street lights, and installation of all road safety measures such as markings and signages. It will be completed before the Palarong Pambansa 2026 starts.

The Datu Lipus Makapandong Democrito O. Plaza Sports Complex cost ₱1.7 billion for construction and rehabilitation. After the games, it will intend to be used not just only for national games, but for any games hosted in that complex.

Construction

DepEd and Agusan del Sur Provincial Government (PGAS) inspected venues and billeting quarters in Agusan del Sur. Among of those sporting venues were areas designated for volleyball, gymnastics, swimming, and more to accommodate student-athletes and delegation members.

Among these new sites to be constructed at Datu Lipus Makapandong - Democrito O. Plaza Sports Complex were the 2,000 seating capacity EOC Evacuation Center, an additional 2,000 seating capacity second grandstand, a touchpad for the existing swimming pool, a multi-purpose covered courts, a renovated commissary building with modern kitchen facilities and function halls, and a Rhythmic Gymnastics-exclusive gym.

In Bayugan, the ACE Badminton Centre has been constructed for Badminton Tournament for that games, and the Bayugan City Convention Center, located in Brgy. Maygatasan, for Taekwondo Tournament.

In Talacogon, the Barangay Del Monte Evacuation Center, with the capacity of 2,000 people for 5x5 Basketball Secondary Girls, has been constructed, and ready to use for that games.

Currently, Agusan del Sur is now 100% ready for the said games.

Medals

The Palaro 2026 medal features handcrafted ribbons made by the Indigenous People of Loreto.

Security

The Government of Agusan del Sur and its uniformed personnel attended the Multi-Agency Task Force at Naliyagan Grounds, Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur to secure and protect the Palaro athletes.

Security will be handled by the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur, together with the 916 members of the 401st Infantry Brigade (401st IBde) of the Philippine Army, and 700 police personnel of the Police Regional Office 13 of the Philippine National Police of the estimated of 2,000 multi-agency task force personnel nationwide.

Impact on the games due to 2026 Iran war

Main articles: Economic impact of the 2026 Iran war § Asia-Pacific, and 2026 Philippine energy crisis

Rumors circulated that the games will be possibly cancelled due to the economic impact of the 2026 Iran war including increasing oil prices and fare hikes as per declared by President Bongbong Marcos on March 24. The organization and its Provincial Government have not yet confirmed this cancellation. To solve this, Marcos signed the Republic Act 12316, known as to temporarily suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products in response to surging global oil prices due to the ongoing conflict in Iran until December 31, 2028.

The National Secretariat of Palarong Pambansa and the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur clarified that the games will continue as planned.

Tickets

On May 20, Governor Cane told PTV-8 that he opened all sporting events of the games without any tickets and free to watch, but they're going under security checks for the safe of all spectators during the games.

Venues

Democrito O. Plaza Sports Complex, the venue of the opening/closing ceremony of the games

Inside of the EOC Evacuation Center will host the Basketball 5x5 Secondary Boys.

A Caraga Taekwondo Student-Athlete with Bayugan City Convention Center in the backround, the host of the games' Taekwondo tournament.

Municipalities that have venues in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa

Sporting venues

The following are the official playing venues for the games.

Municipality	Venue	Event
Prosperidad	Democrito O. Plaza Sports Complex Main Stadium	Athletics Opening Ceremony
	Democrito O. Plaza Sports Complex Aquatic Center	Swimming
	Democrito O. Plaza Sports Complex Multi-purpose Basketball Court	Dancesport Karatedo
	Democrito O. Plaza Sports Complex Tennis Court	Tennis Soft Tennis
	Democrito O. Plaza Sports Complex Football Field	Football
	Democrito O. Plaza Sports Complex Open Field	Football
	Agusan del Sur National Science High School Covered Court	Basketball 3x3
	EOC Evacuation Center	Basketball 5x5 Secondary Boys Volleyball
	D.O. Plaza Government Center Provincial Engineering Office Compound	Billiards Volleyball
	ASSAT Compound	Football Sepak Takraw
	Democrito O. Plaza Sports Complex Gymnastics Gym (Back of 2nd Grandstand)	Rhythmic Gymnastics
	Naliyagan Open Field	Softball
	D.O. Plaza Government Center (Back of the Provincial Satellite Auditing Office)	Softball
	D.O. Plaza Tennis Court	Tennis
	D.O. Plaza Government Center Provincial Evacuation Center	Weightlifting
	Datu Lipus Makapandong Cultural Center	Kickboxing
	SURE Covered Court	Table Tennis (Paragames)
Talacogon	Labnig Open Space	Archery
	Del Monte Evacuation Center	Basketball 5x5 Secondary Girls
	Talacogon Municipal Gym	Table Tennis
Bayugan	ACE Sports Centre	Badminton
	Kim Lope A. Asis Gymnasium	Basketball 5x5 Elementary
	San Lorenzo Ruiz Function Hall	Chess
	Bayugan City Convention Center	Taekwondo
	Bayugan City Dome	Wrestling
	Salvacion Evacuation Center	Wushu
San Francisco	ASELCO Function Hall	Arnis
	PERA-MPC Open Field	Baseball
	San Francisco Municipal Gymnasium	Futsal
	Alegria Covered Court	Futsal
Esperanza	Deo Manpatilan, Jr. Datu Mancumbate Cultural Arts Centre	Boxing Muay Thai
Rosario	Eutiqio O. Bade Sr. Sports and Cultural Center	Pencak Silat
Bunawan	ASSCAT Socio-Cultural Gym	Gymnastics

The Games

From top, left to right:

• Drone shot of the Patin-ay Sports Complex
• NIR athlete before the saludo
• Philippine Army Parachuter
• 7-time Guinness World Records title holder Elias Tabac, after lighting the torch during the opening ceremony of the games

Opening ceremony

The soft opening ceremony of the games will be first held at the Narra Avenue, Bayugan on May 23, 2026. The part one of the program will be held at Bayugan City Park and features a Parade & Presentation of Participating Delegations, Opening Ceremonies, and a spectacular Opening Salvo featuring a Cultural & Pyromusical Show, while part two will be held at Bayugan City Convention Center that features a welcome dinner and "Flavors of Bayugan: A Culinary Showcase"

Then, the grand opening will be held at Patin-ay Sports Complex in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on May 24. At 1:00pm, the regional delegates will be assembled at Naliyagan Grounds.

At 3:00pm, The Philippine Air Force's Black Hawk helicopter flies towards the venue carrying Philippine Army's Parachute team, then they land to the main stadium.

The Grand Opening Salvo and parade of colors has been presented, and the Grand Opening Spectacle features the delegates from Paragames athletes to the host, Caraga Regional Athletic Delegation.

Governor Cane will giving a welcome message to all athletes. The oath of sportsmanship will be presented by Precious Hope Sumile Maghyuis of Pencak Silat, and the oath of officiating officials to be presented by Hidilyn Diaz.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara will giving his speech on the introduction of keynote speaker. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will give his message via online. Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr. will give an address and its declaration of the games instead.

And finally, the ceremonial passing of the torch by the Agusan del Sur athletes, with Elias Tabac flames the torch, to be followed by the drone presentation.

The grand opening show featuring BGYO, Bayang Barrios, and Carmelle Collado will be the last to present the opening ceremony.

Sports

There are a total of 35 sports disciplines, including the para-games, demonstration sports, and exhibition sports.

Dancesport, Pencak Silat, and Weightlifting became regular sports.

Demonstration sports Karatedo Kickboxing Soft Tennis Exhibition sports Arnis Muay Thai Sitting Volleyball Table Tennis Parasports Athletics Bocce Goalball Swimming

Regular sports Archery Arnis Athletics Badminton Baseball Basketball Billiards Boxing Chess Dancesport Football Futsal

Gymnastics Aerobics Artistic Rhythmic Pencak Silat Sepak takraw Softball Swimming Table tennis Taekwondo Tennis Volleyball Weightlifting Wrestling Wushu

Closing ceremony

The closing ceremony was held at Naliyagan Grounds at Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on May 31, 2026.

Participating teams

  Host Region

Regions
Code	Name	Colors
BAM	Bangsamoro
COR	Cordillera
NCR	National Capital Region
NIR	Negros Island
ILO	Ilocos
CAV	Cagayan Valley
CLU	Central Luzon
CZN	Calabarzon
MIM	Mimaropa
BIC	Bicol
PAN	Panay
SBU	Sugbu
SLE	Samar-Leyte
ZAM	Zamboanga
AMI	Amihanan
DAV	Davao
COT	Cotabato
CRG	Caraga
Other teams
Code	Name	Colors
NAS	National Academy of Sports
PSO	Association of Philippine Schools Overseas

Calendar

OC

Opening ceremony

●

Event competitions

F/M

Finals/Medal events

CC

Closing ceremony

May 2026		22nd Friday	23rd Saturday	24th Sunday	25th Monday	26th Tuesday	27th Wednesday	28th Thursday	29th Friday	30th Saturday	31st Sunday	Events
Ceremonies				OC							CC	—N/a
Regular, Demonstration1, and Para2 Sports
Archery					●	●	●	●	●	●		1
Arnis						●	●	●	●	●		2
Athletics					●	●	●	●	●			5
Badminton					●	●	●	●	●	●		2
Baseball						●	●	●	●	●		1
Basketball			●	●	●	●	●	●	●	●		1
Billiards						●	●	●	●	●		1
Bocce						●	●	●	●			4
Boxing					●	●	●	●	●	●		2
Chess					●	●	●	●	●			1
Dancesport						●	●	●	●			1
Football		●	●	●	●	●	●	●	●	●		1
Futsal						●	●	●	●	●		1
Goalball						●	●	●	●			1
Gymnastics		●	●	●	●	●	●	●	●	●		9
Karatedo						●	●	●	●			1
Kickboxing						●	●	●	●			1
Muay Thai						●	●	●	●			1
Pencak silat						●	●	●	●			4
Sepak takraw						●	●	●	●	●		1
Sitting Volleyball						●	●	●	●	●		1
Softball					●	●	●	●	●	●		1
Soft Tennis					●	●	●	●	●	●		1
Swimming						●	●	●	●			4
Table tennis					●	●	●	●	●	●		3
Taekwondo							●	●	●			6
Tennis			●	●	●	●	●	●	●	●		1
Volleyball					●	●	●	●	●	●		1
Weightlifting						●	●	●	●	●		1
Wrestling					●	●	●	●	●			5
Wushu						●	●	●	●			1

Medal Tally

The Caraga Regional Football Athletes during the opening ceremony, in which later become gold medalists of the inaugural Secondary Girls Football tournament on May 30.

Regular games

Rank	Region	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	National Capital Region (NCRAA)	91	71	71	233
2	Calabarzon (IV-A STCAA)	55	50	60	165
3	Davao Region (XI-DavRAA)	34	32	34	100
4	Central Visayas (VII-CVIRAA)	32	30	44	106
5	Western Visayas (VI-WVRAA)	31	36	45	112
6	Caraga (CARAGARAA)*	30	19	48	97
7	Northern Mindanao (X-NMRAA)	27	31	31	89
8	Central Luzon (III-CLRAA)	27	27	33	87
9	Soccsksargen (XII-SRAA)	19	25	32	76
10	Zamboanga Peninsula (IX-ZPRAA)	17	11	13	41
11	Negros Island Region (NIRAA)	16	24	29	69
12	Eastern Visayas (VIII-EVRAA)	14	25	26	65
13	Ilocos Region (I-R1AA)	14	18	22	54
14	Bicol Region (V-BRAA)	13	18	21	52
15	Cordillera Administrative Region (CARAA)	13	17	16	46
16	National Academy of Sports (NAS)	11	5	12	28
17	Mimaropa (IV-B MRAA)	5	2	7	14
18	Cagayan Valley (II-CAVRAA)	4	10	18	32
19	Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BARMAA)	1	2	1	4
20	Philippine Schools Overseas	0	0	0	0
Totals (20 entries)		454	453	563	1,470

Source: palarongpambansa2026.com

Demonstration games

Rank	Region	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	Soccsksargen (XII-SRAA)	4	5	9	18
2	Davao Region (XI-DavRAA)	4	4	5	13
3	Caraga (CARAGARAA)*	4	1	6	11
4	Cordillera Administrative Region (CARAA)	3	5	4	12
5	Cagayan Valley (II-CAVRAA)	3	2	4	9
6	National Capital Region (NCRAA)	3	1	1	5
7	Calabarzon (IV-A STCAA)	2	1	2	5
8	Northern Mindanao (X-NMRAA)	1	2	4	7
9	Western Visayas (VI-WVRAA)	1	1	8	10
10	Eastern Visayas (VIII-EVRAA)	1	0	4	5
11	Zamboanga Peninsula (IX-ZPRAA)	1	0	0	1
12	Ilocos Region (I-R1AA)	0	3	0	3
13	Central Luzon (III-CLRAA)	0	1	1	2
	Central Visayas (VII-CVIRAA)	0	1	1	2
15	Mimaropa (IV-B MRAA)	0	0	3	3
16	Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BARMAA)	0	0	2	2
17	Bicol Region (V-BRAA)	0	0	0	0
	National Academy of Sports (NAS)	0	0	0	0
	Negros Island Region (NIRAA)	0	0	0	0
	Philippine Schools Overseas	0	0	0	0
Totals (20 entries)		27	27	54	108

Source: palarongpambansa2026.com

Para games

Rank	Region	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	Western Visayas (VI-WVRAA)	21	25	15	61
2	Negros Island Region (NIRAA)	15	6	5	26
3	Calabarzon (IV-A STCAA)	12	13	7	32
4	Eastern Visayas (VIII-EVRAA)	11	4	5	20
5	Bicol Region (V-BRAA)	7	7	5	19
6	Davao Region (XI-DavRAA)	6	8	6	20
7	National Capital Region (NCRAA)	6	7	7	20
8	Zamboanga Peninsula (IX-ZPRAA)	5	2	4	11
9	Caraga (CARAGARAA)*	4	9	8	21
10	Northern Mindanao (X-NMRAA)	3	3	1	7
11	Soccsksargen (XII-SRAA)	2	8	9	19
12	Ilocos Region (I-R1AA)	2	1	9	12
13	Central Luzon (III-CLRAA)	2	1	6	9
14	Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BARMAA)	1	1	4	6
15	Cordillera Administrative Region (CARAA)	1	1	3	5
16	Central Visayas (VII-CVIRAA)	1	1	2	4
17	Cagayan Valley (II-CAVRAA)	0	1	0	1
18	Mimaropa (IV-B MRAA)	0	0	0	0
	National Academy of Sports (NAS)	0	0	0	0
	Philippine Schools Overseas	0	0	0	0
Totals (20 entries)		99	98	96	293

Source: palarongpambansa2026.com

Marketing

Branding

The Agusan image statue (900–950 CE) discovered in 1917 on the banks of the Wawa River near Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, Mindanao in the Philippines, which was the inspiration of the logo.

The logo for the 2026 Palarong Pambansa was unveiled on February 19, 2026, featuring a river representing the Agusan River that stands as a testament to the province's growth and development, the Suyam-inspired element, which was traditionally embroidered by the indigenous people of Agusan del Sur, that stands for the unity and sportsmanship of the games; and the Golden Tara that signifies the colonial heritage of Caraga Region.

Merchandise

The Government of Agusan del Sur launched the "Tara, Dagan Ta sa Agusan del Sur", a fun run organized by the Team Eddiebong, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur (PGAS), private sector partners, the Naliyagan Festival Stakeholders Inc. (NSFI), and local running communities, that will serve as a prelude to the 2026 games on May 23, one day before the opening of the games. The winner will receive cash prizes up to P6,000 for one female and one male category 10km run, P4,000 for 5km run, and P3,000 for 1km Fur Buddy run, respectively.

Music

On May 12, 2026, the official theme song of the 2026 games "The Ultimate Palaro Dream" has been released on any streaming platforms such as YouTube and Spotify. It was performed by Felix Romar Arcayna, Valerie Lorana, and Dave Joshua Baroro, Composed and Arranged by Lyndon Patrick Cabarliza, and Co-Arranged by Samson Polancos, Jr., and Baroro. Including of these playlist are: "Kasadya" by Bayang Barrios, "Diwa ng Tagumpay", "Bida ang Kabataang Atleta" by Agusan Marsh Band, "Buksan ang Bukas", "Bulawanong Paglaom" by Voices of AgSur, and "We Rise as One".

Media coverage

PTV Agusan del Sur, an analog affiliate of the state-owned PTV, will serve as the main live and streaming coverage of the said games.

Sponsorships

Co-presentors
Philsaga Mining Corporation Transorient Manpower Services Corporation Milo Energy Drink

Concerns and controversies

Fire incident

On May 27 at Talacogon Municipal Gym, an ongoing Table Tennis tournament has been temporary suspended due to an air conditioning at the back of the gymnasium, causing fire. No one has been injured, and the fire has been wiped out. Investigation is currently ongoing what happened at the fire incident during the games' Table Tennis tournament.

Environment and health

In a press statement released by Eastern Visayas delegation on May 27, their delegation confirms of stomach upset among Athletes from the Arnis, Volleyball, and Rhythmic Gymnastics last May 26.

Immediate medical attention and monitoring has been provided by the designated Regional Medical Teams. Reported symptoms included abdominal pain, vomiting, and loose bowel movement. No severe cases or dehydration were recorded.

Gallery

• 
  Agusan del Sur dancers during the opening ceremony
• 
  Lagdameo and the Agusan del Sur officials recieved an incentives for every medalists
• 
  Deo Manpatilan Jr. Sports Center in Esperanza, hosted the Boxing competition
• 
  Palaro Media Center in Patin-ay, Prosperidad

External links

• Media related to 2026 Palarong Pambansa at Wikimedia Commons