2026 Palarong Pambansa

Bidding

There were 3 bidding provinces in Mindanao: Agusan del Sur,^[2] Misamis Occidental^[3] and Zamboanga City. Davao City abandoned their bid in April 2024.^[4] 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,^[5][6] and also the second time the games will be hosted in the Caraga region since 1970 in Surigao City.

  Winning bid

Transportation

On May 11, the Government of Agusan del Sur rolled out free rides for delegates and spectators during the games, in which the DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara on May 19, thanked the Provincial Government for the free rides and free tourist programs for delegates for the games.^[7]

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.^[8]

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.^[9]

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.^[10]

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.^[11]

In Bayugan, the ACE Badminton Centre has been constructed for Badminton Tournament for that games, and the Bayugan City Convention Center, in Brgy. Maygatasan, for Taekwondo Tournament.^[12][13]

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.^[14]

Currently, Agusan del Sur is now 100% ready for the said games.^[15][16][17]

Medals

The Palaro 2026 medal features handcrafted ribbons made by the Indigenous People of Loreto.^[18]

Security

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.^[19]

Impact on the games due to 2026 Iran war

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.^[20]

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 safety of all spectators during the games.^[21]

Sporting venues

The following are the official playing venues for the games.^[22]

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".^[23]

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 in 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 be 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 be giving his speech on the introduction of keynote speaker. President Bongbong Marcos 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, when 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.^[24][25][26]

Sports

There are a total of 35 sports disciplines, including the para-games, demonstration sports, and exhibition sports.^[27]

Dancesport, Pencak Silat, and Weightlifting became regular sports.

Closing ceremony

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

Agusan del Sur Governor Cane hands over the Palarong Pambansa flag to the Mayor of Quezon City, Joy Belmonte. ^[28]

Regular games

Demonstration games

Para games

Branding

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.^[29]

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.^[30]

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.^[31] Included in these playlists 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".^[32]

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.^{[citation needed]}

Sponsorships

Fire incident

On May 27 at Talacogon Municipal Gym, an ongoing Table Tennis tournament has been temporarily suspended due to air conditioning at the back of the gymnasium, causing fire. No one has been injured, and the fire has been put out. Investigation is currently ongoing as to what happened in the fire incident during the games' Table Tennis tournament.^[34]

Environment and health

In a press statement released by Eastern Visayas delegation on May 27, their delegation confirms 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.^[35]

Track oval incident

On May 31, posted on RPN DXKS based in Surigao City on Facebook, they did not publicize any issue regarding the controversy of the substandard D.O. Plaza Main Stadium's track oval.

That incident comes after screenshots circulated online following the results of the 110-meter hurdles event and subsequent discussions related to track and field controversies.

It was a previous edition held in Cebu City who posted online about the track oval's controversy.

The said radio station denies any involvement of substandard controversy.^[36]