Bacolod to host Batang Pinoy 2026, ending decade-long Visayan wait

The “City of Smiles” will take center stage as the next host of the Batang Pinoy national games, marking the tournament’s return to the Visayas for the first time since its 2015 staging in Cebu City.

After a 10-year wait for a Visayas-based Batang Pinoy meet, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairperson Patrick “Pato” Gregorio announced that Bacolod City will inherit the hosting rights from General Santos City during the closing ceremony of the games on Oct. 31.

This will be the fourth time Bacolod has organized the Batang Pinoy, including its debut as the inaugural host of the event in 1999.

Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gatasaya steadfastly acknowledged his city’s assignment to conduct the games next year, emphasizing the event’s role in unlocking potential Olympic-caliber Filipino athletes such as Hidilyn Diaz and Carlos Yulo, who were Batang Pinoy products.

The city will look to prepare in keeping on par with GenSan’s historical running of the games, as the Tuna City capital of the country sheltered almost 25,000 delegates from 188 Local Government Units (LGUs), tallying the most number of participants in Batang Pinoy history.