2026 Palarong Pambansa: Guide and Updates 

Around 13,000 delegates are expected to converge in Agusan del Sur as the province hosts the 2026 Palarong Pambansa from May 24 to 31 across one city and six municipalities.

Agusan del Sur will kick off the event with the opening ceremonies on Sunday at the Datu Lipus Makapandong Governor D.O. Plaza Sports Complex in Prosperidad. The Tribalympics, a celebration of indigenous heritage, will follow on May 25 at the Datu Lipus Makapandong Cultural Center.

Demonstration and exhibition sports are also scheduled on Monday. Kickboxing, karatedo, and soft tennis are included in the demonstration events, while muay thai, sitting volleyball, and para table tennis comprise the exhibition sports.

The games proper will run from May 26 to 30.

Bayugan City, the only city in Agusan del Sur, will host badminton, elementary basketball, chess, taekwondo, wrestling, and wushu. The Municipality of Prosperidad will host athletics, 3x3 basketball, secondary basketball, billiards, dancesport, football, rhythmic gymnastics, para games, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, tennis, volleyball, and weightlifting.

Meanwhile, the Municipality of Esperanza will host boxing, while Talacogon will serve as the venue for archery, secondary girls’ basketball, and table tennis. San Francisco will host arnis, baseball, and futsal, while Rosario will stage pencak silat competitions.

Lastly, Bunawan will host aerobic gymnastics as well as the men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics events.

Many eyes will once again be on the National Capital Region (NCR), the 18-time defending overall champion. In the last edition, NCR topped the 19-region tournament with a 237-medal haul, including 117 golds, 70 silvers, and 50 bronzes.

Region IV-A finished second with a total of 181 medals built on 47 golds, 68 silvers, and 66 bronzes, while Region VI placed third with 44 golds, 54 silvers, and 58 bronzes.

—JKC, GMA News