The Men’s Volleyball World Championship Will Be Held in the Philippines—One Guest Team is a K-Pop Group
BOYNEXTDOOR headlines the opening ceremony of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, to be held in Manila this September
Spiking stars
The Philippines is spoiling its volleyball and K-pop fans: on September 12, 2025, the opening ceremony of the 2025 International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Volleyball Men’s World Championship will commence in Manila, and fast-rising K-pop group BOYNEXTDOOR will kick things off as the headliner.
The special ‘guest team’ of Sungho, Riwoo, Jaehyun, Taesan, Leehan and Woonhak will welcome legions of spectators and the 32 international teams who will compete from September 12 to 28, 2025.
There are many historic things about the games this September. It’s the first time that a K-pop group will perform at the FIVB world championship. Moreover, the Philippines is making its debut as both host and competitor for the said tournament—and the lone Southeast Asian team, at that.
According to the FIVB, the Philippines was chosen as this year’s host because of “[the country’s] emphasis on ensuring a continued growth of the event and the commitment to the development of volleyball globally.”
Thanks to this, the Philippines will see its national team in action: Alas Pilipinas, led by team captain Kim Malabunga.
More updates on the world championships can be found on their official Instagram page and website.
Photos courtesy FIVB
