UAAP Guide: How the Season Works, Venues & Where to Watch
The UAAP — the University Athletic Association of the Philippines — is the country's premier collegiate league and, for a great many Filipinos, the sporting rivalry that matters most. Founded in 1938, it now has eight member schools, and its basketball and women's volleyball tournaments regularly outdraw professional leagues.
If you want to understand Philippine sports culture, a UAAP game is a better starting point than anything else. The student sections are loud, organised, and genuinely committed, and tickets cost a fraction of a concert.
The eight schools
| School | Commonly known as |
|---|---|
| Adamson University | Soaring Falcons |
| Ateneo de Manila University | Blue Eagles |
| De La Salle University | Green Archers |
| Far Eastern University | Tamaraws |
| National University | Bulldogs |
| University of the East | Red Warriors |
| University of the Philippines | Fighting Maroons |
| University of Santo Tomas | Growling Tigers |
The Ateneo–La Salle rivalry is the marquee fixture. Tickets for it sell out, the arenas fill, and the atmosphere is unlike any other game in the calendar.
The season, roughly
UAAP runs a season across an academic year, with the two headline tournaments at different points:
- Men's basketball — typically the second half of the year, running into the Final Four and Finals around the turn of the year.
- Women's volleyball — typically the first half of the year, and in recent seasons the bigger draw of the two.
Exact dates shift each season, and the league has adjusted its calendar several times. Check the current season's schedule rather than assuming last year's pattern.
Where games are played
| Venue | Used for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mall of Asia Arena | Big games, Finals | Largest capacity; no direct rail |
| Smart Araneta Coliseum | Big games, Finals | Best transport of any venue |
| Rizal Memorial Coliseum | Elimination games | Cheapest, closest, most intimate |
| Filoil Centre, San Juan | Elimination games | Small and loud |
| PhilSports Arena, Pasig | Elimination games | Functional, well located |
For a first UAAP experience, an elimination-round game at Rizal Memorial or Filoil is arguably better than a Finals game at MOA Arena — you are closer, it is cheaper, and the student sections dominate the room.
Tickets and prices
Collegiate sport is the best-value live event in Metro Manila. General admission for an elimination game often runs a few hundred pesos; even a good lower-box seat is well under what a mid-tier concert ticket costs.
| Tier | Typical band |
|---|---|
| General admission | ₱100–₱400 |
| Upper box | ₱200–₱600 |
| Lower box | ₱300–₱1,000 |
| Patron / courtside | ₱500–₱2,500 |
Finals and Ateneo–La Salle games price considerably higher and sell out. Buy through the official outlet for the venue — see how to buy tickets — and avoid resellers, which are as much of a problem here as for concerts.
Watching on TV and online
UAAP games are broadcast on the country's sports channels and streamed through their associated platforms. Coverage arrangements change between seasons and rights holders, so check the current season's broadcast partner rather than relying on where you watched last year.
Going to a game
- Arrive early for a big fixture. General admission is unreserved and the good sections fill well before tip-off.
- Wear your colours, or at least neutral clothing. Sitting in the wrong student section in the wrong shirt is survivable but conspicuous.
- Bring cash for concessions and small vendors.
- Standard arena bag rules apply — small bags, no outside food or drink, no professional cameras.
- Doubleheaders are common. Two games in an afternoon is normal, and one ticket often covers both. Check.
FAQ
How many schools are in the UAAP? Eight: Adamson, Ateneo, De La Salle, FEU, NU, UE, UP, and UST.
When is the UAAP season? Men's basketball typically runs in the second half of the year and women's volleyball in the first, but the calendar has shifted several times — check the current season.
Where are UAAP games played? Mostly MOA Arena, Smart Araneta Coliseum, Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Filoil Centre, and PhilSports Arena.
How much are tickets? General admission is often ₱100 to ₱400 for elimination games. Finals cost considerably more.
What is the biggest game? Ateneo versus La Salle, in any sport. It sells out.
Is one ticket good for both games of a doubleheader? Often yes, but confirm when buying.
Which is the best venue for a first game? Rizal Memorial or Filoil for atmosphere and value; MOA Arena or Araneta for the big-occasion feel.
Last verified: August 2026. Schedules, venues, ticket prices, and broadcast partners change every season — check the league's current announcements.
See where to watch live sport in Metro Manila for the arenas and the bars, upcoming basketball, or the Metro Manila venues guide.