Cebu City’s premier venue for basketball games is getting a long overdue makeover!
Do you know where to watch live sports in Cebu?
One of the most popular is the Cebu Coliseum, located along Sanciangko Street in downtown Cebu. This iconic stadium is one of the oldest landmarks in the city and the country’s first multi-purpose coliseum.
After more than six decades of operations, it is finally getting a much-needed overhaul in 2025.
This came after the coliseum was officially acquired by the University of Cebu (UC) in the same year. The planned improvements are mostly on its main structure: the multi-purpose court.
MODERNIZING A SPORTS ICON
According to an article in CDN Digital, the renovation started in February. They aim to finish by August, just in time for the start of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) season. (2025)
Unfortunately, the overall scale of the project could possibly delay its completion, especially since it will be done in phases. A Freeman article also reiterates that the building will not be torn down, retaining the old layout as requested by its previous owners. (2025)
After an evaluation by engineers and architects, the coliseum’s roof will be the first to be fixed because of its aged condition.
Reinforcing its structural integrity is important, especially since the structure has stood amidst several natural disasters, including earthquakes and massive typhoons.
Upon completion, they will begin installing a FIBA-standard basketball court (28 by 15 meters) inside the coliseum, with its hardwood flooring being replaced.
The current plywood court was installed around 2015, after the coliseum’s last major renovation, when it became too risky for sports because of its dilapidated flooring.
Another article from Sunstar Cebu recalls how “uneven edges” and “dead spots” were found all around the court because of moisture, termites, and poorly done patching jobs throughout the years. (2015)
Aside from this, audience members will now have better bleachers, and a centralized air conditioning unit will be added to improve convenience for viewers.
The aforementioned Freeman article recalled how several businesses opted out of hosting events at the Cebu Coliseum due to its humidity. Aside from this, the coliseum had little parking options and would occasionally get flooded during the rainy season.
There will also be brand new basketball goals and a state-of-the-art four-sided scoreboard. The building will undergo a complete overhaul of its now dated electrical system.
Aside from the basketball court, there are plans to improve its gymnastics facility in order to entice more participants to the sport.
HISTORY OF THE CEBU COLISEUM
The Cebu Coliseum was first opened on August 3, 1962 by businessman and sports enthusiast Norberto Dayrit, along with his wife Flora. Its construction cost PHP 1 million at the time, taken from a government loan.
It started as the premier sporting event venue in Cebu, being the first multi-purpose coliseum in the country with a seating capacity of 5,000. At the time, it was even more famous than the Araneta Coliseum.
One of its first events was a boxing match between Cebuano legend Gabriel “Flash” Elorde and Terou Kosaka, a day after it was inaugurated.
From 1998 to 2002, it served as the home court for the Cebu Gems, a Cebuano Lhuillier-owned basketball team in the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association.
In 2000, the coliseum became the official venue for the collegiate basketball games of CESAFI, where the best collegiate athletes from prestigious Cebu universities compete for bragging rights.
It witnessed the rise of some of Cebu’s best ballers, especially eight-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Junmar Fajardo and PBA Legend and current Vice Mayor of Cebu City Ronaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros.
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The complete overhaul of the Cebu Coliseum comes at a time when a brand new stadium ignites the interest of bringing more international sporting events to the city.
But as Cebuanos patiently wait for the SM Seaside Arena to be completed, the coliseum offers something completely different: a venue to highlight local talents.
The facility will be the newest symbol of Cebu’s strong sports heritage.
REFERENCES:
Rosal, Glendale. 2025. “Cebu Coliseum’s grand makeover in full swing.” CDN Digital.
https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/627219/cebu-coliseums-grand-makeover-in-full-swing
Magsumbol, Caecent No-ot. 2025. “Cebu Coliseum to undergo major facelift.” The Freeman.
https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2025/02/09/2420299/cebu-coliseum-undergo-major-facelift
Yocogan-Diano, Vernie. 2015. “Major overhaul, finally.” Sunstar Cebu.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/more-articles/major-overhaul-finally
