The Premier Volleyball League is once again bringing volleyball closer to the fans through the PVL On Tour. Here’s what to expect for this year.
Fans across various provinces will get the chance to see their volleyball idols in the flesh through the 2026 PVL On Tour starting this July 8 in Ilagan City, Isabela. ZUS Coffee faces Akari on opening day, followed by a clash between Creamline and Nxled.
This follows a successful staging in 2025, which held games across Vigan, Passi, Candon, Montalban, and Cebu before holding the postseason back in Manila.
“The PVL On Tour is our way, together with the teams, of bringing the game closer to our fans during the preseason. It allows supporters from different parts of the country to experience PVL volleyball firsthand, while giving our teams valuable opportunities to build chemistry and prepare for the season ahead,” PVL control committee Sherwin Malonzo said.
A number of changes have been implemented for this year’s On Tour. Here’s what you need to know.
More stops added
After the opener in Ilagan, the On Tour heads to Batangas City on July 11, before moving on to Vigan in Ilocos Sur. Come July 25, Mindanao-based fans get a dose of volleyball action in Polomok, South Cotabato.
Following a stop in Santiago, Isabela, on August 8, the league will hold its second Mindanao stop on August 15 in Lanao del Norte. Preliminary rounds then conclude on August 22, with the venue yet to be determined.
All-to-play rule, but…
For this year, an “all-to-play” rule will be implemented, meaning that all 14 players will receive their playing time. All players must see action by the end of Set 2, and are required to participate in at least three rallies before the end of the frame. Coaches will have full discretion over their lineups, with modified substitution rules remaining in effect.
An all-to-play rule will favor the league’s young stars, especially rookies like Barbie Jamili and Jonna Perdido being part of veteran-laden squads. Alas Pilipinas stars are also on loan for national team commitments, such as the SEA VCup and the Asian Games, giving teams more flexibility to experiment with their lieups.
Cash prizes and the premier ball
In a bid to increase competitiveness, winning teams will now get a P100,000 cash prize in each PVL On Tour match, while the losing side still takes home a modest P50,000 incentive.
First introduced in the All-Star game, the Premier Ball system is also in play, which gives two points to a team that wins an ensuing rally. The special-colored ball can be requested at the service line to replace the usual game ball, and can only be activated once per set.
But according to the league, the Premier Ball cannot be used in end-of-set situations. In Sets 1-4, the special ball is only available until competing teams reach 22 points. Come Set 5, the same rule is applied once either side reaches 12 points.
Check out the full PVL On Tour schedule here.
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2026 PVL On Tour is the Premier Volleyball League’s preseason series bringing games to provinces outside Manila. It begins July 8 in Ilagan City, Isabela, with ZUS Coffee facing Akari, followed by a match between Creamline and Nxled.
The all-to-play rule requires all 14 players on a team’s roster to see game action. Every player must play by the end of Set 2 and take part in at least three rallies before that frame ends, though coaches retain full discretion over lineups.
The Premier Ball is a special-colored ball a team can request at the service line, awarding two points if the requesting team wins the next rally. It can be activated once per set but cannot be used once a set reaches 22 points, or 12 points in Set 5.
Winning teams receive P100,000 for each match played during the 2026 PVL On Tour, while the losing team still takes home P50,000. The incentive is meant to raise competitive stakes during what is otherwise a preseason exhibition series.
After opening in Ilagan City, the tour moves to Batangas City, Vigan in Ilocos Sur, Polomok in South Cotabato, Santiago in Isabela, and Lanao del Norte, with the preliminary round finale on August 22 at a venue still to be announced.
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