Champion Bets: Famous Sports in the Philippines to Bet On

Have you ever watched a basketball game in the UAAP, NCAA, or PBA leagues in the Philippines and seen how full and loud the crowds always get? Or been outside whenever boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has a match on, and seen how empty the streets are because everyone is indoors watching the match? Were you watching with the rest of the country as Sarina Bolden scored the first ever goal for the Philippines at the 2024 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand? These are a testament to just how dedicated Filipinos are when it comes to supporting sports. 

If there’s one other thing that Filipinos love to do to pass the time apart from watching sports, it’s to make a bet – and there are many famous sports in the Philippines to bet on! Unsurprisingly, putting those two together has led to exponential growth in the sports betting industry in the Philippines. According to Statista, there has been a roughly 4.5% growth in revenue in the online sports betting industry. The analysis shows that this growth is driven not just by local circumstances supporting the growth but also changes in user preferences. Users are  not just evolving in the sports they follow, but they are also seeking more convenient ways to place bets through mobile platforms.

Like mentioned above, basketball, boxing, and football are just some of the local favorites! There’s also volleyball, cockfighting (a.k.a sabong), tennis, American football, boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA), pool, all kinds of esports, and even motorsports thanks to the recent boom in interest of Formula 1. 

The Filipino Sports Fan’s Favorites

Now let’s take a look at some of the famous sports in the Philippines to bet on.

Basketball

Just like a lot of other things in Filipino culture, the Filipinos’ love for basketball was influenced by the Americans when it was introduced to the country. These days, you’ll see it being played in schools, streets, and community courts, making it accessible and deeply rooted in everyday life. The Philippines Basketball Association (PBA) league and NBA both have a huge fanbase, although arguably the latter even more than the former. Even collegiate basketball with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournaments can bring in quite the crowd! With high-profile players and the constant hype around these leagues, basketball has become a staple in Filipino sports – and betting – culture.

Basketball is a fan favorite to bet on for several reasons. Firstly, its fame both locally and across the globe means there is constant media coverage and accessibility to news and updates both on television and online. Having up-to-date information gives players a better opportunity to make informed decisions before betting. Secondly, basketball offers a wide range of betting options, including point spreads, moneylines, over/under totals, and prop bets, which appeal to both casual and experienced bettors. Live betting during games just adds another layer of excitement!

Boxing

The most obvious reason boxing is one of the most famous sports in the Philippines to bet on is because of the nation’s pride and joy: Manny Pacquiao! Out of 72 career fights, he has won a whopping total of 62 and even holds 12 major world titles. On his fight days, everyone stays home to watch and it’s a rare day where there are almost no cars on the road. Pacquiao truly is worthy of the overwhelming national pride he receives because he has put the Philippines on the world map. BK8 has partnered with Pacquiao as a brand ambassador, so you’re guaranteed that it’s a safe and secure website to bet on sports!

Boxing is such an exciting and dramatic game because you never really know what could happen, which is one reason why it’s such a popular sport to bet on. The popular betting options for boxing are moneyline and, of course, method of victory (KO/TKO, decision, or disqualification). Proposition bets and round betting are also well-liked when players bet on sports centered on combat, like boxing.

Football

Football, or soccer as it’s also commonly called in the Philippines, is arguably even more popular worldwide than basketball is. Football is huge in Europe, and it seems that everyone has a stake when the World Cup comes around every 4 years. The Philippine men’s national football team, known as the Azkals, has seen improved performance in recent years, boosting local interest in the sport. Even more recently, the Philippine women’s national football team, the Filipinas, made their first appearance in the Women’s World Cup in 2024 and even won their first game against hosts, New Zealand! Their successful campaigns internationally have garnered increased local attention.

Even though teams only score a few times (if at all) in soccer matches, there’s often a dramatic turn of events right at the end with penalties! With live betting options like they have on the online sports betting website BK8, betting becomes even more thrilling as players have to stay on their toes based on how the game is currently going. Many sports betting Philippines platforms also have official partnerships with big-name football clubs; BK8, for example, has partnered with Aston Villa and Burnley F.C. so even more attention is brought to football as one of the famous sports in the Philippines to bet on! Some options for betting include moneyline, over/under bets, handicap bets, goalscorer bets, and time-based bets. 

Explore Other Options in Sports Betting Online

Due to their large fan bases and extensive media coverage, basketball, football, and boxing dominate the betting scene and provide a wide range of betting options, including in-play and moneyline bets. However, exploring other betting options can introduce players to even more excitement and opportunities to win!  With their own betting markets and strategies, sports like volleyball, horse racing, and cockfighting can improve the betting experience in general. Spreading out one’s wagers not only increases the amount of action but also opens up new opportunities for fun and profit. Below are a few more famous sports in the Philippines to bet on.

• Sabong : What started in small towns across the country has now grown into a 50 billion peso industry! Even e-sabong has become so popular that the E-Sabong Bill was introduced to require tax on electronic cockfighting winnings. 
• Volleyball : Collegiate-level volleyball tournaments are also widely visited in most sports book Philippines platforms. The president of the country’s Premier Volleyball League, Ricky Palou, even argues that it’s now the top sport in terms of spectators! The heart pumping adrenaline from watching a volleyball match surely adds to the excitement of placing various bets on it.
• Horse Racing : Horse racing is a billion peso industry in the Philippines, and has even been touted as a potential avenue for boosting tourism to the country. After all, events like the Kentucky Derby in the United States is quite popular locally and this could indicate a continuously rising interest in horserace betting in the Philippines as well.

Finding Your Perfect Sports Match

Taking that first step to bet on sports can sometimes be daunting, especially if you’re unsure about which sport to begin with. Online sports betting is quite a personal journey and there are some factors to consider when searching for the best sport to wager on! The first is, of course, your knowledge of the sport; the more you know about it, the better you can make decisions about what to bet on. You can also choose based on interest, even if you don’t know too much about it. The second factor is your preferred game pace, because you might want something action-packed like basketball or something more laidback like golf. Thirdly, understand your betting style and goals, because different betting options will also depend on whether you’re a conservative or risk-taking bettor. This leads to the last factor: trial and error. This sounds scary, but it’ll be worth it in the long run once you’ve truly discovered your preferred sport and bets!

Bet on Sports Whenever, Wherever with BK8!

With such a wide array of famous sports in the Philippines to bet on, you know you’ll never run out of options for excitement on BK8! Be it basketball, tennis, football, or any other sport you’re passionate about, BK8 provides a comprehensive platform with lots of betting choices, competitive odds, and live betting opportunities. Don’t pass up the excitement of picking games, supporting your teams, and taking home large prizes. Register with BK8 today!

Conclusion

There are many famous sports in the Philippines to bet on that provide a wide range of opportunities for online sports betting enthusiasts. Among the most popular ones are basketball, football, boxing, volleyball, and horse racing. Each sports book Philippines offers a vast array of betting markets including moneyline bets, over/under totals, correct score bets, handicaps, and prop bets.  The sports betting online journey is exciting, but it is imperative that players follow responsible gambling guidelines such as placing limits, refraining from chasing losses, and keeping up with odds. Explore your options, but always wager responsibly!