Top breeders aim for the biggest prize in the "Olympics of Cockfighting" when the 2024 World Slasher Cup kicks off on Monday, Jan. 29, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

For its 61st edition, the weeklong tournament will draw all the major players in cockfighting with Filipino and foreign fans also expected to flock the historic venue until the finale on Feb. 4.

“The 2024 World Slasher Cup 1st Edition promises to be filled with explosive face-offs and adrenaline-pumping bouts that will surely thrill all cockfighting fans,” said Uniprom COO Irene Jose.

“We’re excited to see all sabong fans out there come together at the Big Dome for the Olympics of cockfighting,” she added.

Around 200 participants will plunge into a two-day elimination round on Jan. 29 and 30, followed by semifinals on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. There will be a one-day break on Feb. 2, then the Pre-Finals event on Feb. 3, and the much-awaited Grand Finals on Feb. 4.

Last season, two were hailed as champions in Jose Panganiban Jr.'s Infiniti Gold 6-Cock Derby June 21 Manila Arena-2 and partners Pablito Gregore and Dennis Lumpay's 22GF/Ormoc Joe with identical 7.5 points.

The co-winners were Tata Gov/Tata Rey, Fiscal Moises Villanueva, Eddie Gonzales, Jon Jon Cano, Frank/Guam Boys/Joey Melendres, and Nene Araneta who accumulated seven points each while Bebot Uy and Patrick Antonio listed 6.5 points while Daday Siochi/Raymond Dela Cruz's Old Model/SN.