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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Luminaries and Life devider What to expect at Alex Eala's homecoming tennis event

What to expect at Alex Eala's homecoming tennis event

From young Filipino tennis players and celebrities to her match against Janice Tjen, here are the ticket prices, presale dates, and other details fans should know

Published Aug 28, 2026 09:26 pm
Filipinos have followed Alex Eala through television broadcasts, news reports, and clips from tournaments around the world. Some have even traveled overseas to watch her compete. Her following keeps growing with each tournament. This December, Filipino fans will have the opportunity to see her play right here at home.
Alex Eala (Photo: Tatler Philippines)
Alex Eala (Photo: Tatler Philippines)
“Alex Eala Live: Game. Set. Celebrate” will be held on Dec. 8, 2026, at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. Created and organized by Tatler Sports and Entertainment, the homecoming celebration will feature young Filipino tennis players, a celebrity exhibition match, live performances, and Alex’s headline match against Janice Tjen.
During a press conference on Aug. 28, Michel Lamunière, chairman and CEO of Tatler Asia, and Irene Martel Francisco, managing director of Tatler Philippines, shared more details about the event and what fans can expect.
“Alex was really excited because, for her, this is a homecoming opportunity,” said Irene. “People are currently traveling abroad to watch her play, so this is their chance to see her live in the Philippines.”
Here are some of the things fans can expect.
(Photo: Tatler Sports and Entertainment)
(Photo: Tatler Sports and Entertainment)
It will feature three tennis matches
The event will not be limited to Alex’s main match. “The first will feature young Filipino talents, followed by a game with celebrities, and the third will be the match between Alex and Janice,” Michel said.
The celebrity exhibition is expected to feature familiar Philippine personalities. Their identities have yet to be announced, but Michel promises an entertaining match. “They might not be as good as Alex at tennis, but they will bring passion and excitement.”
Youth development clinics, interactive fan activities, and live musical performances are also being planned.
Alex will face Janice Tjen in a potentially record-setting match
Alex’s opponent will be Janice Tjen of Indonesia, making the headline match an all-Southeast Asian contest between two young players competing internationally.
The pairing also gives regional tennis a rare spotlight in a venue of this size. The Philippine Arena has a maximum capacity of 55,000, although the number of seats available for the event will depend on its final tennis-court configuration.
The current record stands at 51,954 spectators, set during the 2020 Match in Africa exhibition between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in Cape Town. If the Dec. 8 crowd surpasses that number, Alex and Janice’s match could become the most attended tennis event in history.
Alex is involved in planning the experience
The event is not simply being arranged around Alex. She is also taking part in discussions about how the celebration will look and feel. Manila Bulletin Lifestyle asked how much input the tennis player has provided, to which Irene answered, “A lot. She is very involved in what it is going to look like and how it is going to feel.”
The complete theme and program have not been finalized, although Irene said audiences can expect Filipino cultural elements. “Nothing is final yet because we have just announced it. Rest assured that we will always take her wishes and input into consideration.”
This involvement could make the event feel more personal, giving audiences a celebration influenced by the athlete they have come to support.
Tickets will start at ₱600
Organizers say tickets will be offered at different price levels to make the event accessible to a wide audience. Prices will range from ₱600 for general admission to ₱25,000, with thousands of seats allocated to the general-admission section.
Fans may pre-register for tickets here until Sept. 6 at 11:59 p.m. Registered fans will have access to the presale beginning Sept. 7 at 12 p.m. until Sept. 13 at 11:59 p.m. General ticket sales will open on Sept. 14 at 12 p.m.
More details will be announced soon, including merchandise, performance lineup, match formats, and transportation arrangements. To know more, visit the event’s official ticketing page: https://bit.ly/AELWL26.

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