The PVL rolled out a revamped All-Filipino Conference format that raises the stakes for every match from eliminations to the Finals.
A revamped competition format awaits teams in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The league is introducing a new format to keep more squads in contention deeper into the tournament while rewarding strong performances early.
Under the new system, no team will be eliminated immediately after the single round-robin elimination round, ensuring that every match remains meaningful from start to finish.
A look at the new format for the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference. | Art by Mitzi Solano/One Sports
No early exits after eliminations
All teams will first go through a single round-robin elimination round, with standings determining the path forward rather than outright eliminations.
Once eliminations conclude, the field splits into two routes: the top four teams advance to the Qualifying Round, while teams ranked fifth to 10th move into the Play-In Stage.
Qualifying Round & Play-In Stage
In the Qualifying Round, the No. 1 seed will face No. 4, while No. 2 takes on No. 3.
The winners of these matchups earn direct berths to the semifinals. The losing teams, however, are not eliminated, as they drop into a crossover phase against Play-In winners for a second chance to advance.
This gives teams an incentive to secure wins in the eliminations, as they get extra chances to stay in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Play-In Stage features six teams divided into two groups.
Group A consists of teams ranked No. 6, No. 7, and No. 10, while Group B includes No. 5, No. 8, and No. 9. Each group produces one winner.
The fifth- and sixth-ranked teams receive a built-in advantage by waiting for the winners of their respective groups, setting up crossover matches with the Qualifying Round losers. The winners of these crossover games claim the remaining semifinal slots.
Sweep bonus and semifinal format
A team that sweeps the elimination round is rewarded with an automatic berth to the semifinals, bypassing the Qualifying Round entirely. In this scenario, the fourth seed automatically advances to await the Play-In winner.
The semifinals will be contested in a single round-robin format, with a rubber match to determine final rankings in case of ties.
Best-of-three finals to decide champions
Both the championship series and the bronze medal match will be played in a best-of-three format, placing a premium on consistency and depth as teams vie for the title.
With multiple paths to advance and no immediate eliminations, the new PVL format will likely make for some dramatic moments in the coming weeks and months.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.