FILIPINA tennis star Alexandra Eala will return to the Philippines for a special homecoming event this December where she will face fellow Southeast Asian standout Janice Tjen.
Dubbed “Alex Eala Live: Game. Set. Celebrate,” the event is scheduled for December 8, 2026 at the Philippine Arena in Ciudad de Victoria, Bulacan.
The headline match will pit Eala against Tjen, with ticket prices starting at P600.
Organizers said the event is intended to celebrate Eala’s rise on the international tennis stage and will give Filipino fans a chance to see the 21-year-old compete live in the country after years of representing the Philippines at tournaments overseas.
“I think it’s very celebratory,” Tatler Philippines managing director Irene Francisco said when asked about the event’s overall theme.
Francisco said Eala herself is excited about the homecoming, particularly as many Filipino supporters have traveled abroad to watch her matches.
“She was really excited as well because for her, it’s like a homecoming opportunity. People right now are going abroad to watch her play, so this is a chance to watch her play live in the Philippines,” Francisco said.
Eala will also have a significant role in shaping the event, with organizers saying they are taking her preferences and suggestions into consideration.
“She’s very involved in what it’s going to look like and what it’s going to be,” Francisco said, while noting that specific details have yet to be finalized.
The event is being organized by Tatler Asia through its Sports and Entertainment arm. Francisco said the group has previously staged major sporting events, including a tennis exhibition involving world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Dubai last year, as well as football and basketball events.
The Philippine edition marks Tatler’s first major sports event of this kind in the country, following its launch of Tatler Golf earlier this year.
Francisco also indicated that the company could explore similar events featuring other Filipino athletes in the future.
“If the opportunity presents itself, yes,” she said when asked about the possibility of staging events for athletes such as Olympic gymnastic champion Carlos Yulo and pole vaulter EJ Obiena.
While the organizers are still working on the final production, Francisco said fans can expect an event built around celebrating Eala and her achievements rather than simply replicating the atmosphere of a Grand Slam tournament.
Pre-sale registration for “Alex Eala Live: Game. Set. Celebrate” is open through September 6 at 11:59 p.m. via TicketWorld.
The pre-sale period will run from September 7 at noon through September 13 at 11:59 p.m., while general ticket sales will begin on September 14 at noon.
Further details, including the celebrity tennis lineup, entertainment program and match format, are expected to be announced by the organizers. (Adrian Co)
