Approximately 20,000 attendees are expected at the PHL hot air balloon fiesta
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said the hot air balloon event that will be held during the Valentine’s weekend in Tarlac is estimated to attract 20,000 people, which will boost the province’s economy.
“We expect, if the weather doesn’t allow it, then it will be better, six or seven thousand [attendees per day],” BCDA Vice President for Investment Promotions and Marketing Erwin Kenneth R. Peralta told reporters on the sidelines of the forum on Thursday.
The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF), now in its 26th year, will be held at New Clark City (NCC) in Tarlac on Feb. 13 to 15, 2026.
In this event, there will be 22 specially shaped balloons that will be flown by international pilots from the United States, United Kingdom, Macedonia, Brazil, Switzerland, Belgium, among others.
From its launch in 1994 until 2018, PIHABF was held in Clark, Pampanga.
“It used to be about 10,000 a day, that was a historic number – more or less about 30,000 in three days… Because the 10,000 number was in Clark, in the middle of Clark,” said Mr. Peralta.
“We hope it will go as far as Clark Freeport Zone to New Clark City. The exit points we have opened and the roads we have built ensure that everyone can access by car and public transportation,” he added.
BCDA will also provide free transportation services at SM City Clark, Clark International Airport, Bamban Cloverleaf, and Capas Municipal Hall from 5:00 AM to 10:30 PM to attract more participants.
“Transport was an important factor, that was a big problem in the past. Now, we are providing free services,” he said.
“They need to ride, because they can buy tickets on site. Some still don’t have tickets because they don’t know how to buy online,” he added.
Beyond the festival, PIHABF is also seen as a way to help small businesses in the province.
“Food stalls, the number of jobs created this weekend alone is huge… We will have a lot of food from Tarlac for you to hear and taste. It gives jobs to restaurant owners,” he said.
“There are also hotels in Capas that they can stay with that are close compared to the Clark Freeport Zone.
The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporation has warned motorists of traffic jams during the three-day event scheduled from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
BCDA SPORTS TOURISM
Along with hosting the country’s longest-running air sports event, the BCDA revealed that it will focus on sports tourism by promoting the NCC as the sports capital of the Philippines.
“As you can see, our stadium is internationally recognized… We also have an expansion, cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission for a 20-hectare tennis area, to develop more sports in New Clark City,” said Mr. Peralta.
“It took us 20 years or more to develop BGC (Bonifacio Global City) so, it will be a long time, but I hope that in my lifetime, our lifetime, we could see the complete development of New Clark City,” he added.
The BCDA, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DoT), is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in March regarding sports development initiatives. – Almira Louise S. Martinez
