ArenaPlus, NBA Team Up to Bring Filipinos Closer to the Game

ArenaPlus and the NBA are coming together at a time when basketball in the Philippines is already at a fever pitch.

With the 2026 NBA Playoffs commanding the attention of fans across the country, ArenaPlus’ newly announced official partnership as the NBA’s first Official Betting Partner of the NBA in the Philippines feels like a timely move into the center of that excitement.

The collaboration points to a broader effort to shape how Filipino fans experience the NBA through digital engagement, interactive campaigns, and localized activations.

For ArenaPlus CEO Erick Su, the moment made immediate sense.

“The timing felt very natural for us,” Su said in an exclusive interview with ALL-STAR Magazine.

“The 2026 NBA Playoffs are one of the most exciting moments in basketball, and it’s when fan interest and engagement are at their highest.”

For a brand looking to deepen its connection with local basketball culture, the playoffs offered the biggest possible stage.

Su said ArenaPlus wanted to show up in a way that went beyond simply being present.

“As the #1 PAGCOR-licensed online sportsbook in the Philippines, it was important for ArenaPlus to be present at that moment in a way that’s meaningful and relevant, not just as a platform, but as part of how fans experience the game,” he said.

That thinking reflects how the partnership is being positioned—as a fan-focused experience that taps into the energy of the NBA, beyond just the Playoffs.

At the center of that approach is the Filipino basketball fan. According to Su, this partnership is meant to make that connection feel more immediate and more participatory.

“For Filipino fans, this partnership means being closer to the NBA in ways that elevate how they experience the game,” he said.
“It’s no longer just about watching, it’s about engaging, making your own calls, and being part of the conversation around every matchup.”

That fan-first idea also shapes what ArenaPlus says is coming next. The company is pointing to a wider mix of experiences that extend across its platform and into the community around it.

“What we’re focused on is creating a more complete fan experience,” Su said. “This includes in-app engagement, where fans can follow games more closely, access insights, and interact with a growing community of sports fans.”

ArenaPlus is already seeing that kind of engagement on its platform.

“Today, we already have over 500,000 active users monthly who are discussing matchups, sharing perspectives, and staying connected to the game even beyond the final buzzer,” Su said.

That level of activity gives the company a foundation to build on as it rolls out more NBA-related experiences for the Philippine market.

Among the first of those are interactive playoff campaigns designed to tap into the instincts of fans who follow every series, every adjustment, and every big performance.

“We’re also introducing interactive campaigns like the NBA Playoffs MVP: Battle for the Most Valuable Predictor, including the ₱100 Million MVP Bracket,” Su said.

“These are free-to-play experiences designed to let fans participate using their own basketball knowledge and instincts.”
In a country where playoff debates can take over group chats, social feeds, and fan conversations, that kind of participation feels like a natural extension of existing fandom.

Su also said fans can expect the partnership to become more visible across ArenaPlus platforms in the months ahead.

“Through this partnership, fans will start to see NBA-themed experiences across ArenaPlus platforms, along with localized activations and digital experiences designed specifically for Filipino fans,” he said.

He added that the rollout will also include “more localized experiences, from on-ground activations to opportunities to access exclusive NBA merchandise and unique fan moments that bring them closer to the league.”

Taken together, those plans suggest that ArenaPlus is aiming to build a more immersive version of sports entertainment for its users, one that blends together basketball culture, digital engagement, and community interaction into one larger ecosystem.

“This partnership is a key step in how we see the future of sports entertainment evolving,” Su said.

“For us, it’s not just about providing a platform, it’s about building an ecosystem where fans can be closer to the NBA.”

For ArenaPlus, partnering with one of the world’s biggest sports leagues is also a way to scale that vision while keeping it rooted in local fandom.

“The NBA partnership allows us to elevate that vision by working with one of the most recognized sports leagues globally, while tailoring experiences specifically for Filipino fans,” Su said.

Looking ahead, Su said the focus will remain on deepening that bond between fans and the game.

“Over the next few years, our focus is to continue building that connection, making the experience more immersive, more engaging, and more aligned with how fans today follow and interact with the game,” he said.

In the Philippines, where the NBA has long held a special place in everyday sports culture, that goal is likely to resonate.

ArenaPlus and the NBA may be rolling out this partnership in the lead-up to the Playoffs, but the larger idea reaches beyond a single postseason run.