What began as a modest inaugural competition has quickly grown into one of the biggest dragon boat events the Philippines has ever seen. The 2nd NUSTAR Dragon Boat Regatta, set to take place in Cebu City this coming September, has attracted 40 registered teams and 1,358 paddlers — more than twice the field that turned out for the event’s first edition just a year ago.
Organizers announced the milestone turnout figures at a press conference held on July 29, 2026, at NUSTAR Resort Cebu. The regatta is slated for September 19 to 20, 2026, with races to be held on a 200-meter straight course along the NUSTAR Boardwalk at Kawit Island in Cebu City.
From 20 Teams to 40 — A Rapid Expansion
The growth from last year’s inaugural staging is striking. According to organizers, the maiden edition in 2025 drew 20 competing teams and 621 registered paddlers. This year, those numbers have more than doubled, with 33 local clubs and seven international squads signing on to compete across seven racing divisions.
John Paul “JP” Maunes, president and chief executive officer of the Philippine Accessible Disability Services (PADS), said the surge in registrations went beyond what the organizing committee had anticipated.
“This is not an international competition, but we were able to attract international teams,” Maunes said, noting that the growing roster of foreign entries speaks to how quickly Cebu is establishing itself as a serious venue within the global dragon boating calendar.
Katrina Mae De Jesus, Vice President for Business Development of NUSTAR Resort Cebu, said the enthusiasm generated by the first edition was the key factor that led organizers to scale up the 2026 competition. The inaugural event drew approximately 3,880 participants and spectators over race weekend — a number that organizers described as well above their original expectations.
Three Organizations Behind the Event
The regatta is a joint undertaking of NUSTAR Resort Cebu, PADS, and the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF). The PDBF is represented by its Secretary General, Atty. Jay Pee Villanueva. Several government agencies and private sector partners have also come on board in a supporting capacity, organizers confirmed.
The collaboration between a major resort developer, a disability services organization, and the national dragon boat federation reflects the broad coalition driving the event’s ambitions — ranging from elite sport to para-athletic inclusion and community participation.
Seven Divisions Cover Elite, Youth, Corporate, and Para Athletes
The 2026 regatta will feature competition across seven divisions, designed to accommodate the full spectrum of the paddling community. Organizers said entries are expected from elite clubs, corporate teams, youth athletes, para-athletes, government agencies, and community-based groups from across the Philippines and overseas.
The full list of racing categories for the 2026 edition includes:
- Premier Open Standard Boat (DB22)
- Premier Mixed Standard Boat (DB22)
- Premier Women Small Boat (DB12)
- Premier Open Small Boat – Corporate (DB12)
- Senior-A Open Small Boat (DB12)
- 24U Open Small Boat (DB12)
- Para-Dragon 1 Open Small Boat (DB12)
The inclusion of a dedicated para-athlete division and a youth category underscores the event’s stated commitment to going beyond elite competition and making dragon boating accessible to a wider range of athletes.
PSC Champions Cebu as the Country’s Dragon Boat Hub
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Edward Hayco has previously expressed support for positioning Cebu as the Philippines’ premier destination for dragon boat competition — a goal that falls within a broader sports tourism strategy being championed by PSC Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio.
Hayco, who has been credited with building Cebu’s grassroots dancesport program from the ground up, has said that dragon boating carries substantial potential to drive both sports tourism and wider community involvement across the province. With registrations now surpassing double the inaugural year’s figures, organizers said they are confident that Cebu is cementing its place on the national and international dragon boat circuit.
Registration Requirements and Race Weekend Logistics
Teams have been reminded by organizers to complete all registration requirements well ahead of race weekend, including payment verification and scheduling of test water sessions. Paddlers who complete the registration process will receive an official race kit consisting of an event singlet and an identification card with lanyard, along with entry to the Fellowship Night and Awarding Dinner.
Accommodation for both local and international participants has been arranged through NUSTAR Hotel and Fili Hotel, according to organizers, ensuring that visiting teams have convenient lodging options close to the race venue at Kawit Island.
By the Numbers
- 40 — total teams registered for the 2026 regatta
- 1,358 — total registered paddlers for 2026
- 33 — local clubs in the 2026 field
- 7 — international teams competing in 2026
- 20 — teams that competed in the 2025 inaugural edition
- 621 — paddlers registered for the 2025 inaugural edition
- 3,880 — total participants and spectators at the 2025 event
- 200 meters — length of the straight racing course at NUSTAR Boardwalk
- 7 — racing divisions featured in the 2026 competition
Why This Matters
The more-than-twofold increase in both teams and paddlers within a single year demonstrates that competitive dragon boating in Cebu is growing at a pace that few sporting events achieve so quickly after launch. The presence of seven international teams — in what organizers describe as a non-international competition — validates the Philippine Sports Commission’s broader ambition of making Cebu the country’s foremost dragon boat destination. Beyond the sport itself, the regatta’s expanding scope, with dedicated slots for para-athletes, youth paddlers, and corporate teams, signals that the event is evolving into a significant platform for inclusive sports development and tourism in the region.
Source: Originally reported by NUSTAR Resort Cebu press conference materials and event organizers.
