Aboitiz Football Cup Kicks Off Its Season 24 with Nationwide Expansion and Sustainability Drive

The Aboitiz Football Cup (AFC), the longest-running grassroots football league organized by Aboitiz, officially launched its season 24 on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Zubuchon, Pueblo Verde, MEPZ II, in Lapu-Lapu City. 

This season marks a significant return to Cebu after a seven-year hiatus and introduces an exciting nationwide expansion with new regional events in Luzon and Mindanao.

Hosted by the Aboitiz Foundation, this year’s AFC will commence with an opening ceremony in Cebu on September 14, 2024, in partnership with Aboitiz InfraCapital and the Central Visayas Football Association (CVFA). The tournament in Cebu will take place across several venues, including the newly rehabilitated football field at the Cebu City Sports Center, Don Bosco Technical College (DBTC)-Cebu, The Dynamic Herb-Borromeo Sports Complex, University of San Carlos, and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu.

The details of the event were shared by CVFA President Rodney Orale, Aboitiz Foundation President Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, Aboitiz InfraCapital Head of Communications, Marketing & Branding Arline Adeva, and Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines (CCBPI) Head of Corporate, Jorenz Tañada.

“After a seven-year break, the Aboitiz Football Cup returns to Central Visayas, reigniting the passion for the beautiful game and bringing the region together again,” said Engr. Orale.

The tournament will feature 14 categories, ranging from players under age 6 to those in the 45-and-above age group. Matches will be held on successive weekends, culminating in the closing ceremony in February 2025.

In addition to the Cebu leg, the AFC will host regional football festivals in Tarlac, Batangas, and Davao, with the support of Aboitiz InfraCapital and its business units, AIC Economic Estates and Apo Agua. 

The top two teams from each of these regions will have the opportunity to compete in a special exhibition match in Cebu at the end of the season.

Tournament Schedule:

Cebu: Kick-off on September 14, with matches on successive weekends until the closing ceremony in February 2025.

Tarlac: October 5-6 and October 12-13.

Davao: October 26-27.

Batangas: November 9, 16, 23, 30 (Bonifacio Day), and December 7.

This season also marks the introduction of the “Wasteless Campaign,” a sustainability initiative in collaboration with Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI). This campaign integrates CCBPI’s “Tapon to Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo!” program, which encourages the collection and recycling of clear PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles at designated drop-off points.

According to Tañada, the “Tapon to Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo!” initiative is a nationwide effort to support community waste management by establishing collection hubs for recyclable PET plastic packaging. The program also contributes to PETValue Philippines, the country’s first bottle-to-bottle, food-grade recycling facility—a joint venture between CCBPI and Indorama Ventures.

Hontiveros-Malvar, who also serves as Chief Reputation and Sustainability Officer of Aboitiz Equity Ventures also said that throughout the league, participating teams will commit to collecting a specific volume of post-consumer clear PET plastic bottles, ensuring that these materials are properly recycled. Teams and participants are also encouraged to share their waste management activities on social media, highlighting their efforts to create cleaner and greener communities.

“We are excited to bring the Aboitiz Football Cup back to Cebu and to expand it across the country, reaching more young athletes and communities. The integration of the Wasteless Campaign this season underscores our unwavering commitment to sustainability and collective action. By combining sportsmanship with environmental stewardship, we aim to inspire a new generation of Filipinos to take an active role in preserving our planet,” said Hontiveros-Malvar.

The 24th season of the AFC promises not only thrilling football action but also serves as a powerful platform for promoting environmental sustainability. The Aboitiz Football Cup continues to be a beacon of grassroots sports development, uniting communities through exciting games while making a positive impact on the environment.

For more information, please visit and follow their official social media channel: Aboitiz Football Cup Official Facebook Page. (WITH PR)