Ilocos norte: Ilocos Norte will host the Little League Philippines Series (LLPS) national championships from April 17 to 24, 2026, with 170 teams from across the country participating. 'This is the first time we are hosting the national championships, and our sports facilities are ready,' Ilocos Norte sports development officer Helen Domingo said Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the province was selected as the venue following the successful staging of the LLPS North Luzon regional championships last year. The tournament will bring together athletes aged 17 and below to compete in baseball and softball, with the winning teams earning the chance to represent the Philippines in the Asia-Pacific and World Series in the US.

Organized by Little League Philippines (LLP), the event aims to provide young athletes nationwide with opportunities to develop their skills, discipline, and sportsmanship through high-level competition. Domingo said hosting the tournament also helps identify promising talents, citing Gerick John Flores of Currimao, Ilocos Norte, who won the most stolen bases award at the 2024 U12 Asian Baseball Championship in Japan.

Beyond supporting athletes, the event also promotes Ilocos Norte as a growing sports hub in Northern Luzon. Established in 1939 in the US, Little League is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of baseball and softball players.