Mandaluyong city: Defending UAAP champion National University (NU), reigning NCAA champion College of Saint Benilde (CSB), and last year's V-League champion Far Eastern University (FEU) banner the men's field in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge, which kicks off at the newly constructed Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City on Saturday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the tournament, now in its 22nd year, has consistently served as an early test for varsity squads preparing for their respective collegiate tournaments. The University of Santo Tomas (UST), De La Salle University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Mapua University, and Arellano University complete the men's field.

Meanwhile, in the women's division, University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) semifinalists UST Golden Tigresses and the Adamson University Lady Falcons, along with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champion Letran Lady Knights and runners-up CSB Lady Blazers, are the headline teams. The University of the East Lady Warriors, Perpetual Help Lady Altas, San Beda Lady Red Spikers, and Arellano Lady Chiefs are also joining the competition.

The preliminary round will feature all teams competing in a round-robin format, with two men's games and two women's games played on every playdate. The top four teams in each division will advance to the best-of-three semifinals, where the top seed will face the fourth-ranked team, while the second- and third-placed squads square off.

The finals will also follow a best-of-three series format, while the battle for bronze will be decided in a winner-take-all match.