The 2019 Southeast Asian Games, officially known as the 30th Southeast Asian Games, or the 30th SEA Games, and commonly known as Philippines 2019, was the 30th edition of the Southeast Asian Games, a biennial regional multi-sport event which was held in the Philippines from 30 November to 11 December 2019. However, due to a narrow calendar, some sports started before the opening ceremony as early as November 24.
This edition was marked by the first major decentralization in the history of the Games, with competition venues spread in 23 cities across the country and divided into four clusters; all were located on the island of Luzon (Metro Manila, Clark, Subic/Olongapo, and a fourth cluster consisting of standalone venues in Cavite, Laguna, and La Union). This was the country's fourth time to host the games, and its first since 2005. Previously, it had also hosted the 1981 and 1991 editions of the games. This edition was most notable for being the first edition to include esports, obstacle course race, kurash, sambo, underwater hockey, breaking, surfing, modern pentathlon, jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, and skateboarding; as well as having the highest number of sports in the history of the games, at a total of 56.
The hosting rights were originally awarded to Brunei in 2012, but the country pulled out days before the 2015 SEA Games due to "financial and logistical reasons."
The Philippines was previously slated to host the 2023 SEA Games but, in July 2015, it agreed to host the Games after Brunei's withdrawal (with Cambodia taking its place for 2023). However, the Philippines' hosting was left uncertain following the withdrawal of government support two years later as it planned to use the funds intended for the games for the rehabilitation of Marawi after being occupied by ISIS supporters. Thailand and Indonesia offered to host the games with the latter planning to reuse the venues used for the 2018 Asian Games. However, by August 16, 2017, the Philippine government reversed its withdrawal.
The host country, Philippines, emerged in the medal tally as the overall champion for the first time in 14 years, breaking its own medal count record in 2005, followed by Vietnam and Thailand. Several games and national records were broken during the games. Amidst numerous controversies and problems, the games were deemed generally successful with the rising standard of competition amongst the Southeast Asian nations, with its hosting being lauded by the Olympic Council of Asia for its facilities and hospitality. The Philippines planned to bid for the hosting rights for the 2030 Asian Games but was unable to submit the bid by the deadline.
Quah Zheng Wen of Singapore was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for male athletes, having won six golds and two silvers, while Nguyễn Thị Ánh Viên of Vietnam, with the same medal tally, was accorded MVP honors for female athletes. The fairplay award was awarded to Roger Casugay for saving a fellow competitor's life.
Venues[]
Competitive[]
| Venue | Location | Events |
|---|---|---|
| New Clark City Athletics Stadium | Capas, Tarlac | Opening ceremony (cauldron lighting), closing ceremony, athletics |
| New Clark City Aquatic Center | Aquatics (diving, swimming, water polo) | |
| AUF Gymnasium | Angeles City, Pampanga | Arnis, sambo, wrestling |
| DECA Clark Wakepark | Wakeboarding, waterskiing | |
| Clark Parade Grounds | Mabalacat, Pampanga | Archery, rugby sevens |
| Clark Friendship Gate | Lawn bowls | |
| Royce Hotel and Casino | Dancesport, pétanque | |
| Clark International Sports Complex | Baseball, softball | |
| LausGroup Event Centre | San Fernando, Pampanga | Judo, jujitsu, kurash |
| Luisita Golf and Country Club | Tarlac City, Tarlac | Golf |
| Manila Polo Club | Makati | Squash |
| SM Megamall Ice Rink | Mandaluyong | Ice skating (short track speed skating, figure skating) |
| Starmall EDSA-Shaw | Bowling | |
| Manila Hotel Tent | Manila | Billiards and snooker |
| Ninoy Aquino Stadium | Taekwondo, weightlifting | |
| Rizal Memorial Stadium | Football (men's) | |
| Rizal Memorial Sports Complex – Tennis Center | Tennis, soft tennis | |
| Rizal Memorial Coliseum | Gymnastics (aerobic, artistic, rhythmic) | |
| Filinvest City | Muntinlupa | Obstacle racing |
| Muntinlupa Sports Center | Badminton | |
| PICC Forum | Pasay | Boxing |
| Cuneta Astrodome | Kickboxing | |
| Mall of Asia Arena | Basketball (5x5) | |
| SM Mall of Asia Skating Rink | Ice hockey | |
| World Trade Center | Fencing, karate, wushu | |
| PhilSports Arena | Pasig | Volleyball (indoor) |
| UP Diliman Gymnasium | Quezon City | Floorball |
| Filoil Flying V Centre | San Juan | Basketball (3x3), esports |
| Philippine Marine Shooting Range | Taguig | Shooting |
| Lighthouse Marina | Olongapo, Zambales | Windsurfing |
| Malaawan Park | Canoeing/kayak, traditional boat race, dragon boat racing | |
| Subic Bay Tennis Court | Volleyball (beach), handball (beach) | |
| Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center | Muay thai, pencak silat, table tennis | |
| Subic Bay Yacht Club | Sailing | |
| Subic Gymnasium | Sepak takraw | |
| Subic Bay Boardwalk | Subic, Zambales | Aquatics (open water swimming), duathlon, triathlon, modern pentathlon |
| Travelers Hotel | Chess | |
| Kamana Sanctuary, Triboa Bay | Rowing | |
| Miguel Romero Field | Calatagan, Batangas | Equestrian (polo) |
| Iñigo Zobel Field | ||
| Tatlong Bungo, Barangay Niyugan | Laurel, Batangas | Cycling (mountain) |
| Vermosa Sports Hub | Imus, Cavite | Underwater hockey |
| Imus Grandstand and Track Oval | Football | |
| Seaside Race Track | Maragondon, Cavite | Skateboarding (downhill) |
| Tagaytay International Convention Center | Tagaytay, Cavite | Cycling (BMX, road), skateboarding |
| Tagaytay Extreme Sports Complex | Skateboarding | |
| Biñan Football Stadium | Biñan, Laguna | Football (women's, men's) |
| Centro Mall | Los Baños, Laguna | Floorball, indoor hockey |
| Sta. Rosa Sports Complex | Santa Rosa, Laguna | Netball |
| Monalisa Point | San Juan, La Union | Surfing |
Non-competitive[]
| Venue | Location | Events |
|---|---|---|
| Philippine Arena | Bocaue, Bulacan | Opening ceremony |
| Athletes Village | Capas, Tarlac | Official residence of aquatics and athletics athletes |
| Bayanihan Park | Angeles City, Pampanga | Countdown ceremony and launch |
| Clark International Airport | Port of entry | |
| Parade Grounds | Fan Zone | |
| ASEAN Convention Center | Mabalacat, Pampanga | International Broadcast Center, Main Press Center |
Broadcasters[]
| Country | Network |
|---|---|
| Brunei | RTB, Kristal-Astro |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas HDTV |
| Indonesia | MNC Group, TVRI |
| Laos | LNTV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Media Prima, Astro |
| Myanmar | MRTV |
| Philippines | ABS-CBN, TV5, PTV, GMA News TV, Cignal TV |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| South Korea | SBS, SPOTV |
| Thailand | Television Pool of Thailand |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL |
| Vietnam | VTV, HTV, VTC, VOV |