Sabong in the Philippines

Sabong, the Filipino word for cockfighting, is one of the oldest popular pastimes in the country. It is a part of village festivals, family gatherings and weekends in many provinces. This page covers where it comes from, how a match is organised and how the game moved onto phones.

A short history

Cockfighting in the Philippines is older than the Spanish era. Antonio Pigafetta, who travelled with Magellan in 1521, wrote about a cockfight he saw in the islands. Under Spanish rule, cockpits became regulated places, often linked to town fiestas. The practice continued through the American period and after independence. In 1974, the Cockfighting Law (Presidential Decree 449) set rules for licensed cockpits, and local governments handle much of the licensing today.

The cockpit

A cockpit is called a sabungan. It is usually a round or oval arena with tiered seating and a small ring in the middle. Around the ring, people watch, shout and place bets with each other. On fight days the atmosphere is loud and social.

How a match is organised

• Pairing. Roosters are matched by weight and size so both sides are roughly equal.
• Handlers. Each rooster has a handler. In many fights, a blade called a tari is fixed to the leg.
• The sides. The two sides are named Meron and Wala.
• The referee. A referee, called a sentenciador, watches the fight and decides the result.
• The result. A match ends when one rooster wins, when there is a draw or when the referee cancels the fight.

Derbies and breeders

Breeding is a serious activity. Breeders raise roosters for months, choose bloodlines and train them. Derbies are tournaments where breeders enter several roosters, and the winners earn prizes and reputation.

Terms you will hear

Common words include Meron, Wala, llamado, dehado, taya and sabungero. Read them in our glossary, and see Meron vs Wala for how the two sides work on a live screen.

Sabong goes online

In recent years, live streams brought matches to phones. Players could watch from home, load credits with an e-wallet and place bets without leaving their house. It grew quickly, and so did concerns about gambling addiction and spending. Philippine authorities suspended online sabong in 2022. See online sabong in the Philippines and the legal notice for the current picture on our side.

Different views on sabong

Many Filipinos see sabong as a tradition and a source of income for breeders, handlers and workers. Others criticise it because of animal welfare and because gambling can harm families. It is helpful to know both views. This website is independent and gives information only. It does not encourage anyone to gamble.

Play responsibly

Sabong is a game of chance. Nobody can promise a win. Decide a budget, set a time limit and stop when you reach either. If gaming is affecting your money, your work or your family, please read responsible gaming and talk to someone you trust.

Sabong in everyday Filipino life

Outside the cockpit, sabong appears in many parts of daily life. Words from the game, such as dehado for the underdog, are used in normal talk about sports, politics and business. Rooster breeding supports feed sellers, veterinarians and equipment makers in many provinces. During town fiestas and holidays the cockpit is often full. This cultural weight is why the topic stays in public debate, and why it is worth understanding before you decide anything about it.

What to remember

Sabong is a centuries-old tradition, a regulated activity in licensed cockpits and a subject of real debate about animals, money and family life. Learn the terms, know the rules where you live and never bet more than you can lose. If you are only curious, reading is enough. Nothing on this page asks you to play.

Editor's note: we update this page when official rules or platform screens change, so check the date near the top.

See how it works on mobile