The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) is the top-level professional women's volleyball league in the Philippines organized by the Sports Vision Management Group, Inc. The PVL was established in 2004 as the inter-collegiate Shakey's V-League (SVL) until it rebranded to the current entity in 2017. Prior to becoming a full-fledged professional league in 2021, the PVL was open to participation of corporate owned semi-professional clubs and non-collegiate teams backed by local governments.

The Spikers' Turf is the men's counterpart of the PVL.

History

2004–2016: Shakey's V-League

The Premier Volleyball League was established in 2004 as the Shakey's V-League. The league was founded by Sports Vision Management Group, Inc., a group led by former Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Jun Bernardino, Ricky Palou, Moying Martelino and Rhea Navarro, with Shakey's Pizza serving as the title sponsor throughout the lifetime of the SVL. Initially an inter-collegiate women's league, it expanded to include corporate teams beginning in 2011.

2017–2020: Premier Volleyball League, professional status and hiatus

The Shakey's V-League changed its name to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) starting the 2017 season. The Spikers' Turf, which was spun-off from the league in 2015, was merged back to the PVL and was rebranded as the PVL's men's division. The renaming was part of a bid to secure more sponsorship for the league. There was a plan to rename the league to the Philippine Volleyball League instead but this was abandoned due to another entity already owning the name. The order of its conference was also changed with the league beginning with the import-laden Reinforced Conference and the Open Conference being held close to the start of the UAAP and NCAA tournaments which is usually held near the year's end. Prior to this, the Open Conference was traditionally held earlier.

The PVL men's division ended with the 2018 PVL Collegiate Conference as its final tournament. The men's division reverted to the Spikers' Turf. The first tournament since the revert was the Open Conference in October 2018.

The 2020 season was indefinitely postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and there were plans to start the season with the Open Conference instead of the Reinforced Conference in September 2020 due to logistics issue of flying in imports for the latter.

In October 2020, the Philippines' Games and Amusements Board (GAB) issued a directive that players compensated for non-national team play would be considered as professionals, as well as all sporting events organized for profit. This has raised concerns regarding the status of leagues such as the PVL and its rival league, the Philippine Super Liga (PSL). The PVL in particular was concerned over the financial aspects of operating as a professional league.

In November 2020, the PVL announced that the league would turn professional starting with the 2021 season, believing it has enough women players to make the move. The league was already considering move for some time due to the collegiate league UAAP deciding to bar its rookies from playing in commercial leagues starting its UAAP Season 81 (2018-19) in anticipation that all college players would not be allowed to play in the PVL eventually. Prior to the league's professionalization, the PVL was considered as semi-professional and thus, its affairs were not supervised or regulated by the GAB. Six PVL teams—BaliPure, Banko Perlas, Choco Mucho, Creamline, Motolite, and Petro Gazz—agreed to the move of the PVL turning professional.

A new separate league called the V-League, was formed to accommodate collegiate and amateur teams which could no longer participate in the PVL due to the league's professionalization. Prior to its professionalization, the PVL hosted a collegiate conference.

2021–present: Return of the league and further expansion

Prior to the start of the 2021 season, five PSL teams—Chery Tiggo, Cignal HD, F2 Logistics, PLDT, and Sta. Lucia—joined the PVL, which rendered the PVL a "unified" professional league, leaving the PSL with only three inactive member teams.

The PVL returned in 2021 with the 2021 Open Conference, which was staged in a bubble set-up. The recurrence of an entire season began the following year. In October 2022, PVL announced the use of video challenge system for the first time in the return of the Reinforced Conference after three years.

The 2023 season saw the rebranding of the Open Conference as the All-Filipino Conference to better reflect that only Filipino players could compete in said conference. After the All-Filipino Conference, the league saw the addition of two new teams in Farm Fresh Foxies and Quezon City Gerflor Defenders, and the reappearance of Foton Tornadoes in the Filipino volleyball scene. The three teams pledged to participate in the league for at least the next three years. With the inclusion of three new teams comes with the skipping of Philippine Army Lady Troopers from joining the league due to military training to most of its players. Foton withdrew shortly after their participation in Invitational Conference because some of its players didn't get a contract renewal and they returned to the franchise's main team, the Chery Tiggo. F2 Logistics and Gerflor Defenders were disbanded after the 2023 season.

During the 2024 season, two new established teams joined the All-Filipino Conference namely Strong Group Athletics, who took over the Gerflor Defenders franchise, and Capital1 Solar Spikers. This 2024 season also saw the commencement of the league's inaugural rookie draft which aimed to enhance the league’s competitive balance of all the teams.

The Philippines PVL (Philippines Premier Volleyball League) is a highly anticipated volleyball tournament that showcases the best talent in the country. This annual event brings together top teams from all over the Philippines to compete in an intense and thrilling competition.

The tournament features both men's and women's divisions, with teams representing various provinces, cities, and universities. The Philippines PVL is known for its high level of play, with teams displaying exceptional skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

The matches are held in state-of-the-art indoor stadiums, providing a vibrant and electric atmosphere for both players and spectators. The tournament attracts a large and passionate fan base, with volleyball enthusiasts from all walks of life coming together to support their favorite teams.

The Philippines PVL not only serves as a platform for showcasing the country's volleyball talent but also as a breeding ground for future stars. Many players who have participated in this tournament have gone on to represent the Philippines in international competitions, bringing pride and honor to their nation.

In addition to the thrilling matches, the Philippines PVL also hosts various side events and activities, including fan interactions, autograph signings, and charity initiatives. These activities further enhance the overall experience for both players and fans, creating a sense of community and camaraderie.

The Philippines PVL is a must-see event for any volleyball enthusiast, offering a unique opportunity to witness the best of Philippine volleyball in action. Whether you are a die-hard fan or simply looking for an exciting sporting event to attend, the Philippines PVL promises to deliver an unforgettable experience filled with intense competition, incredible athleticism, and a celebration of the sport.