[citation needed] During the Philippine Commonwealth era, the sports complex was used as a civic area and was the site where Manuel L. Quezon was named one of the presidential candidates in the 1935 elections.

[8] On November 22, 2016, then-Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada announced that the city government is making a partnership with businessman Enrique Razon to convert the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex into a commercial center which will include a mall and cinemas.

The plan was to build-up contemporary buildings and commercial structures with modern smart technologies and amenities, as well as more greener open spaces within the property.

[11] The move was criticized by various heritage groups and athletes, even including de las Alas' surviving daughters[1] with an online petition posted on Change.org was initiated to save the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex amid several reports on the planned redevelopment.

[4][14] On August 7, 2019, both the PSC and the Manila City government (under the succeeding administration of Mayor Isko Moreno) agreed to not selling the complex.

[17][19] The renovation of the facilities inside the complex will not only used for the SEA Games, it will also used to host both future local and international tournaments from various sports and it can become home again of the UAAP, NCAA, and the PBA.