The proposed amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws were submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission for approval, and were eyed for implementation in time for the opening of the 80th season of UAAP later in 2017.

In August 2017, the UAAP Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Michael Alba of the Far Eastern University, announced the appointment of Rene Andrei Q. Saguisag, Jr., as the Association's first Executive Director.

The opening ceremony of the UAAP Season 80 was held on September 9, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

With the season's theme, "Go for Great", the ceremony gave tribute to its long list of athletic legends.

[8] Started with various performances from students and a live band, the ceremony's highlight was the parade of athletes joined by "UAAP greats" from each school.

Among the greats who represented their respective schools were Ateneo's Alyssa Valdez and Rico Villanueva; NU's Danny Ildefonso, Ray Parks and Christine Patrimonio; UP's Ronnie Magsanoc, Joe Lipa, and former varsity volleyball player Congresswoman Pia Cayetano; FEU's Glenn Capacio, Terrence Romeo and Rachel Anne Daquis; UST's Aric del Rosario, Dylan Ababou and Cyrus Baguio; UE's Tisha Abundo; Adamson's Queeny Sabobo, and Ana Santiago; and DLSU's Renren Ritualo and Marielle Benitez.

The UAAP Season 80 seniors division basketball tournament began on September 9, 2017, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Filoil Flying V Centre serves as the alternate venue (on the games on October 15 and 22) when the MOA Arena and Araneta Coliseum are unavailable.

The UAAP expanded its number of tournaments by holding 3×3 basketball games in the men's and women's divisions as a demonstration sport in Season 80.

3×3 basketball may be reclassified as a regular sport next season after the positive responses from member schools who all fielded a team.

National University athletic director Chito Loyzaga and Sports Vision chairman Moying Martelino announced a partnership that resulted in the UAAP Season 80 boys and girls volleyball games being played at FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan using the facilities of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).

The UAAP wanted a good venue to develop young high school volleyball players.

The FilOil Flying V Centre gives young and promising high school volleyball players a venue where they can perform at their very best.

On Sundays there were four boys matches starting at 10:00 a.m. and a lone girls game at 8:00 a.m. National University is the tournament host.

The UAAP Season 80 softball tournament began on February 1, 2018 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate Manila.

The UAAP Season 80 street dance competition was held on March 11, 2018 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The UAAP Season 80 closing ceremony was held at the FEU Auditorium, in the university's main campus in Morayta.

The UAAP has also been giving out special citations to student-athletes who excel in their academics and some who represent the country in local and international competitions.

[14] The closing ceremony also featured the turn-over of the flag of the UAAP to Season 81 host, National University.

For the 2nd straight season since its broadcast deal renewal, ABS-CBN Sports provided television and online coverage for all UAAP events.