In 1988, Ricardo "Ricky" Crisostomo of La Mancha Group International (LMGI), visited a three-day fireworks competition in Europe.

LMGI was once the leading pyrotechnics company in the Philippines, and the Crisostomo family wanted to bring the concept of such a competition to the country.

[1] It then organized the 1st International Fireworks Festival in December 2002 and the World Pyro Olympics Exhibition in March and April 2004.

[1] The first World Pyro Olympics took place in 2005 in The Esplanade at the back of the-then unfinished SM Mall of Asia in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines from December 26 to 30.

[2] Firework materials were placed in the participant's barge floating within Manila Bay, around 300 meters (980 ft) from the seawall.

The third event was postponed to the following week due to heavy rains and rough seas brought by Tropical Storm Halong (Dindo).

"[1] In 2009, La Mancha planned to move the World Pyro Olympics to Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, to be held on five Saturdays from November to December in the lead-up to the Christmas season.

[1] However, the WPO committee decided to postpone the event to early 2010, citing non-stop rains and subsequent flooding that affected the safety of the venue.

Skyglitters Enterprise of Valenzuela City was tapped as co-presenter along with Platinum Fireworks, Inc.[12] The following year, the competition returned to its former schedule.