Set for Success

As many destinations have discovered, volleyball now extends far beyond middle school and high school competitive calendars. In fact, itís a gift that keeps on giving year-round to destinations nationwide, with school and travel programs filling venues like these.

Conway, Arkansas

The newest facility to host volleyball events is the Conway Community Center. It opened in the summer of 2025 and boasts eight volleyball courts, a concession stand, indoor swimming facility and fitness center. Additionally, the Don Owen Sport Complex and the McGee Center each offer six volleyball courts. 
 

“We host multiple youth tournaments in these facilities each year and hope that with the addition of the new community center, we can increase the size of those events and bring in new events, as well,” says Rachel Shaw, executive director, Visit Conway. “In years past, we have had to balance volleyball tournaments with basketball tournaments at our Don Owen and McGee complexes. However, with the addition of the Conway Community Center, we are able to host more volleyball events as that facility will not be used for basketball tournaments.”
 

In the winter of 2025, Conway hosted four large volleyball tournaments, all of which were put on by the Conway Juniors, whose signature event is the Conway Classic Blast. As Shaw notes, “Many of the events we host are regional, with teams coming from all across Arkansas, as well as neighboring states.”
 

Elgin, Illinois

Volleyball is a big draw in Elgin, which boasts private club volleyball and collegiate volleyball facilities for both men and women. 
 

Top Flight Volleyball Club, which has more than 10 volleyball courts under one roof, hosts club tournaments throughout the year. Judson University hosted the inaugural National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Men’s Volleyball Championship in 2025. The Spartan Event Center at Elgin Community College, home to the school’s women’s volleyball program, is available as well.
 

“Top Flight Volleyball Clubs hosts tournaments almost every weekend and Judson University will be hosting the NCCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championship in April 2026,” says Ryan Cortez, sales manager, Elgin Area CVB. “Hundreds of teams participate in tournaments hosted at Top Flight Volleyball Club. The top four teams in the NCCAA qualify to compete in the Men’s Volleyball National Championship. These tournaments bring hundreds of visitors to Elgin and have a significant impact on the local economy.”
 

Greater Wildwoods, New Jersey

The Wildwoods Convention Center is a primary venue for volleyball action. With an eye-popping 260,000 square feet, including a 75,000-square-foot sports arena with 30-foot ceilings, a 12,000-square-foot ballroom and 10 meeting rooms, this multi-purpose facility regularly hosts basketball, wrestling, futsal, soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, cheer and dance competitions. The convention center also offers full catering and concession services.
 

Natural light streams through the Teflon-coated fabric roof, with ocean views visible from the main arena and exhibit hall, lobby area and outside deck. Events also take place directly on the beach, such as Beach Ultimate, lacrosse, baseball, football, baseball, beach volleyball, field hockey and a recent beach soccer tournament with 100 fields and 20,000 players.
 

The unique location is enhanced by direct beach access, including the world-famous Wildwoods Boardwalk, with three amusement piers, three beachfront water parks, carnival games, arcades, shops and eateries stretching for 38 blocks. With more than 8,000 hotel rooms and 4,000 vacation rentals available, the Wildwoods Convention Center can host any size group or sporting event.
 

“The facility can handle any kind of sporting event with ease,” says Ben Rose, director of marketing and public relations for the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Authority. “It’s an experience you can’t get anywhere else.”
 

Janesville, Wisconsin

The 140,000-square-foot Woodman’s Sports & Convention Center, which opened in September 2025, offers eight regulation volleyball courts: four in the Robert & Delores Kennedy Convention Center and four in the Multipurpose Arena. Amenities include locker rooms, coaches’ offices, meeting/training rooms and onsite concessions, plus nearby dining and lodging options.
 

“As a newly opened facility, The Woodman’s Center is actively booking its first season of events, with plans to expand our volleyball schedule each year through partnerships with local and regional organizations,” notes Tony Thiry, general manager, The Woodman’s Center. “Our largest volleyball events are expected to attract hundreds of athletes and families, with seating for up to 250 spectators in the arena and flexible space in the convention center.” 
 

He adds that volleyball programs and events draw local athletes and teams from across the Midwest, supporting area growth and tourism.
 

“At Woodman’s Center, we’re proud to provide championship-caliber courts and amenities for every level of volleyball,” Thiry says. “Our staff is passionate about supporting sports in our region, helping athletes grow, connect and showcase their skills in a space designed for excellence.”
 

Knoxville, Tennessee

In addition to its role as a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains and its revered country music heritage, Tennessee’s third-largest city is also a popular destination for volleyball competitions. 
 

The primary facility is the 500,000-square-foot Knoxville Convention Center (KCC), managed by Legends Global. The exhibition hall has a total of 120,000 square feet, allowing up to 21 volleyball courts. 
 

For larger tournaments, additional courts can be added at the adjacent World’s Fair Exhibition Hall. This space has nearly 70,000 square feet, allowing for an additional 11 volleyball courts for a total of 32 courts across both facilities. These venues are in the shadow of the iconic Sunsphere overlooking World’s Fair Park in the heart of downtown Knoxville. 
 

The Visit Knoxville Sports Commission (VKSC) hosts a variety of volleyball events, primarily youth and high school girls’ tournaments, but there are a few boys’ events throughout the year.
 

“We have some local partners with whom we have wonderful relationships, hosting multiple events year after year,” says Chad Culver, Senior Director of Convention Services & Sports Commission, Visit Knoxville. “There are typically 10 to 12 volleyball events currently hosted per year. Our team would be open to adding more events with the right promoter partnership and dates that fit into the current schedule.”
 

Knoxville hosts volleyball events ranging from 50 teams to more than 300 teams throughout the year, and these competitions can draw from 800 to 5,000-plus spectators. “The smaller tournaments will attract local and regional teams, but the bigger ones have a very high out-of-state contingent, which is great for our local hotels, restaurants, attractions and other local businesses,” explains Culver.
 

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

This locale is a premier volleyball destination, blending world-class facilities, exciting events and family-friendly experiences. At the heart of the action is Spooky Nook Sports in Manheim, one of the largest indoor sports complexes in North America, with more than 700,000 square feet of space and an onsite hotel. 
 

Other venues include the Lancaster County Convention Center, Franklin & Marshall College, LANCO and Hempfield Rec Center.
 

The region hosts a dynamic lineup of events, from the MLK Kickoff Challenge in January and the Irish Rumble in March, to the Susquehanna Smash, one of the nation’s top grass tournaments, which drew more than 1,000 teams in 2018 and continues to grow. KRVA qualifiers, leagues, camps and showcases keep volleyball thriving year-round. 
 

“The MLK Kickoff Challenge draws nearly 500 teams each year from the Mid-Atlantic region, and the Irish Rumble Volleyball Tournament adds another marquee weekend of competition and community, complete with a Friday night recruiting showcase,” says Chris Ackerman, director of sales, Discover Lancaster. “Collectively, these events drive an enormous economic impact; single weekends can generate upwards of $6 million in visitor spending. For local businesses, hotels and restaurants, these tournaments are game changers, while for athletes and families, they are unforgettable experiences that combine world-class volleyball with all the charm Lancaster has to offer.”
 

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach has a secret weapon when it comes to hosting: The John T. Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center, named for the man who dedicated his life to the city. The facility opened in 2015 and boasts 70,000 square feet of column-free space.
 

That space can accommodate up to 16 volleyball courts, and when it does that, the venue really shines, consistently hosting tournaments with more than 100 teams, according to Jonathan Paris, executive director of sports tourism for Visit Myrtle Beach.
 

“Each year, Myrtle Beach hosts several volleyball tournaments,” Paris says. “Our largest, by far, is the Winter Bump Volleyball Classic, held over MLK weekend at the John T. Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center, the Myrtle Beach Convention Center and several overflow gyms.”
 

If needed, recreation centers and high schools can be pressed into service. The convention center can host up to 15 courts as well, and there are outdoor shorefront beach volleyball courts at Burroughs and Chapin Pavilion Place. 

Although the Sports Center has stood tall for more than a decade, it doesn’t look a day over its inaugural introduction, as crews are constantly updating, renovating and re-invigorating, from sanding the floors underfoot all the way up to new LED lights overhead. 
 

“Even though the building is 10 years old, you would never know it,” Paris points out. “They’ve done a nice job keeping it updated. They’re constantly making those capital improvements to keep it on the forefront and keep it as nice as they can.”
 

Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh continues to burnish its reputation as a hub for competitive volleyball in the Southeast. Most of the action takes place at Raleigh Convention Center and Triangle Volleyball at the Wake Competition Center. 
 

The Raleigh Convention Center has a 150,000-square-foot exhibit hall for sports plus a grand ballroom and various meeting rooms. Wake Competition Center features eight professional-grade indoor courts with a state-of-the-art orthopedic subfloor, as well as three outdoor sand courts.
 

“Raleigh currently hosts three major annual volleyball events: the City of Oaks Challenge, the Mid-Atlantic Power League (MAPL) and the Carolina Crown. Additionally, Raleigh has been a consistent host for the NCHSAA Volleyball State Championships,” says Tori Collins, director, Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance. “Discussions are ongoing regarding the potential to broaden the scope of these events or introduce new tournaments to further strengthen Raleigh’s position as a premier sports destination.”
 

The City of Oaks Challenge, a junior boys’ and girls’ tournament hosted by Triangle Volleyball Club, has been held in Raleigh since 2016, averaging 70-plus teams per year.  The MAPL tournament has been held in Raleigh since 2009 and now spans two weekends annually. Returning in March 2026 with more than 2,000 attendees per weekend, the event will generate about $1 million for each weekend of competition. 
 

The Carolina Crown, which made its debut in 2025 as the state’s first all-boys volleyball tournament, boasted 80 teams, nearly 8,000 attendees and an estimated economic impact of $2.7 million. It will be returning in 2026 to the Raleigh Convention Center.
 

Shores & Islands, Ohio

The Cedar Point Sports Center, located in Sandusky, is the premier destination for sports, events and entertainment in the Midwest, and that includes volleyball.
 

With more than 145,000 square feet of space, this state-of-the-art facility accommodates 10 basketball hardwood courts or 20 volleyball courts, a championship arena with retractable seating, a 9,500-square-foot entertainment center, onsite café and concessions, as well as meeting and event spaces.
 

“The Cedar Point Sports Center holds 10 to 20 volleyball events per year, and there’s always the hope to add more events to the roster,” says Tiffany Frisch, director of group accounts, Shores & Islands Ohio. “Volleyball events in the facility can bring in 2,000-plus athletes and more than 5,000 spectators over a weekend, with an economic impact of more than $3 million.” She adds that geographically, there are some local participants but most come from 70-plus miles away (although not necessarily from out of state). 
 

To make holding events even more enticing for owners and organizers, Frisch reports that, “Shores and Islands Ohio offers an event grant program that allows organizations to receive up to $5,000 for hosting their events in our destination.” SDM