Key Takeaways
A National Framework for a Grassroots Game
USA Volleyball is bringing structure to one of the sport’s fastest-growing segments. The organization announced the USA Volleyball Grass Tour, a season-long circuit that connects local grass volleyball tournaments across the country under a single national umbrella.
The model lets existing events maintain their local identity while gaining access to USA Volleyball marketing support, operational resources, and national ranking points. Tournaments on the tour will award bids to the national championship based on final placement. Open registration will also be available, but bid winners receive exclusive championship benefits.
Participation Numbers Back the Investment
The timing lines up with real growth. According to the 2025 SFIA Topline Report, outdoor volleyball participation has jumped 88% since 2020. Adult participation has nearly doubled over the past five years, driven by demand for accessible, community-based outdoor sports.
That trajectory gives USA Volleyball a clear reason to formalize what has largely been a fragmented tournament landscape. Rather than building from scratch, the organization is layering national infrastructure on top of events that already draw strong local followings.
The 2026 Schedule Takes Shape
The inaugural tour features 12-plus events running from April through the summer, with the national championship closing out the season in fall 2026. Stops include the West Texas Dig Fest in Abilene (April 11-12), the Fresh Coast Champions Cup in Milwaukee (June 6-7), the Waupaca Boatride in Oshkosh, Wisconsin (July 9-12), and the Orange County Crown in Huntington Beach, California (July 18-19).
Formats vary by event but include triples, quads, doubles, coed, reverse coed, masters, and juniors divisions. Several tournaments also incorporate youth clinics and recreational formats.
“We are thrilled to bring the unmatched energy of our championship events to the grass game,” said USA Volleyball President and CEO John Speraw. “We’re protecting what makes this community so special while delivering the high-level experience our athletes deserve.”
What This Means for Youth and Amateur Sports
The Grass Tour also introduces a player recognition program designed to crown the top grass athletes across genders, divisions, and disciplines. That kind of visibility could help elevate grass volleyball’s profile alongside more established formats like indoor and beach.
For tournament operators, the affiliation model offers a low-friction path to national exposure without giving up control of their events. For USA Volleyball, it creates a centralized pipeline that could eventually support sponsorship, media, and membership growth tied to outdoor play.
Additional tour events and championship details are expected to be announced in the coming months.
via: USA Volleyball
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