Meet the winners of our 2026 Ultimate Volleyball Venues Contest

 

The results are in, and SportsEvents’ Ultimate Volleyball Venue Contest winners are ready to serve. As nominated and voted on by our readers and social media followers, these 10 standout facilities bring far more than nets and hardwood to the court, pairing tournament-ready capacity with smooth operations, fan-friendly amenities, and destination experiences that extend beyond match point. From oceanfront escapes and downtown hubs to purpose-built sports complexes, each venue has the space, flexibility, and competitive spirit to handle big brackets, packed bleachers, and championship aspirations. Meet the winners raising the bar—and the net—for volleyball events nationwide.

#1 Virginia Beach Sports Center

Virginia Beach, Va.

Courtesy Virginia Beach Sports Center

The Virginia Beach Sports Center has earned the top spot, likely thanks to its championship-caliber infrastructure and thriving volleyball community. Spanning 285,000 square feet, the facility features 24 hardwood courts and 12 additional Sport Court surfaces, allowing as many as 36 nets to operate simultaneously. That capacity enables tournament organizers to host large-scale events efficiently while delivering an exceptional experience for athletes, coaches, and spectators.
The Sports Center has established itself as a year-round volleyball hub, hosting 15 club tournaments each season and welcoming the nation’s largest single-day high school volleyball tournament every September. As the home of the Tidewater Volleyball Association, Virginia’s largest youth volleyball club, the facility also supports the sport’s long-term growth through youth camps, clinics, adult recreational programming, and a vibrant indoor and sand volleyball community.
Located less than a mile from the Virginia Beach oceanfront, the Sports Center pairs premier competition with a destination experience, giving event planners the opportunity to deliver memorable tournaments both on and off the court.
Learn more: vbsportscenter.com

#2 Cedar Point Sports Center

Sandusky, Ohio

Courtesy Jake Schwerer/Cedar Point Sports Center

Cedar Point Sports Center has established itself as one of the Midwest’s premier volleyball destinations, combining state-of-the-art amenities with the operational experience needed to host events of every level. Located in Sandusky, Ohio, the 145,000-square-foot facility features 20 hardwood volleyball courts, including a championship setup that accommodates either two competition courts or a single showcase court with full spectator seating, providing flexibility for high-profile championships and marquee matches.
Since 2021, the venue has averaged 46 events annually, with volleyball accounting for roughly half of its calendar. In 2026, Cedar Point Sports Center is scheduled to host 49 events, including 26 volleyball tournaments spanning club, high school, and collegiate competition. Year to date, the facility has welcomed 2,400 teams, 24,400 athletes, and 44,000 spectators across 18 consecutive weekends of volleyball, underscoring its capacity to successfully manage large-scale events.
The center also serves as the home of Millennium Volleyball Club, an affiliate member of the Ohio Valley Region that emphasizes athlete development and community engagement. Beyond the courts, event organizers benefit from amenities designed to enhance the participant experience, including a full-service kitchen offering tournament favorites, fresh meal options, and gluten-free selections. With a commitment to exceptional service and first-class facilities, Cedar Point Sports Center delivers a championship-caliber experience for athletes, spectators, and event planners alike.
Learn more: cpsports.com

#3 Wintrust Sports Complex

Bedford Park, Ill.

Courtesy Wintrust Sports Complex

Wintrust Sports Complex has become one of the Chicagoland area’s leading destinations for competitive volleyball, offering a purpose-built venue designed to meet the needs of tournament organizers, athletes, and spectators. Located in Bedford Park, Illinois, just minutes from Chicago Midway International Airport and downtown Chicago, the 116,000-square-foot facility combines championship-level competition space with convenient access to hotels, restaurants, and public transportation.
Volleyball is the complex’s largest event category, with programming and operations tailored specifically to the sport. The facility regularly hosts premier volleyball organizations for multi-week tournaments and league play, welcoming thousands of athletes and spectators each season. Its flexible court layout, well-maintained playing surfaces, and experienced event staff support efficient tournament operations while creating a positive experience for competitors and families alike.
Beyond competition, Wintrust Sports Complex offers amenities that enhance the overall event experience, including a comfortable athlete lounge and an on-site family entertainment center that provides activities between matches. The surrounding village of Bedford Park offers additional conveniences for traveling teams, while nearby access to the CTA Orange Line allows visitors to easily explore downtown Chicago. For event planners seeking a centrally located venue with proven volleyball expertise, modern amenities, and strong regional accessibility, Wintrust Sports Complex delivers a complete championship experience.
Learn more: wintrustsportscomplex.com

#4 Highlands Sports Complex

Triadelphia, W.Va.

Courtesy Highlands Sports Complex

Highlands Sports Complex has established itself as a premier volleyball destination by combining high-quality competition spaces with year-round programming that supports athletes at every level. The facility features six floating maple hardwood volleyball courts, providing natural shock absorption, excellent traction, and enhanced player safety. Adjustable net systems allow organizers to accommodate a variety of age groups and competition formats, from youth leagues to regional and national tournaments.
Designed with spectators in mind, the fieldhouse offers expansive bleacher seating and a second-floor mezzanine, ensuring clear sightlines from virtually every vantage point. The spacious layout supports efficient event operations while creating an engaging atmosphere for athletes, coaches, and fans.
Beyond tournament play, Highlands Sports Complex maintains a robust volleyball calendar that includes in-house leagues, developmental programming, summer camps, and instructional classes for athletes ages five to 12. Camps are organized by age and skill level and are led by experienced coaches, creating a strong pipeline of participation that complements the facility’s tournament schedule.
For event planners, Highlands offers a combination of professional operations, high-quality playing surfaces, spectator-friendly amenities, and flexible event space needed to host successful competitions. Its commitment to athlete development, exceptional game-day experiences, and operational excellence has made the complex a trusted venue for volleyball events throughout the region.
Learn more: highlandssports.com/sports/volleyball

#5 Community First Champion Center

Appleton, Wisc.

Courtesy Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Community First Champion Center in Appleton, Wisconsin, delivers an exceptional indoor tournament experience with 164,000 square feet of versatile sports space designed for high-level competition. The facility features three competition pods, including a year-round ice rink, a fieldhouse, and a seasonal arena that transitions between ice and hardwood courts.
For volleyball events, the venue offers up to 13 hardwood courts, making it one of the nation’s top indoor volleyball facilities. Pristine playing surfaces, elevated mezzanine seating, and spacious common areas create an ideal environment for athletes, coaches, and spectators. The Mary Beth Nienhaus Fieldhouse provides four basketball courts or eight volleyball courts, with seating for more than 800 fans.
Event organizers benefit from extensive support amenities, including 10 locker rooms, three team meeting rooms, an on-site physical therapy clinic, a trainer’s room, concessions, and flexible gathering spaces. Spectators can enjoy elevated views from the second-story observation deck, while teams have dedicated areas for preparation and recovery. With exceptional facilities and tournament-ready operations, the Community First Champion Center offers a championship-caliber setting for volleyball events of all sizes.
Learn more: championcenterwi.com

#6 The Podium Powered by STCU

Spokane, Wash.

Courtesy The Podium Powered by STCU

The Podium Powered by STCU has quickly become a destination for volleyball events, combining a purpose-built competition venue with the amenities of a vibrant downtown location. Situated in the heart of Spokane, Washington, the facility gives athletes, coaches, and spectators easy access to hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and Riverfront Park, making it easy for tournaments to deliver a memorable participant experience beyond the courts.
With 16 courts available, The Podium offers a spacious competition floor, modern lighting and sound systems, premium spectator seating with excellent sightlines, flexible event configurations, and a seasoned operations team experienced in hosting high-profile events. Those features allow organizers to efficiently stage everything from youth tournaments and regional qualifiers to national championships while maintaining a professional atmosphere for athletes and fans.
The venue has also become a catalyst for sports tourism in the Pacific Northwest. Major volleyball events bring thousands of competitors and their families to Spokane each year, generating significant economic impact for local hotels, restaurants, and businesses while reinforcing the city’s reputation as a championship-event destination. By pairing first-class facilities with exceptional customer service and a walkable downtown setting, The Podium Powered by STCU continues to set a high standard for volleyball venues and provides event planners with a proven partner for successful competitions.
Learn more: thepodiumusa.com

#7 Ocean Center

Daytona Beach, Fla.

Courtesy Ocean Center

The Ocean Center is an extraordinary meeting, conventions, and event complex in the heart of Daytona Beach, one of America’s favorite beach destinations, and just steps from the magnificent beaches and rolling surf. The multipurpose facility offers more than 205,000 square feet of flexible space, including a 42,000-square-foot arena, a 93,000-square-foot exhibit hall, and a 12,000-square-foot ballroom, along with numerous dressing rooms and meeting areas that convert easily into volleyball courts, locker rooms, and practice space.
With room for up to 33 regulation-sized courts, the Ocean Center has become a go-to host for tournaments sanctioned by USA Volleyball and AAU, including the Nike Daytona Beach 100 and the Nike Florida Holiday Challenge—events that each draw more than 9,000 guests.
Just a 10-minute drive from Daytona Beach International Airport, the venue is close to major hotels and resorts, top restaurants, motorsports history, scenic golf courses, and beautiful parks, not to mention endless beach and water activities. It’s a location built to deliver a standout experience for players, staff, and guests alike.
Learn more: oceancenter.com

#8 Fargo Parks Sports Center at the Sanford Sports Complex

Fargo, N.Dak.

Courtesy Visit Fargo-Moorhead

The Fargo Parks Sports Center at the Sanford Sports Complex is setting a new standard for indoor volleyball events in the Upper Midwest. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, the nearly 400,000-square-foot facility opened in June 2024 through a partnership between the Fargo Park District, Sanford Health, and community partners, creating a premier destination for sports, events, and community gatherings.
Designed with tournament organizers in mind, the facility features 15 volleyball courts under one roof, including a championship court for showcase matches and high-level competition. A unique motorized equipment storage and setup system enables courts, nets, and event equipment to be prepared quickly and efficiently, streamlining tournament operations.
Beyond the courts, the venue offers team community rooms with refrigerators and televisions, a flexible meeting space that can be divided into three rooms, healthy concession options, and a full-service catering kitchen. Adjustable net heights and dedicated team seating areas provide added flexibility for events of all levels.
With innovative amenities, accessible design, and extensive event capabilities, the Fargo Parks Sports Center provides planners with a versatile, championship-ready venue for volleyball tournaments of any size.
Learn more: fargoparkssportscenter.com

#9 Baird Center

Milwaukee, Wisc.

Courtesy Visit Milwaukee

The Baird Center has become one of the Midwest’s premier destinations for volleyball, earning recognition through its ability to host some of the sport’s largest youth and collegiate competitions. Following its recent expansion and modernization, the downtown Milwaukee venue offers the scale and flexibility needed for major tournaments, with expansive exhibit halls capable of accommodating more than 30 courts under one roof.
That capacity has made the Baird Center the home of marquee events, including the JUNIORS Grand Slam Tournament, the JVA Brew City Battle, and the JVA MKE Jamboree, which draw hundreds of teams, elite club programs, college recruiters, and thousands of spectators from across the Midwest and beyond. The venue further elevated its volleyball profile in August 2026 when it hosted the AVCA First Serve collegiate showcase, bringing many of the nation’s top NCAA Division I programs to Milwaukee.
For event planners, the Baird Center pairs operational efficiency with a strong destination experience. Connected by skywalk to downtown hotels, restaurants, and entertainment, the venue streamlines logistics for traveling teams while giving athletes and families convenient access to the city. Its proven ability to accommodate large-scale tournaments and deliver a seamless participant experience has solidified the Baird Center’s reputation as one of the nation’s top volleyball venues.
Learn more: bairdcenter.com

#10 Foley Event Center

Foley, Ala.

Courtesy Foley Sports Tourism

The Foley Event Center has quickly emerged as one of the Gulf Coast’s premier indoor volleyball venues, offering a purpose-built facility designed to accommodate tournaments of all sizes. Located in Foley, Alabama, and operated by Foley Sports Tourism, the 90,565-square-foot venue features 12 volleyball courts on Robbins Strata-Sport flooring, providing a consistent, high-performance playing surface for athletes at every level.
Tournament directors benefit from amenities designed to support efficient event operations, including a one-touch backdrop and net system for quick court conversions, an athletic training room with treatment tables, two locker rooms, a warming kitchen, concession areas, and a media and flex room. More than 680 paved parking spaces, with overflow parking available, simplify arrivals for teams and spectators, while bleacher seating, more than 1,000 padded chairs, LED lighting, and accessible design enhance the overall event experience.
The facility’s expansive 55,395-square-foot main floor allows organizers to comfortably host large, multi-court volleyball tournaments while maintaining smooth traffic flow for participants and spectators. Supported by an experienced sports tourism team and located in a destination known for welcoming athletic events, the Foley Event Center combines modern infrastructure, operational flexibility, and Southern hospitality to create a championship-caliber setting for volleyball competitions year-round.
Learn more: foleysportstourism.com