From Netflix to the Net: Why Volleyball’s Media Boom Is Just Beginning
With the VNL drawing record crowds and volleyball documentaries on the rise, the sport’s next evolution might just be in your living room.
If you think volleyball is still a niche sport with limited exposure, you haven’t been paying attention. From packed stadiums to primetime streaming, volleyball is having a moment—and media is driving it.
The 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) didn’t just raise the bar with gameplay. It raised the roof on viewership. With nearly 40,000 fans showing up in Chicago and streaming numbers climbing across platforms, we’re not watching the sport grow—we’re watching it take off.
But it’s not just live events that are capturing attention.
1. Volleyball Enters the Entertainment Era
Behind-the-scenes content, athlete vlogs, mini-docs, and global match highlights are now part of the weekly scroll for fans. A Netflix-style documentary on international volleyball stars is reportedly in development, and the rise of volleyball YouTube creators is making the sport more accessible than ever.
This shift isn’t accidental. It’s strategic.
– New fans are being drawn in through storytelling, not just scorelines.
– Young athletes are finding role models online, not just on court.
– Parents are seeing the sport as legitimate, exciting, and community-building.
2. Why This Matters for Canadian Volleyball
Visibility creates viability.
When Canadian players are featured in international matches, clips, and interviews, they stop being just “Team Canada.” They become real, inspiring, followable humans.
This matters especially for:
– Young athletes who now have clearer paths and role models
– Local clubs who can use these moments in recruiting and programming
– Coaches and parents who want to make the sport relatable and exciting
3. What Your Club Can Do About It
You don’t need a film crew or sponsorship deal to tap into this momentum. Here are three ways you can ride the media wave:
– Break Down the Big Plays: Use VNL clips in your training sessions to teach positioning, transition, or serving.
– Highlight Local Stars: Celebrate your players’ achievements online the way pros are being celebrated. Visibility inspires commitment.
– Showcase the Journey: Use Instagram stories, TikToks, or short YouTube clips to show how your players train, grow, and celebrate together.
Bonus: Make the Connection
With this kind of global energy surrounding the sport, now’s the time to get kids playing—not just watching.
Check out our Calgary and Winnipeg Summer Camps.
They’re designed for young athletes who want to train like the best, be inspired by the best, and maybe one day be the best.
Volleyball isn’t waiting in the wings anymore. It’s front and center—and the screen is just the start.
Coach Luc Tremblay is the Founder and Head Coach of Volleyball Winnipeg & Volleyball Calgary.
Luc has been coaching for over 30 years across all age levels and abilities. He leads the VISION coach development program and designed many of the training methods used in our programs.