How the Volleyball Nations League Is Fueling a Youth Volleyball Boom in North America
From sold-out arenas to hometown gyms, global momentum is fueling a new generation of players
If you haven’t felt it yet, you will: volleyball is having a moment.
From the roar of nearly 40,000 fans in Chicago during the 2025 Men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) to the Women’s Finals heating up in Poland, the VNL has officially become more than a global tournament—it’s a movement. And if you run camps, coach young athletes, or are raising a kid who dreams big, this momentum matters more than you think.
Why the VNL Is a Big Deal Right Now
– Expanded Field: For the first time, the VNL features 18 teams in both men’s and women’s divisions, widening the stage and deepening the talent pool.
– Massive Fan Turnout: With nearly 40,000 fans attending five days of action in Chicago alone, North America is proving it’s ready to embrace volleyball on a grand scale.
– Media Visibility: More games are now televised and streamed across major platforms, helping volleyball reach living rooms that once only saw basketball or hockey.
This surge isn’t just happening overseas or on pro courts. It’s showing up in real ways: more kids picking up a ball, more parents Googling local clubs, and more gym time being booked out across Canada and the U.S.
Ottawa’s Role on the Global Stage
Canada isn’t just participating—it’s hosting. This summer, Ottawa welcomed VNL matches once again, drawing thousands of fans and shining an international spotlight on our homegrown talent. Hosting these games on Canadian soil helps drive national pride, grows the local fan base, and gives young athletes a chance to see world-class volleyball up close.
What It Means for Young Athletes
Exposure matters. Seeing athletes who look like them playing on the global stage helps young players dream differently. They stop asking if they can play at a higher level and start asking how.
That shift—from hope to plan—starts locally.
– Inspiration becomes action when kids go from watching Canada face Brazil in a VNL match to practicing their serves the next morning at your camp.
– Momentum fuels participation as media coverage turns volleyball into something worth following, not just playing.
– Role models become reachable when North American players compete with the best on home soil.
How Local Programs Can Ride the Wave
– Host VNL Viewing Nights: Let kids and parents see the intensity and passion of the sport at its highest level.
– Theme Your Summer Camps: Structure a week around international drills or highlight plays from the week’s matches.
– Celebrate Canadian Players: Spotlight Team Canada athletes who once trained locally. Connect their stories to the paths your athletes are on.
Keep It Local. Make It Matter.
While the world tunes in to watch the VNL Finals this July, the next generation of stars is already warming up in local gyms. The bridge between global greatness and local opportunity has never been shorter.
So whether you’re in Winnipeg, Calgary, or anywhere volleyball is taking root, now is the time to nurture that passion.
The world stage is set.
Let’s help our athletes step onto it.
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.