Volleyball seasons start at different times around the world, and that can seem a bit confusing, but there’s a good reason for it! Just like how some places have summer when others have winter, countries have their own schedules and weather patterns.
In some countries, it’s too cold or rainy at certain times of the year to start playing volleyball, especially for beach volleyball, where you need nice weather. Places with lots of sun might start their season earlier in the year.
Sometimes, countries have special holidays or festivals, and they want these to be distinct from volleyball games. They’ll plan the volleyball season around these events so everyone can enjoy both. In this article, we will share when the volleyball tournament season starts each year.
1. High School Volleyball Season
In high school, the volleyball season starts at the same time as the school year, around August or September. It goes until November or early December, right before winter starts. During the volleyball season, high school teams play a lot of matches against each other to see who is the best team.
At the end of the season, there is a big championship tournament called the postseason. In the postseason tournament, the volleyball teams compete to win the championship title. The volleyball season lasts from the first day of school in the fall until the leaves fall off the trees in winter.
2. College Volleyball Season
College volleyball is super exciting! It starts in the late summer, around the same time you’re getting ready for school, and goes until it’s almost winter, lasting about 4 to 5 months. For the women’s teams, the games happen in the fall, and for the men’s teams, in the spring. They can play up to 30 games in a season!
The very best teams get to compete in a big event called the NCAA tournament to see who the champions will be. Imagine playing volleyball and studying at college simultaneously - that’s what college players do!
3. Club Volleyball Season
Club volleyball means playing for a team that’s not part of school. This season can start when school does and lasts much longer, up to 6 to 9 months. Players might play between 10 and 15 games and go to a few big tournaments, too. What’s cool is that you can play club volleyball simultaneously as playing for your school. It’s a chance to play even more volleyball and get good at it!
4. Professional & Olympic Volleyball Season
Professional volleyball players are like the superheroes of volleyball - they play the sport as their job! Their season can last a long time, about 8 to 9 months, and they might play up to 50 matches. It’s different in every country, so they don’t all start simultaneously.
Olympic volleyball is even more special because it’s where players from all over the world come together to play for their countries. They work hard all year to get ready for big tournaments that decide who gets to go to the Olympics!
5. Beach Volleyball Season
Beach volleyball is all about sun, sand, and serves! In places like the United States, the season is usually during the summer months, from May to August, lasting about 4 to 5 months.
It’s a fun summer sport where you can play and enjoy the beach at the same time. There are lots of tournaments for players of all different levels, from beginners to pros, to compete and have a great time.
6. Snow Volleyball Season
Snow volleyball is volleyball’s cool cousin - it’s played in the winter on snow! The season is much shorter because of the cold, usually from December to March, about 2 to 3 months. It’s less common than other types of volleyball, but for those who love the snow, it’s an amazing way to play. Players bundle up, put on their boots, and hit the volleyball back and forth in a winter wonderland!
Is Volleyball Played at Different Times in Different Countries?
Yes, volleyball is played at different times in different countries! Think of it like this: when you’re enjoying summer vacation, kids on the other side of the world might be going to school because their seasons are the opposite of ours. So, volleyball seasons change based on the weather and when schools are open.
For example, in the United States, high school volleyball usually starts in the fall, but in other countries, it might start in the spring. Also, professional leagues in various countries plan their seasons when it works best for their players and fans. So, no matter where you are, there’s always some volleyball happening at some point during the year!
When Is the International Volleyball Season?
International volleyball doesn’t have a season like your local sports teams do because it’s played worldwide. Instead, it has different events scattered throughout the year.
Teams from different countries play in big tournaments like the Volleyball Nations League during the summer and the World Championships, which happen every four years.
Then there are the Olympic Games, also every four years, where the best teams compete for the gold medal in the summer. So, international volleyball players must be ready to go and play their best, no matter what time of year it is!
Final Thoughts
Volleyball seasons can be as different as the places where people live. If you’re near the beaches of California, you might play beach volleyball under the sunny skies in the summer. But if you’re in a country where it’s cold during those months, you might be playing indoor volleyball instead.
So, when you can spike and serve depends greatly on where you call home. We hope our guide helps you understand that volleyball season changes based on where you are. No matter when it is, volleyball is always a fun game to play and watch!
