When Does Volleyball Season Start? A Comprehensive Guide of What Season Is Volleyball Played At All Level Of Play (2024)

When Does Volleyball Season Start? Volleyball is one of the most popular sports in high schools and colleges across the United States and around the world. Players and fans alike look forward to the beginning of the volleyball season each year. But when exactly does the volleyball season start? In this comprehensive guide, we will look at volleyball season start and end dates for volleyball at all levels of play – from youth leagues to pro tournaments. Whether you are a player getting ready or a fan wanting to watch the action, read on to find out when you can expect volleyball season to begin!

When Does Volleyball Season Start?

The exact timing of the volleyball season can vary quite a bit depending on the level of play. The Season of High school and college volleyball starts in the fall sports season, with matches starting up in August or September. Club volleyball teams may have a season that runs through the winter and spring as well as the fall. Pro indoor leagues run on a tighter schedule, with seasons sometimes lasting only a few months. Outdoor beach volleyball tournaments happen year-round thanks to the beach setting. Let’s take a closer look at start dates for the major levels of volleyball competition.

When Does the High School Volleyball Season Start?

For most high school volleyball season typically begins in August or early September. Many high schools will have tryouts and preseason practices starting in mid-August, with the first matches happening in the last week or two of the month. The exact high school volleyball season start date can vary slightly depending on the region and athletic association governing the school.

Most state high school athletic associations recognize volleyball as a fall sport, so the season generally aligns with the beginning of the academic year in August and September. For example, the 2022 high school volleyball season in Texas began on August 1st, while the Illinois high school volleyball season started on August 8th. The season may start a little later in some northern states where schools reopen later in August.

High school volleyball season lasts around 3 months from the start date, with the last matches and championships taking place in October or November before winter sports begin. Teams will play regular season matches throughout the fall against schools in their district or conference, culminating in playoff tournaments to determine regional and state champions. So in most states, the high school volleyball season runs from August through October or early November.

When Do Middle School Volleyball Season Starts?

The season of middle school volleyball season usually varies depending on the region and school district. However, it commonly aligns with the academic calendar, often starting in late august or early september and continuing into the early winter months. Middle school volleyball seasons ends typically in span of several months, allowing students to participate in practices, matches, and tournaments throughout the school year. Specific start and end dates may vary from one school district to another, so it’s best to consult with your school’s athletics department or coaching staff for precise information regarding the middle school volleyball season schedule.

When’s the Start of the College Volleyball Season?

The college volleyball season follows a similar schedule to the high school season, as NCAA volleyball is classified as a fall sport. Preseason practices at most colleges and universities will begin in mid-August, ramping up to the first games near the end of the month.

College Volleyball is Typically starts at September and lasts around October as teams battle for spots in their conference championship tournaments in November. The NCAA volleyball tournament then continues through December, ending with the NCAA National Championship match in mid-December.

So the college volleyball season typically spans from late August through mid-December, with the bulk of regular season games packed into the September-November timeframe. Some conferences may start regular season play a little earlier in August. And a handful of southern schools compete in what the NCAA classifies as “non-traditional” fall seasons that start and end earlier.

College volleyball teams in NCAA Divisions II and III follow similar season timelines as Division I teams. The difference is their national championship tournaments wrap up earlier in November and December. But the beginning of the season in late August into September is comparable across most college volleyball divisions.

When Do Club Volleyball Seasons Begin?

In addition to high school and college volleyball, many young players also compete with club volleyball teams. These more elite club programs provide year-round coaching and training at a higher level than typical school teams.

The competitive club volleyball schedule actually consists of multiple shorter seasons throughout the year. Here’s a quick rundown of typical club volleyball season start dates:

Fall – Many clubs have a fall season running from September through November. Tryouts may begin as early as late July or August for some clubs. The fall season culminates in major national tournaments like the AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships in June and USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships in July.
Winter – Some clubs run a winter season from November/December through February. Winter club play includes tournaments like the JVA Rock ‘N Rumble and Lone Star National Qualifier.
Spring – The main club season when most major events take place. Starts in February or March, ending in May/June. Key tournaments are the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships and AAU championships.
Summer – A short 1-2 month summer club season from June through July. Allows teams to play at final national events they may have qualified for.

So while high school and college volleyball align with the fall academic schedule, competitive club volleyball runs nearly year-round with several back-to-back short seasons. The major club seasons are the fall, spring, and summer, when teams build up to the biggest national tournaments.

When Does the International Volleyball Season And Professional Volleyball Season Start?

At the professional and international level, indoor volleyball seasons are much shorter than school seasons, generally running from October through April or May. This condensed schedule allows elite players to compete in professional national leagues and continental tournaments during the traditional volleyball season, while also participating in national team competitions in the summer months.

International and professional volleyball season's start. — International And Professional Volleyball Season’s Start

Here are some key start dates for top pro and international volleyball leagues/events:

FIVB Volleyball Nations League – International tournament held May through July
Italian Lega Volley Serie A1 – Runs October through May
Russian Volleyball Super League – October to May season
Turkish Volleyball League – Begins in October, ends in April
Brazil Superliga – Starts in October, finishes in April
NCAA Women’s Volleyball – Late August through December
AVC Club Championships – Asian club tournament starting in September/October
FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship – Held every 4 years, usually September-October

The major exception is beach volleyball, which has a schedules its pro tournaments to align with the summer outdoor season. Some of the top upcoming beach volleyball events include:

AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour – April through October
FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour – Events almost every month
FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships – Every 2 years in June or July

So in summary, professional indoor volleyball leagues stick to a fairly standardized October through April/May season. But beach volleyball tours and tournaments run all year thanks to the ability to play outdoors year-round in warm weather beach destinations.

What Season is Volleyball Played?

Volleyball is primarily played as a fall sport at the high school and college levels. Professional indoor leagues also follow the standard volleyball season that runs from October through April/May each year.

However, there are exceptions:

Beach Volleyball Season

Beach volleyball season typically played during the summer, aligning with the spring and summer seasons in many regions. The exact timing of beach volleyball season can vary depending on factors such as location, climate, and tournament schedules. In coastal areas and regions with temperate climates, beach volleyball season often kicks off in the spring as temperatures rise and daylight hours increase, continuing through the summer months.

Snow Volleyball Season

Snow volleyball season typically starts in the late fall or early winter months, depending on factors such as location, climate, and tournament schedules. As the name suggests, snow volleyball is played on snow-covered courts, so the start of the season often coincides with the arrival of consistent snowfall in the region. In colder climates, snow volleyball season may extend throughout the winter months, while in regions with milder winters, the season may be shorter. Additionally, international snow volleyball tournaments and events may have their own specific schedules, with some taking place in the spring or even summer months.

So while the standard volleyball season aligns with fall for most school levels, there are opportunities to play volleyball year-round between club, beach tournaments, and alternative school seasons.

Key Takeaways on Volleyball Season Start Dates

High school volleyball usually begins in August and runs through October or November.
The college volleyball season also starts in August, ending in November/December with the NCAA tournament.
Club volleyball teams play year-round with fall, winter, spring, and summer seasons.
Professional indoor volleyball leagues go from around October to April or May.
Beach volleyball tours and tournaments happen all year long.

The high school volleyball season usually begins in August or early September. Most states recognize volleyball as a fall sport, so the season starts as the new school year begins. Tryouts, practices, and first games often happen in mid to late August.

The college volleyball season spans from late August through mid-December. It includes preseason practices starting in August, regular season matches September-November, conference tournaments in November, and the NCAA national championship tournament extending through December.

No, competitive club volleyball teams play year-round. They have a fall season, winter season, major spring season, and short summer season. This allows elite players to get high-level training and compete in top tournaments.

For most professional indoor volleyball leagues around the world, the season begins in October and runs through April or May. Beach volleyball tours and tournaments can happen all year thanks to the outdoor beach setting