December 16, 2025
December 16, 2025 — Fort Collins, Colo. — President’s Day Weekend in Kansas City will once again become a focal point for the volleyball world in 2026, as Triple Crown Sports and League One Volleyball (LOVB) bring together elite club competition and professional volleyball under one roof.
The 2026 Triple Crown National Invitational Tournament (TC NIT) marks the event’s 12th edition, continuing its long-standing reputation as the nation’s most competitive youth volleyball showcase. Running alongside it for the second straight year is the LOVB Classic, where League One Volleyball brings together its six pro teams in one location, which is returning to Kansas City after a successful 2025 debut.
Each February, the TC NIT draws the top programs in the country, and 2026 will be no exception. Nearly 675 teams, spanning 12u through 18u divisions, are expected to compete inside the Kansas City Convention Center, beginning with College Camp Friday on February 13, followed by three days of tournament play and championship matches on Monday, February 16.
The event’s format accelerates competition early, pairing top-ranked teams from the opening rounds while preserving championship pathways through Power Pool and Elite brackets. Elite finals for 13u–15u divisions will stream on Triple Crown Sports Network, with 16u–18u championship matches airing on ESPN3.
Beyond competition, TC NIT continues to be a centerpiece recruiting event with nearly 1,000 college coaches expected to be on site throughout the weekend. Additionally, athletes receive access to college-level workouts on College Camp Friday. The holiday weekend is projected to welcome approximately 23,000 visitors and generate an estimated $18 million in economic impact for the Kansas City region.
“The NIT has grown into one of the most meaningful moments of the club season,” said Jared Rudiger, Director of Volleyball at Triple Crown Sports. “Kansas City provides the scale, energy, and support to host something truly special, and the addition of professional volleyball continues to elevate the experience for everyone involved.”
Just steps away from the Convention Center, Municipal Arena will again host the 2026 LOVB Classic, bringing all six League One Volleyball professional teams to Kansas City for three incredible match-ups over three days.
Featured match-ups include:
In a continued emphasis on connection across levels, LOVB Pro Nebraska players will take part in on-court instruction during College Camp Friday, giving young athletes rare access to professional competitors competing in real time.
“LOVB was created to close the gap between youth, college, and professional volleyball, and create the possibility for pathways never before imagined,” said Rosie Spaulding, COO of LOVB Pro. “The LOVB Classic does exactly that — placing the pro game in the middle of the club environment and showing young players what’s possible beyond the next level.”
LOVB Classic tickets are now on sale
Media Contacts:
Triple Crown Sports - Casey Gutting
caseygutting@triplecrownsports.com
(970) 672-0543
LOVB Pro - Rachel Rogers
rachel.rogers@lovb.com
(310) 770-4917
