The Greater Orlando Sports Commission has announced that Orlando, Florida is a leading candidate to host pool-stage games the 2027 Women’s Volleyball World Championship, which is to be held across the US and Canada.
Orlando, Florida, would be the first locale to be announced in advance of the tournament, with the city’s 18,846-capacity Kia Center to stage
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The Kia Center, home of the National Basketball Association’s Orlando Magic franchise, will serve as one of four pool stage hosts.
Of these pool-stage hosts, two (including potentially Orlando) more will be situated in the US, while the other two will be in Canada.
Orlando's selection if contingent on the city reaching an agreement on terms with USA Volleyball and the FIVB governing body.
Orlando was put forward during an internal tender undertaken by the USA Volleyball body, and Sportcal understands that over 20 cities participated in the bidding.
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By GlobalDataThat tender is still ongoing, so the FIVB governing body cannot yet confirm any details, but speaking to Sportcal, Volleyball World chief executive Ugo Valensi said: “Orlando is a fantastic destination for us, not only from an infrastructure point of view, but from a market point of view. So we're really happy that this city selection is progressing really fast.”
The World Championship, which serves as a qualifier for the quadrennial Olympic Games, will be staged in Los Angeles, US, in 2028.
After the round of 16, the final stages of the tournament will be held in Anaheim, California, at the Honda Center and OCVIBE facility, which will host volleyball at the LA28 Olympics.
Speaking on the announcement of Orlando has a host city, Jason Siegel, president and chief executive of the greater Orlando sports commission, commented: “As the world prepares for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, this historic tournament, which is being held in the United States and Canada for the very first time, marks an exciting milestone for the sport. We look forward to collaborating with FIVB, USA Volleyball, Volleyball Canada, and our colleagues in Anaheim to deliver an exceptional championship experience.”
In recent years, the Greater Orlando Sports Commission has worked to cement the city’s reputation as a host venue for international sporting events.
Back in July, ahead of Orlando hosting games at the FIFA Club World Cup, Siegel spoke to Sportcal on the boon of hosting women’s sports events, saying: “Hosting women’s sports has always been — and will continue to be — a cornerstone of our mission at the Greater Orlando Sports Commission.
“We are incredibly excited to be in active discussions with US Soccer regarding the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The opportunity to help elevate women’s soccer on a global stage, right here in the U.S., is monumental.
“Not a year goes by without our community hosting a women’s high school state or collegiate championship. Orlando is exceptionally well-positioned to host an event of this magnitude, and we are eager to do everything we can to make it a reality.”
On potential hurdles, he added: “In general, I would say one of the hurdles is ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned and fully committed to hosting the best possible event for their community. In Orlando, we are fortunate to have excellent collaboration with our government officials, including Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, and our tourism stakeholders, which allows us to align efforts across the region and maximize the impact of all major sporting events.”
