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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (April 3, 2026) — The next generation of international volleyball stars is coming to Columbus.
USA Volleyball will host the 2026 NORCECA Women’s U21 Pan American Cup from July 7-12 at Ohio State University’s Covelli Center, bringing together eight of the top junior national teams from across North America, Central America and the Caribbean for six days of fast-paced, high-stakes competition.The Pan American Cup is a premier international event that highlights emerging talent and builds the pathway to senior national team and Olympic success.
“Columbus fans will witness the future of our sport firsthand as the next generation of Olympians takes the court,” said USA Volleyball President and CEO John Speraw. “The speed and power of international volleyball find a perfect home in the Covelli Center—it’s an elite stage for an unforgettable showcase of talent.”
A Week of Can’t-Miss Competition
The tournament opens with three days of pool play (July 7-9), featuring four matches daily at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. ET. The intensity builds heading into:
- Quarterfinals (July 10): 5 and 7 p.m. ET
- Semifinals & Placement Matches (July 11): 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. ET
- Championship Sunday (July 12): 1, 2, 5 and 7 p.m. PM ET
Ohio State women’s volleyball coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg said, “We’re so excited to host the Women’s U21 Pan Am Cup this July. Columbus is a volleyball city, and I’m excited to be able to host an event like this one on the campus of Ohio State. To have the top U21 NORCECA players in each of the national team programs compete in Covelli will be an experience for all of the athletes, coaches and fans.”
See Tomorrow’s Stars Today
The NORCECA U21 Pan American Cup has long been a proving ground for athletes who go on to compete at the highest levels of the sport. This summer, fans in Columbus will get a front-row seat to volleyball’s future before it hits the global stage.
Single-day and all-weekend pass tickets are available for purchase, giving fans the chance to experience world-class competition as it unfolds, granting access to matches, including:
- Friday’s quarterfinal clashes
- Saturday’s semifinals and placement battles
- Sunday’s championship match, bronze-medal match, and final placements
“We’re looking forward to hosting the NORCECA Women’s U21 Pan American Cup this summer. Columbus loves volleyball and has a long history of welcoming big events from youth all the way to the top amateur professionals,” said Columbus Sports Commission CEO and President Linda Logan, “The Covelli Center is the perfect venue for the Cup and we’re looking forward to working with great partners in USA Volleyball and Ohio State to create a truly special event for the athletes, teams and fans.”