When Does Volleyball Season End? By Level & League

By Sarah Miller · February 22, 2031

The end of the volleyball season varies by level and region, but generally runs from fall through early summer. High school seasons typically conclude in November or December, NCAA women’s volleyball ends in mid-December with the national championship, while professional leagues like the FIVB Volleyball Nations League wrap up in late June or July.

Understanding Volleyball Season Timelines

Volleyball is played year-round globally, but official competitive seasons follow structured calendars depending on the league, country, and level of play. Knowing when each season ends helps athletes, coaches, and fans plan accordingly.

Key Levels of Play and Their Season End Dates

High School Volleyball: Ends in November or December (U.S.)
NCAA Collegiate Volleyball: Concludes in mid-December
Professional Indoor Leagues: Vary by country; often end between March and May
FIVB Volleyball Nations League: Wraps up in late June or July
Beach Volleyball Circuits: Peak during summer; FIVB World Tour ends in September

NCAA Volleyball Season Schedule

The NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship is one of the most-watched collegiate volleyball events. The regular season begins in late August, conference play follows, and the tournament culminates in mid-December.

Tournament Structure and Key Dates

The NCAA tournament features 64 teams competing in a single-elimination format. Selection Sunday occurs in late November, followed by regionals and the Final Four.

Year	Regular Season End	Tournament Start	Championship Date
2024	November 23	November 29	December 22
2023	November 25	December 1	December 16
2022	November 20	November 25	December 17
2021	November 21	November 26	December 18

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that the NCAA women's volleyball season consistently concludes in mid-December, with slight variations based on calendar alignment. The championship game typically falls between December 16 and 22, making it one of the latest-ending college sports seasons.

High School Volleyball Seasons

In the United States, high school volleyball is primarily a fall sport governed by state athletic associations. Most regular seasons end in October, with playoffs extending into November and sometimes early December.

State-by-State Variability

Texas UIL: Season ends in early December after state championships
California CIF: Typically concludes in mid-November
Florida FHSAA: State finals held in mid-November
New York NYSPHSAA: Ends in November

Winter volleyball leagues exist in some regions, pushing the season end to February or March, but these are less common.

Professional and International Leagues

Professional indoor and beach volleyball operate on different schedules than scholastic competitions. These leagues often span multiple continents and feature extended calendars.

FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL)

The FIVB Men's and Women's Volleyball Nations League runs annually from May to June, with the final rounds concluding in late June or early July. For example, the 2024 VNL Finals ended on June 30, 2024.

National Professional Leagues

Italy (Serie A1): Regular season ends in March; playoffs conclude in May
Brazil (Superliga): Runs from November to May
Russia (Super League): Ends in April or May
China (CVL): Season wraps up in January or February

Beach Volleyball Seasons

Beach volleyball follows a summer-centric schedule, especially under FIVB governance. The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour runs from May to September, with major events like the World Championships occurring every two years.

Olympic-Year Impact

In Olympic years, such as 2024, the beach volleyball calendar adjusts to align with the Games. The Paris 2024 beach volleyball tournament concluded on August 10, 2024, influencing pro tour scheduling.

Frequently Asked Questions About When Volleyball Season Ends

When does the NCAA volleyball season end?

The NCAA Division I women's volleyball season typically ends in mid-December, with the national championship game scheduled around December 16–22 each year.