When Is the Volleyball Season? 2025 Schedule Guide

By Sarah Miller · October 2, 2049

The volleyball season varies by region and level of play, but in the United States, indoor volleyball typically runs from fall to winter, with high school seasons peaking between August and November, NCAA women’s competition from late August through December (championship in December), and USA Volleyball club seasons spanning January to April. Internationally, the FIVB Volleyball Nations League takes place May–June annually, while beach volleyball often follows a summer-focused calendar.

Understanding the Volleyball Season by Level

Volleyball is played year-round globally, but organized competitive seasons depend on the league, country, gender, and format (indoor vs. beach). Below is a breakdown by major categories.

High School Volleyball

In the U.S., most states schedule girls' high school volleyball during the fall semester.
Season typically begins in early August with tryouts and practices.
Regular games start in late August or September.
District and state playoffs usually conclude by late October or November.
Boys' high school volleyball is often played in the spring, especially in states like California and Florida.

NCAA College Volleyball

NCAA Division I women's indoor volleyball starts in late August.
The regular season ends in late November.
The NCAA Tournament begins in December, culminating in the National Championship around mid-December.
Men's collegiate volleyball (including NCAA) generally runs from January to April, with the championship in May.

Club and Youth Volleyball

Youth club seasons in the U.S. are primarily held from January to April.
Organized by USA Volleyball and AAU, these leagues prepare athletes for college recruitment.
Tournaments peak March–April, leading up to Junior National Championships in June–July.
Tryouts typically occur right after high school or college seasons end.

Professional and International Leagues

FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL): Held annually from May to June for both men and women.
Olympic qualification and international friendlies often occur in the summer months.
National leagues in Europe (e.g., Italy, Poland, Russia) run from October to April.
Beach volleyball pro tours (FIVB Beach Pro Tour, AVP) peak between May and September.

Regional Variations in Volleyball Seasons

Volleyball calendars differ significantly across countries due to climate, school systems, and sports culture.

United States

As outlined above, scholastic and collegiate schedules dominate the calendar. Club volleyball fills gaps between academic seasons.

Europe

Top European leagues follow an autumn-to-spring format:

Italian Serie A1: October–April
Polish PlusLiga: October–May
Turkish Sultanlar Ligi: November–May

European clubs also participate in CEV Champions League, running parallel from October to May.

Asia

In Japan and South Korea, professional leagues align with the calendar year or academic year.

V.League Japan: December–April
Korean V-League: October–March

National teams train year-round for continental and global events.

Volleyball Season Calendar Comparison Table

Competition Level	Country/Region	Season Start	Season End	Peak Competition
High School (Girls)	USA	August	November	October–November
High School (Boys)	California, USA	February	May	April–May
NCAA Women's	USA	August	December	November–December
NCAA Men's	USA	January	April	March–April
Youth Club (USA Volleyball)	USA	January	April	March–April
FIVB Volleyball Nations League	Global	May	June	May–June
Italian Serie A1	Italy	October	April	March–April
Polish PlusLiga	Poland	October	May	April–May
Korean V-League	South Korea	October	March	February–March
FIVB Beach Pro Tour	Global	February	September	June–August

Table data source:1, 2, 3, 4, 5

The table highlights how competition timing aligns with regional climates and academic cycles. For instance, U.S. collegiate seasons prioritize fall scheduling to avoid football dominance, while European leagues use winter months for indoor play. The FIVB Nations League centralizes elite international play in late spring, allowing national teams preparation post-domestic seasons.

When Is the Beach Volleyball Season?

Unlike indoor volleyball, beach volleyball thrives in warm weather and outdoor conditions.

FIVB Beach Pro Tour: Runs from February to September, with major events in summer.
AVP (USA Pro Tour): Typically held May–August.
Olympic beach volleyball: Scheduled during the Summer Games, every four years in July–August.
Indoor beach leagues operate in colder months in some countries (e.g., Germany, Russia).

Elite players often transition between indoor and beach circuits, especially after domestic indoor seasons conclude.

Frequently Asked Questions About Volleyball Seasons

When does the NCAA women's volleyball season start and end?

The NCAA Division I women's volleyball season typically begins in late August with preseason practice and non-conference matches. The regular season runs through November, followed by the NCAA Tournament in December, which concludes with the National Championship match around mid-December.

What months are high school volleyball season in the U.S.?

For most U.S. states, girls' high school volleyball is a fall sport, running from August to November. Tryouts begin in early August, regular matches start in late August or September, and state championships usually occur in October or November. Boys' high school volleyball, where offered, is often played in the spring (February–May).

When is the FIVB Volleyball Nations League held?

The FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL) is held annually from May to June. Preliminary rounds take place over several weeks across multiple global host cities, with the final rounds occurring in late June. This schedule allows national teams to compete after completing their domestic league seasons.

When does club volleyball season start in the U.S.?

In the United States, the USA Volleyball and AAU youth club season typically begins in January. Teams form after high school seasons end, with tryouts in December or January. The season includes tournaments through March and April, leading up to national championships in June and July.

Is volleyball a winter or summer sport?

Volleyball can be both, depending on format and region. Indoor volleyball is primarily a winter sport in many countries, including the U.S. and Europe, with seasons running fall to spring. Beach volleyball is a summer sport, peaking between May and September in the Northern Hemisphere. Globally, elite competitions like the VNL and Olympics are scheduled in warmer months.