National Trend Breaking Records and Building Community
High school volleyball is stepping out of the gym and into the spotlight—literally. What began as a bold experiment inspired by the Volleyball Day in Nebraska at the Huskers’ Memorial Stadium in 2023 (92,003 fans, the largest crowd for a women’s sporting event in U.S. history) has grown into a nationwide movement. Schools across the country are transforming football fields into volleyball arenas, creating electric atmospheres that rival Friday night lights.
Crowds Are Growing
This trend isn’t just a change of scenery; it’s creating an experience. Communities are showing up in force:
Thousands of fans are packing high school football stadiums.
Tailgates and food trucks are turning games into full-blown community events.
Social media engagement is skyrocketing, with some events reaching 100,000+ views online.
Parking lots are filled hours before first serve, echoing the energy of college and pro events.
These matches are breaking state attendance records for high school volleyball and proving that the sport can command excitement under the lights.
Recent Highlights
New York: Frontier vs. Hamburg drew 2,012 fans and generated 100,000 social media views as the first sanctioned boys outdoor match in U.S. history.
Illinois: Mascoutah vs. Breese Central attracted 1,000 fans for one of the first outdoor matches in the Midwest, while the Sunset Showdown between DePaul College Prep and Saint Ignatius brought volleyball under the lights in Chicago.
Ohio: Fenwick’s “Volley Under the Lights” became a tailgate-style celebration, garnering so much success and community support, it’s now an annual tradition.
New Mexico: La Cueva vs. Albuquerque Academy set an unofficial state attendance record, proving the Southwest is all-in on this trend.
At least 14 states have all hosted outdoor matches, with Alabama and others preparing to join. Read more below.
Why It Works
Outdoor volleyball offers:
Visibility: Bigger venues and social media buzz amplify the sport.
Community Connection: Events feel like festivals, drawing students, alumni, and local businesses.
Athlete Spotlight: Players compete on a stage that feels larger than life.
Yes, there are challenges—weather delays, wind, and temperature swings—but schools are embracing the unpredictability as part of the charm.
The Bigger Picture
Volleyball is already the most popular high school team sport for girls in the U.S., and boys’ volleyball has grown 51% in the past six years, making it the fastest-growing team sport nationwide. Outdoor matches are accelerating that momentum.
High school volleyball under the stars isn’t just a trend—it’s a movement redefining how communities experience the game.
Alabama is preparing for its first sanctioned outdoor match this October.
Georgia’sCobb County’s inaugural outdoor match drew over 1,500 spectators, turning a football field into a vibrant volleyball venue.
Illinoisgirls teams, Mascoutah and Breese Central, competed in front of 1,000 fans on their football field on August 31, 2024.
DePaul College Prep took on Saint Ignatius under the lights in a historic night for Illinois volleyball called the Sunset Showdown this fall.
Mother nature caused some delays as Mater Dei and Mascoutah attempted to play outdoors before moving to the backup plan in the gym.
Indiana celebrated its first outdoor match with Fort Wayne Carroll & Homestead.
Iowa’s first game was a September 2024, match between West Delaware and Mt. Vernon in front of a packed crown at Brown field.
Michigan hosted the Outdoor Summer Slam in Allen Park.
Nebraska saw over 1,000 attend the Battle at Buell outdoor volleyball jamboree with all 3 Millard teams.
New Mexico set an unofficial attendance record for high school volleyball in the state. Watch as LaCueva and Albuquerque Academy became the first schools in the state to compete under the stars.
New Yorkserved the state’s first outdoor match between Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake and Niskayuna girls volleyball teams.
Frontier and Hamburg High School’s event in front of 2,000 fans and 100,000 views on social media smashed the record for the largest outdoor volleyball event in New York. The game was the first sanctioned boys volleyball match outdoors in the entire country!
North Dakotaheld the inaugural Landon’s Light Volleyball invite this month. The historic event featured sun, food trucks and an incredible atmosphere.
Ohio made history August 8, 2024, with six teams in Showdown at Sundown, believed to be the first outdoor high school volleyball game nationwide.
Families, alumni and youth teams filled the parking lot tailgate hours before the first serve to see Fenwick played Lakota East in “Volley Under the Lights” on Yeager Field.
Tennessee hosted its first-ever outdoor high school volleyball matches at Knoxville Catholic, featuring teams from both Tennessee (Knoxville Catholic, Maryville, Webb) and Kentucky (Sacred Heart Academy from Louisville).
Texas hosted a historic outdoor exhibition match in October 2024, with Liberty Christian School and Grapevine High School known as Showdown at Sundown.
Wisconsin’sBattle of the Marsh brought together three teams in Mayville.
