Orlando is Getting Ready to Welcome the World
Last updated on October 02, 2026
Orlando is getting ready to welcome the world
On September 17, the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) announced Orlando as one of three U.S. host cities for the 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup, joining Anaheim, California, and Omaha, Nebraska. Matches will take place at Kia Center, bringing one of the sport’s premier international competitions to downtown Orlando from August 20 through September 5, 2027.
The tournament will bring together 32 national teams for the first FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup hosted in the United States and Canada. Orlando and Omaha will host Pool Play and Round of 16 matches, while Anaheim will host the Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Final. The tournament’s new format also makes the World Cup an important stop on the road to the LA28 Olympic Games, with the top three national teams that have not yet qualified earning Olympic berths.
For Orlando, hosting the World Cup is another opportunity to showcase the city — and downtown — to an international audience. Kia Center, Central Florida’s premier sports and entertainment destination, will serve as the downtown stage for elite athletes competing on one of volleyball’s biggest stages. The selection of Orlando reflects the city’s ability to host major sporting events and welcome athletes, fans and visitors from around the world.
It also adds another major international competition to an already growing sports calendar. From professional and collegiate competition to international events, Orlando continues to attract sporting events that bring people together and create opportunities to experience the city in new ways. Hosting the FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup puts downtown at the center of that momentum, giving visitors another reason to explore the urban core before and after the matches.
And when visitors come downtown for the action, there is plenty to experience beyond the court. A multi-day international tournament can bring athletes, teams, fans and other visitors into the area, creating opportunities for downtown restaurants, retailers, hotels and entertainment venues to welcome new and returning customers. For local businesses, major events are another chance to be part of the experience and show visitors what makes downtown Orlando unique.
The tournament also arrives at an exciting time for women’s volleyball. The sport is experiencing growth at youth, collegiate and professional levels, and FIVB says the 2027 World Cup will help accelerate volleyball’s growth across North America. The tournament will also receive significant national exposure, with ION providing 17 days of coverage that includes 19 live matches on national broadcast, studio programming and streaming coverage of 45 matches.
For Orlando, that means the excitement won't be limited to the fans inside Kia Center. The city and downtown will have an opportunity to be seen by audiences well beyond Central Florida as some of the world's top women's volleyball teams compete on the international stage.
The 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup is more than another event on the calendar. It is another moment for Orlando to welcome the world, celebrate the growth of women’s sports and showcase the energy, experiences and hospitality that make downtown a destination for major events.
The countdown to 2027 is on.