18U National Championship | Junior Volleyball Association

The 18U National Championship a three-day event co-hosted by JVA and AAU at the Kentucky Exposition Center (EXPO). The 18U National Championship is held in conjunction with JVA World Challenge. Teams of any affiliation are welcome and will be insured.

We will be hosting an ‘All Eyes on Me’ Gala on Thursday, April 9 to celebrate the senior athletes of 2026! Scroll to the bottom of the page to learn more and to RSVP!

registration is closed

WHO: 18U Girls

WHAT: #JVA18sNatty

WHEN: April 10-12, 2026

WHERE: Louisville, Kentucky

Presented by Nike Volleyball

EVENT INFO

Looking for important information about this tournament? Click the > to read more about each topic! Fill out THIS FORM to be added to the email list specific for this tournament!

HOUSING

We have partnered with Team Travel Source (TTS) to handle our housing needs. JVA does not have a stay to play policy; however, teams and families are encouraged to book their hotel accommodations through TTS. Booking through TTS allows us to get the best hotels at the best rates.

Contact TTS with any housing questions:
volleyball@teamtravelsource.com
502.354.9103

Click HERE to book housing for 18U National Championship

PLAYER/STAFF INSURANCE WAIVER

It is required that a JVA Insurance Waiver be completed every season by every player and staff member attending a JVA event.
**JVA does NOT have player memberships. You do not need to log in to complete the JVA Insurance Waiver. Player waivers cannot be edited once submitted. Completed waivers are sent directly to your volleyball club.

BACKGROUND SCREENS

Every JVA member and all adults listed on rosters at JVA insured events must complete the JVA Background Screen and APS training OR have a valid AAU background screen. Clubs cannot submit rosters for JVA events until all adults on rosters have a verified background screen. For more information on our background screen policies, please click here.

**Any adults with a cleared AAU background screen will be able to be added to a JVA roster in AES. AAU coaches do not need to complete the JVA Background Screen form. JVA does NOT accept USAV background screens.

WAVES, LOCATIONS, & MORE

The 18U National Championship will be played at the Kentucky Exposition Center (EXPO) – 937 Phillips Ln, Louisville, KY 40209

PLAYING WAVES
AM Wave (8 A.M.) – 18 Open & Premier
PM Wave (2:30 P.M.) – 18 Aspire & Spirit

Court Map

ADMISSIONS

$45 JVA Event Pass: Allows you access into JVA World Challenge & 18U Championship ALL 3 days.
$60 JVA / LOVB Event Pass: Allows you access into JVA World Challenge & 18U Championship and ALL LOVB matches ALL 3 days.
$20 JVA Day Pass: Ticket is valid for ONE day only at JVA World Challenge & 18U Championship.
$25 JVA / LOVB Day Pass: Ticket is valid for ONE day only at JVA World Challenge & 18U Championship and ONE LOVB Match.

Refund Policy: Refunds must be requested within 30 days of the date the ticket was purchased. Once a ticket is scanned, it is NOT assignable to any other individual or eligible for a refund.

Spectators ages 10 & under receive free admission. Admissions must be purchased online – NO cash sales at the door.

PURCHASE ADMISSIONS TICKETS

ROSTERS

Teams must submit and finalize their rosters by Friday, March 27.

Failure to add a roster to AES by this date may result in a $25 late roster fee per team.

All roster changes after the roster due date, must be emailed to the tournaments inbox at tournaments@jvavolleyball.org

TEAM CHECK-IN

Online Team Check-in
Opens: 12 A.M. ET on March 29
Closes: 12 A.M. ET on April 6
Teams will need to check-in online before their arrival to verify that their roster is complete.
*Club Director account access are the ONLY people that can check in teams online*

Credential Pick-Up
Kentucky Expo Center:
Thursday, April 9 at 4 – 8 P.M. ET.
East Hall Meeting Room 1

Friday, April 10 at 7 – 9 A.M. ET and 1 – 3 P.M. ET.
Room B101

Player & Staff Waiver Forms and Coaches Sign-in Form must be completed before credential pick-up.

Players will not be allowed inside the playing hall without their credentials.

No changes can be made for adults without clear JVA or AAU background screens on rosters at team check-in. Adults without proper screening and training will not receive credentials.

EXPO PARKING

EXPO parking information can be found HERE.
EXPO Construction Parking Map – construction around Gate 4 may cause a delay entering the facility and finding parking, so please make sure to plan accordingly.

AIRLINE DISCOUNT

Southwest Airlines is pleased to offer JVA 18U National Championship attendees discounted fares. To utilize the discount, book via SWABIZ® using this link. Discount valid for travel 4/8/2026 to 4/14/2026.

United Airlines flight reservations can be made online. Please book here and use discount code ZRBP215010.

Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts for Junior Volleyball Association. Please click here to book your flights. You may also call Conferences and Events® at 1.800.328.1111* Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST) and refer to Meeting Event Code NY46M

MEDIA PASS

Plan to capture content at our event? Read about our media credential policy and apply today!

COLLEGE COACHES

College coaches should register through University Athlete. Click HERE for a list of colleges and universities attending

RULES OF PLAY

Rules of Play for Girls Events
JVA Code of Conduct
2025-2026 Indoor Volleyball Age Definition Chart

Age Waiver Policy

Age waivers are allowed for players who are in the same grade level as their peers and who are not more than a year older than the current age definition (see age definition chart above).
Waivered player information must be received NO LATER than when rosters are due in AES.
All age waivers must be approved by the JVA Events Staff

To Request an Age Waiver

Email the following documents to tournaments@jvavolleyball.org
- Copy of player’s birth certificate
- Proof of grade
- Jersey Number

MISCELLANEOUS

Volleyball Rental: JVA does not have volleyball rental available. All teams are responsible for bringing their own volleyballs for warmups. JVA game balls will be provided.

Athletic Trainers: Athletic Trainers will be available inside the playing hall by the tournament desks.

Facility Rules: No outside food, beverage, or tailgating allowed. No coolers will be allowed. There will be chairs provided along each court for spectators. Camping chairs will NOT be allowed in the convention center due to a potential fire hazard.

Louisville’s Top Travel Tips

ALL EYES ON ME GALA

Seniors participating in World Challenge are invited to attend the ‘All Eyes On Me’ Senior Gala. The best part? It’s free!

WHEN: Thursday, April 9, 2026
WHERE: Louisville Marriott Downtown | 208 W Jefferson, Louisville, KY 40202
TIME: 7 P.M. – 9 P.M.
RSVP Here

EVENT PARTNERS

Check out these great deals & offers from our event partners!

Nike Volleyball

Visit the Nike Booth!

Nike Volleyball

Dominate the Court. Shop the latest in footwear, apparel, and gear from Nike Volleyball with Athlete Performance Solutions.

CLICK HERE!

Molten USA

Visit the Molten Booth!

Molten USA

Molten is proud to be the official volleyball of the JVA and AAU. Join Molten at moltenusa.com and on social media.

CLICK HERE!

Super Bowls Performance Foods

Visit the Acai Booth!

Super Bowls Performance Foods

Play at your best and refuel with Açai SuperBowls before your next match. Tasty Bowls with Organic Powerhouse Nutrition!

CLICK HERE!

Glossy Photos

If you want professional action photos of your athlete at the 2026 JVA/AAU 18U National Championship from Glossy Photos, pre-registration is required. Due to the scale of this event, our photographers only photograph teams and individuals who have reserved a spot in advance. Guaranteed Coverage: No registration = no photos. Instant Delivery: Photos go straight to your phone. Limited Capacity: Once our photographers’ schedules are full, we close registration. Packages available: Full Team Digital Access or VIP Individual Coverage.

LOVB Playoffs

Purchase Tickets!

LOVB Playoffs

The best in professional volleyball are headed to Louisville!
Catch the LOVB Playoffs at Freedom Hall, April 10–12, as the top four teams go to battle with Championship hopes on the line.
Secure LOVB Playoffs tickets for just $5 per day with your JVA Event Pass (nearly 50% off). Select JVA/LOVB Event Pass at checkout.
JVA families can also save 20% on single-match tickets by using the Unlock button on Ticketmaster and entering code JVA.

Side-Out Foundation

Learn more!

Side-Out Foundation

The Side-Out Foundation:
Volleyball is changing how metastatic breast cancer is treated. Through Dig Pink, teams fund precision medicine research that is helping people living with metastatic breast cancer right now. Learn More!

Slunks

Shop at their booth!

Slunks

If you’re going to stand out, commit to it. Slunks brings the color, the energy, and zero interest in blending in. Shop at their booth!

Sunshine State Recovery Lab

Athletic Trainer Assisted & Self-Guided Recovery. Team Pre-Registration Available! CLICK HERE!

GOAT USA

Shop GOAT USA

GOAT USA

GOAT USA is an athletic apparel company dedicated to providing quality and stylish products that promote a positive message, “Ordinary people do extraordinary things!”

CLICK HERE!

Chick-fil-a

Visit one of our locations!

Chick-fil-a

Chick-fil-A Stonybrook
2350 Shane Dr
Louisville, Ky 40220
(502) 491-7707

Chick-fil-A Bardstown Rd
3420 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, Ky 40218
(502) 459-0070

EVENT EXPERIENCES

Check out these amazing opportunities at JVA/AAU 18U National Championship! Make sure to follow us on Instagram: @jvavolleyball

Seniors participating in the JVA/AAU 18U National Championship are invited to attend the ‘all eyes on me’ senior gala. the best part? it’s free!

WHEN: Thursday, April 9, 2026
WHERE: Louisville Marriott Downtown
208 W Jefferson, Louisville, KY 40202
TIME: 7 P.M. – 9 P.M.

RSVP! First 250 to RSVP receive a gift bag.

Dress code: tunnel walk. wear whatever you want, but make it fashion.

ADULTS
The ‘All Eyes on Me’ Gala is designed as a special, athlete-only evening. To support that experience, parents, Coaches, and Club Directors are invited to relax and enjoy the hotel foyer and bar while seniors spend the night connecting, celebrating, and stepping into what’s next.