It has been a few years since I first wrote an article for JVA on hosting a successful tournament. Since that time the tournament landscape has continued to grow. On any given weekend club directors have multiple options on where to send their teams. But even with the number of choices, the right preparation can make your event successful. Every tournament started somewhere and it doesn’t take 100’s of teams to make a great event.
Our events have continued to grow and we have also added a few new events to our hosting schedule. Here are the events our club currently hosts:
1. Chucktown Showdown (First year 2025)
January 10-11, 2026
JVA Insured
North Charleston Convention Center
Charleston, SC
First year 96 teams, max for the facility we used
This tournament actually started out of adversity. The facility was booked by a longstanding event on MLK Monday so we could not use it for our Winter Bump tournament like we had in the past. They could only offer us the weekend before. Charleston had been a great place to host so we decided to add the event. It sold out (96 teams) and will now be on the schedule in years to come.
2. Winter Bump Volleyball Classic
MLK weekend 3-day tournament
JVA Insured
250+ teams
Myrtle Beach, SC
Winter Bump has continued to draw teams from throughout the southeast. We max out every year. The Holiday weekend gives teams a chance to enjoy all the amenities Myrtle Beach, SC and has to offer. We have great partners and throw a big players party at the Hangout. We hear from teams all the time this is their favorite event of the year.
3. Coastline Classic (started 2024)
January 31-February 1, 2026
120+ teams and growing
Myrtle Beach, SC
We scheduled the Coastline a few weeks after Winter Bump. With the success of Winter Bump we needed an event that we could use as overflow. We realized a lot of people want to come to Myrtle Beach, but with Winter Bump at capacity, we were turning away teams. By adding Coastline, teams could still experience Myrtle Beach and the great winter hotel rates.
4. President’s Day Seashore Classic
February 14-16, 2026
JVA Insured
120+ Teams
Myrtle Beach, SC and Spartanburg, SC
Seashore is a partnership event with Stars Carolina, a great JVA member club out of Spartanburg. We each host a portion of the event and share in the revenue. Having our two clubs working together insures a quality of teams coming to play and eases some of the responsibility of being a solo host.
5. Liberty Classic
March 21-22 2026
JVA Insured
120+ teams
Myrtle Beach, SC and Spartanburg, SC
Liberty Classic is another event in which we partner with other clubs. The event is co-hosted by Grand Strand Juniors, Stars Carolina, and Xcel. Partnering on events requires another level of communication with co-hosts. Be sure what each club’s roles are and make sure nothing falls through the cracks. We have one club that will take the lead and they provide the direction on what to do.
6. Coastal Classic Volleyball Championships
June 3-4, 2018
AAU Super Regional
Myrtle Beach, SC
250+ teams in 2025
Here are a few notes on our volleyball events and what we learned along the way:
The forefront of our success is to always focus on the player experience first. Make that experience great and your event will grow.
Before creating a new event, I first identified that there was a need for the event. Next I made sure to establish relationship and build rapport. And finally I established a team of people to help support the event. Let’s look at each step in more detail.
1) Identify a need for the volleyball event
All of the events we host were created because we had a need in our schedule, and we recognized that other clubs did as well. We immediately communicated with the other clubs to see if they would benefit from a new event. It’s important not to assume that because you create an event teams will come.
The only MLK tournaments we could attend at the time were in Atlanta or Richmond, both 6 hours away and 12 hours apart. Myrtle Beach was ideally located to take advantage of the void. We moved a smaller event we had been hosting to MLK weekend and leased our Convention Center that could accommodate 16 Courts. We filled the 128 team capacity our very first year. A few years later we added Charleston Convention Center with 12 Courts. When Myrtle Beach built a new 16 court Sports Center it gave us 32 courts in Myrtle Beach, so we moved out of Charleston. Now we use the Upward Star Center in Spartanburg, SC., so we have a total of 44 courts and over 340 teams attending every year.
The Liberty Classic and Coastal Classic were also created because of the need in the region schedule. If a current event is filling up and has to turn away teams it is also a sign that there is a need for a new tournament.
2) Establish credibility and relationships with peers
With the number of volleyball events being offered it is more important than ever to have credibility among your peers and a positive relationship with multiple volleyball clubs. I appreciate the work that club directors do and try and get to know as many as possible. Without them our events don’t happen. I also stress to my teams and staff the importance of being a good host and handling ourselves well. If people come and don’t have a good experience they won’t come back.
As hosts we make ourselves available to the teams coming in. I always answer the emails and return the calls. We’ve also made the decision to offer a great value to teams. Our entry is the lowest of any 3-day event ($650) and the majority of hotels in the area are under $100 that time of year.
We could easily charge more but I’m excited to know a club can enter all their teams and save on their bottom line. That money can be put directly back into their club. In addition, we have a great network of clubs who also run events that we support. We want them to succeed as well. By working together, we make sure each other host successful events.
3) Build a team
It takes a great deal of behind the scenes work to pull off an event. It’s important to make sure you have the support staff in place in advance. Data entry, officials, awards, ticket sales, apparel sales, and court set up, are just a few of the components that need to be planned. Reach out to others who run events, and recruit them to help you run yours.
I needed advice when I planned a first year event, and I have spent several hours on the phone with others who want to run events. Paying it back is important.
Running our events is something I spend time on year round, keeping a check list ensures that I have everything covered.
Here is a sample check list for running a volleyball tournament:
- Facility contract: In place (8-12 months in advance)
- Event promotion: (AES, AAU, USAV or JVA event listing to get the word out before the start of club season)
- Event Website: Prior to the club season (ideally prepared when registration opens)
- Housing: Event hotel or other hotel options for teams. This can be a source of revenue if you request a rebate for rooms booked and comp rooms for staff.
- Paid staff in place: (Data entry, gym supervisors, retail manager, Official Assignor, and ticket manager in place as far out as possible)
- Coordinate Volunteers: Start the process early and be extremely organized. Be prepared for a few no-shows and cancellations. (ticket sales, shirt sales, door entry, court set-up and take down, coaches check in)
- Awards/gifts: (shirts, medals, bag tags ordered 2-3 weeks in advance)
- Event shirts: (for resale) ordered 3 weeks out
- Court Rental: Contract with rental company in place 6 months out (if needed)
- Officials Assignor: Start organizing officials 3-4 months minimum before your event. Seek out a knowledgeable official who is familiar with the process.
These tips should help you get started and determine if running an event is right for your club. Once your event is a go be sure you have the necessary sanction in place. The JVA provides great resources and offers event insurance to cover your teams and facilities. The JVA website also includes a volleyball tournament listing to promote events around the country.
View more on running a junior volleyball event.
About the author
Alex has been a player, coach, volleyball dad, and currently a Club Director. He started Grand Strand Juniors in 2007. The club currently has 33 teams, runs its own 3 court indoor facility, has two satellite locations and a 6 court sand facility.
