50th AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships Start This Week

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is set to host the world’s largest volleyball tournament from June 14 – July 4. More than 100,000 athletes and coaches, representing 48 states, two U.S. territories, and six international countries (Canada, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Peru, and Sweden) will converge at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the 50^th AAU Girls’ and Boys’ Junior National Volleyball Championships.

“We’re thrilled to be celebrating the 50^th year of AAU’s largest sporting event right here in Orlando,” said Jo Mirza, AAU President and CEO. “Our event has grown exponentially since its beginnings in 1974, from 19 teams to more than 5,100. This growth wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated volunteers and our invaluable community partnerships.”

The 21-day event is expected to bring approximately $256.7 million in economic impact to Central Florida, according to Visit Orlando, based on an estimated 200,000 attendees. There will be 5,194 teams (966 boys and 4,228 girls), including more than 1,000 Central Florida teams, participating in 57 divisions. It’s set to be the largest sporting event ever held at the OCCC —breaking last year’s record.

"We are excited to welcome back the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships to The Center of Hospitality. Our continued partnership is testament to the success and growth of youth sporting events at the OCCC,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “This international tournament has become the largest event at the OCCC and we are grateful for AAU's continued confidence in our center."

In addition to hosting the event at both the OCCC and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, the AAU is partnering with the Greater Orlando Sports Commission to bring this premier event to life.

“Congratulations to AAU on the 50^th year of the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships,” said Jason Siegel, President & CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “Our organizations have partnered together for many years, and Orlando and the Orange County Convention Center are the perfect hosts for this event as it continues to grow year after year. We’re excited to host the more than 100,000 participants and their families in our community, and we look forward to our continued partnership with AAU for years to come.”

The Girls’ tournament, with divisions from 10U through 18U, will be up first from June 14-29.  The Boys’ tournament, with divisions from 12U to 18U, will take the courts from July 1-4.

This preeminent AAU event has been recognized over the years as a five-time winner of Sports Destination Management’s Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism Award, Best Amateur Single-Sport Event by Sports Travel Awards, as well as the Best Amateur Sporting Event by Connect Sports. The AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships still holds the Guinness World Record for the largest volleyball event in the world, which was first set in 2012.

Games will be streamed live on BallerTV, AAU Volleyball’s livestream partner, one of the world's premier live and on-demand streaming services dedicated to youth athletes.

Beyond the court, the AAU is again partnering with the Side-Out Foundation as part of the AAU Cares initiative to raise money for breast cancer research through “Dig Pink” campaigns. All volleyball participants are encouraged to wear pink for AAU’s Dig Pink Days on June 16, 20, 24, and 28. For more information on the 2023 Dig Pink Campaign, click here.

Visit aauvolleyball.org for more information on the event schedule. You can also follow the event on AAU Volleyball’s social media pages: Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.