The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) welcomed a delegation from USA Volleyball to Lausanne, Switzerland, for a key strategic meeting aimed at strengthening the development of the sport ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. At a decisive moment for the global growth of volleyball, both organizations agreed on the importance of enhancing their collaboration, driving innovation, and building on the recent successes of Team USA at Paris 2024, where their teams won silver in the women’s competition and bronze in the men’s.
The meeting took place at the House of Volleyball and was led by FIVB President Fabio Azevedo, who highlighted the organization’s Strategic Vision 2032 under the theme Stronger Together. The U.S. delegation included CEO John Speraw, marketing advisor Craig Thompson, and general counsel Rachel Stafford, and engaged in a full day of technical sessions with representatives from FIVB and Volleyball World. Discussions revolved around key topics such as expanding indoor and beach volleyball, leveraging new digital platforms, and organizing events on American soil.
United States at the Center of Global Volleyball
One of the main announcements from the talks was the confirmation of Arlington, Texas, and Chicago, Illinois, as host cities for the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL). These cities will welcome the world’s top teams in one of the first major events after Paris 2024, further establishing the United States as a hub of international volleyball. The choice of these locations reflects the shared vision of FIVB and USA Volleyball to increase the sport’s visibility in a strategic market ahead of Los Angeles 2028.
The day also featured specialized sessions focused on legal matters, commercial development, marketing, and new forms of digital engagement, underscoring both parties’ commitment to further professionalize the volleyball ecosystem. With the notable presence of Hugh McCutcheon, current FIVB Secretary General and former U.S. Olympic coach, the meeting reflected a common will to move toward a more inclusive and sustainable model. FIVB reaffirmed its goal of making volleyball a driver of social change and an even more influential discipline on the global stage.
