ISF WSC Volleyball 2026 Open Tonight
Jul. 2, Shangluo, China – The countdown is almost over. Delegations from around the world are arriving in Shangluo as the ISF World School Volleyball Championship – Shangluo 2026 prepares to officially begin in just a few hours.
With 1,074 participants representing 31 delegations across five continents, the championship will become the largest ISF WSC Volleyball in terms of participation since the pandemic. A total of 62 boys' and girls' teams will compete throughout the week, bringing together some of the world's most promising school volleyball talent for competition, cultural exchange, and educational activities.
The scale of the event is matched by an ambitious sporting infrastructure programme. Matches will take place across nine courts in four different venues throughout the city, including the newly built National Volleyball Training Centre, which will serve as one of the championship's flagship locations. Participants and spectators will also experience competition at a landmark outdoor venue, providing a unique setting for international school volleyball.
Beyond the courts, organisers have created an extensive fan zone adjacent to the main competition venue, designed to enrich both delegation services and the spectator experience throughout the championship. The initiative reflects Shangluo's growing ambition to establish itself as a "City of Volleyball", while bringing the event closer to local communities and creating opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with the international school sport atmosphere.
For Shangluo and the local organising committee, the championship represents another important chapter in a long-standing relationship with ISF. China has been attributed four editions of the ISF World School Volleyball Championship and, following the successful organisation of the ISF U15 WSC Volleyball in 2025, welcomes the international school sport community for a second consecutive year.
The continued cooperation highlights both the organisational experience developed locally and the confidence built between ISF and its partners in the region. Over recent years, volleyball has become increasingly visible within the city, supported by investment in facilities, events, and youth participation programmes.
Now, with teams arriving and final preparations complete, the stage is set for another week of elite competition, international friendship, and unforgettable memories through school sport.
