The 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship is set to be a historic and spectacular event, taking place in Thailand from August 22 to September 7, 2025. This tournament marks several significant firsts for both global volleyball and Southeast Asia.
Tournament Overview
- First-ever Southeast Asian Host: This will be the first time the FIVB Women’s World Championship is hosted in Southeast Asia and the third time in Asia overall, following previous editions in Japan and China.
- Expanded Format: The 2025 edition introduces an expanded format featuring 32 national teams—up from previous editions’ 24—to ensure broader global participation.
- Tournament Cycle: The event inaugurates the new two-year cycle for the World Championships, now conducted in odd-numbered years.
Host Cities and Venues
Matches will be played across four iconic Thai cities:
- Bangkok: Thailand’s dynamic capital and central hub for knockout rounds and finals. Matches take place at the renowned Huamark Indoor Stadium.
- Chiang Mai: Celebrated for its cultural heritage and previous volleyball events, hosting preliminary pool matches.
- Phuket: Known for its stunning beaches and volleyball legacy, also staging preliminary matches.
- Nakhon Ratchasima: A volleyball heartland with a passionate sporting community, hosting numerous key pool matches.
Each city offers unique attractions for visiting fans, from Bangkok’s vibrant city life to Phuket’s world-famous beaches and Chiang Mai’s cultural treasures.
Competition Structure and Schedule
- Pool Phase: 32 teams start in eight pools (A to H), with matches played across all four cities from August 22–27.
- Knockout Stage: The top 16 teams progress to the single-elimination rounds, all held in Bangkok. Key rounds include:
Teams and Global Reach
- Participating Nations: Thirty-two teams represent every continent: three from Africa, four from Asia, sixteen from Europe, six from NORCECA (North/Central America and Caribbean), and three from South America.
- Star Teams: Global powerhouses including USA, China, Japan, Brazil, Türkiye, Italy, Netherlands, and defending champions Serbia will compete, along with host nation Thailand.
- Defending Champions: Serbia enters as the reigning world champion, seeking a third consecutive title.
Cultural and Economic Impact
- Tourism Boost: Thailand expects to generate over 8.5 billion Baht in tourism revenue, with the championship reaching over 1.3 billion global viewers.
- Local Engagement: Each venue integrates international volleyball with Thailand’s distinctive culture and hospitality, promising a memorable experience for athletes and spectators alike.Fans worldwide can enjoy live coverage on VBTV and the Volleyball World YouTube channel