Competition Information
2026 Playing Schedule
AM Wave: 11 & 12 Club,
PM Wave: 13 Club
June 24: 11-12s done by 3pm; 13s done by 6pm
AM Wave: 14 Classic, 14 Club, 17/18 Club
PM Wave: 15 Club, 15/16 Classic, 16 Club
June 28: 14s & 17/18s done by 3pm; 15s and 16s done by 6pm
Team Bags
Team bags with credentials and player gifts will be picked up at the drive thru check-in during your reserved time.
Session 1 Check-in (11s-13s): June 2oth
Session 2 Check-in (14s-18s): June 23rd or 24th
More check-in information here.
Coaches information
- No Coaches’ meetings at the tournament.
- HERE is the 2025 Coaches’ Slide Presentation with helpful insights into the format, officiating, sports medicine, and other helpful info for a successful tournament.
Court Maps
Updated 2026 Court Maps coming late May. Session 2 will also be using the South Building in 2026.
AAU Membership
- AAU Club & Directors Membership Instructions
- AAU Athlete Bulk Membership Instructions
- AES Import Instructions for AAU Memberships
- AAU International Membership Instructions
- Stars & Stripes Festival – Mesa, AZ (May 23-25, 2026)
- AZ AUU Sports Festival – Holiday Heat – Phoenix, AZ (Dec 5-6, 2026)
- Festival Fiesta Classic – Glendale/Mesa, AZ (Feb 13-15, 2027)
Practice times
Links to sign up for practice times will be live soon.
Session 1 (11s-13s) – Saturday, June 20th 4pm-8pm
Session 2 (14s-18s) – Wednesday, June 24th 10am-6:15pm
Ball Requests
Out of town teams can use this form to request a bag of 6 balls to check out for the entire tournament. Balls are available on a first come, first serve basis. We will confirm your request by June 13. Balls will be ready for pick up in West Meeting Room 102A at the Phoenix Convention Center during your Team Check-in (June 20 for 11-13s, June 23-24 for 14s-18s). Balls should be returned to the West Meeting Room 102A at the Convention Center at the end of the tournament. A charge of $50 for balls or $330 for carts un-returned will be assessed.
age waivers
- 11 Club: Must be born on or after July 1, 2014 (Can’t turn 13 before July 1, 2026)
- 12 Club: Must be born on or after July 1, 2013 (Can’t turn 13 before July 1, 2026)
- 13 Club: Must be born on or after July 1, 2012 (Can’t turn 14 before July 1, 2026)
- 14 Club & 13/14 Open: Must be born on or after July 1, 2011 (Can’t turn 15 before July 1, 2026)
- 15 Club: Must be born on or after July 1, 2010 (Can’t turn 16 before July 1, 2026)
- 16 Club & 15/16 Open: Must be born on or after July 1, 2009 (Can’t turn 17 before July 1, 2026)
- 17/18 Club: Must be born on or after July 1, 2007, OR born on or after July 1, 2006 AND a high school student (12th grade or below) during some part of the current academic year.
Tie break procedure
2-WAY TIES
There will not be a tie-breaking set played
- The team that won the majority of head-to-head sets in pool play will be the higher finisher.
- If the 2 teams split head-to-head, then the team with the best cumulative point differential will be the higher finisher.
- If a tie still exists, a coin flip will determine the final finish.
ALL OTHER TIES
There will not be a tie-breaking set played
- Pool Match Record
- Set Percentage (against entire pool)
- Point Percentage (against entire pool)
- If a tie still exists between 2 of the teams, the result of their head-to-head will break the tie.
- If a tie still exists, coin flip to determine finishes
OTHER FORMAT NOTES
- All games are best 2 out of 3 sets, no cap.
- First two sets to 25 with deciding game to 15.
- All match start times are approximate; warm-up starts shortly after the previous match ends.
- Normal warm-up period and procedures in place.
OFFICIAL BALL
The New Baden VX550 All American is the Official Ball of the 2026 Volleyball Festival. The VX450 u12 light is used for the 12u division.
Format
Modified Festival Format. All teams will play on all 4 days of the event.
All teams play between 9 and 14 matches, unless they’ve elected to not play all days of the event.
All teams play at least 2 matches on Day 4 except for Gold Brackets
Gold Brackets on Day 4 are Single-Elimination
First 3 rounds are pool play, Days 4 is either pool play or bracket play depending how team has performed.
All matches best of 3 sets (2 sets to 25, deciding set to 15), unless in a 3 team pool.
All matches are at the Phoenix Convention Center.
No Tie-Break matches or sets will be played. View 2025 Tie-Break Procedures.
Teams have normal officiating assignments.
- 2nd Referee must be a Qualified Adult Coach or Assistant Coach.
- Players call 2 lines and keep score (flip score, BallerTV iPad, scoresheet and libero tracking).
Templates: Scoresheet, 3rd Set Scoresheet, Libero Tracking
Schedules & Results posted on AES.
Rosters limited to 3 coaches, 15 players and 1 chaperone (all must have AAU memberships).
No attendance limits for Parents/Spectators.