Quebec just made volleyball history. The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) announced Wednesday that Montreal and Quebec City will serve as host cities for the 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup, marking the first time Canada has hosted the sport’s premier international competition.
Canada and the United States were confirmed as co-hosts of the tournament back in September 2025. With this announcement, FIVB President Fabio Azevedo confirmed that Montreal and Quebec City join Omaha, Nebraska; Orlando, Florida; and Anaheim, California as the five host cities that will welcome 32 national teams for the tournament.
Quebec at the Heart of the Action
The 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup runs August 20 to September 5, 2027. Montreal and Quebec City will host Pool Play and the Round of 16 from August 20 to 28, alongside Omaha and Orlando. From there, the tournament moves to Anaheim for the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final.
With more than 800 million fans worldwide, this will be the first FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup ever held in North America — a milestone organizers say is a major opportunity to put women’s volleyball on the international map and further cement Montreal’s reputation as a destination for major sporting events.
“Montreal is playing an active role in the growth of women’s sport, and hosting the FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup is a strong example of that commitment,” said Yves Lalumière, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal. “We are proud to be part of this international momentum and to make this World Cup an experience worthy of Montreal’s reputation as a city that knows how to host major events. Taking place in the heart of summer, it will also give thousands of visitors and fans the opportunity to discover Montreal and contribute to tourism activity across the city.”
Montreal Eyes a New North American Attendance Record
Organizers aren’t just hoping to host a good tournament in Montreal — they’re aiming to make history at the Bell Centre. As part of the World Cup, organizers are targeting a new North American attendance record for an international volleyball match played in an indoor arena, with the goal of surpassing the 15,602 spectators who packed the venue during the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games.
A Key Stop on the Road to LA28
Beyond the spectacle, the tournament carries real Olympic stakes. As the competition makes its North American debut, it also doubles as a qualifying event for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics — with a new tournament format in which the three highest-ranked national teams that haven’t yet qualified for LA28 will earn their Olympic berths on the spot.
Team Canada has already punched its ticket to Los Angeles 2028, having secured its spot with a win at the NORCECA continental qualification tournament. That means the World Cup gives the national team a rare chance to measure itself against the best teams in the world on home soil, in front of Canadian crowds.
Canadian Olympian Josée Corbeil, who represented Canada at the 1996 Atlanta Games, called the moment a full-circle one for the sport in Canada. “I had the privilege of representing Canada at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta,” Corbeil said. “Nearly 30 years later, seeing a new generation of players qualify for LA28 and have the opportunity to compete in a home World Cup is extraordinary. It’s a wonderful passing of the torch and a unique opportunity to inspire young girls to dream of reaching the highest level of their sport.”
“Quebec Is Truly a Volleyball Province”
For Volleyball Québec, the announcement lands as validation of a sport with deep roots in the province. “This is a significant moment for volleyball in Quebec,” said Guillaume Proulx Goulet, Executive Director of Volleyball Québec. “Welcoming the world’s best players to a legendary venue like Bell Centre is an incredible opportunity to celebrate the women who are driving our sport forward and inspire the next generation of athletes.”
Proulx Goulet pointed to the sport’s makeup in the province as part of what makes the moment resonate. “Women represent 70% of Volleyball Quebec’s community, making this World Cup especially meaningful to us,” he said. “Quebec is truly a volleyball province, and we cannot wait to see the stands packed with fans cheering on the world’s best players and helping shine an even brighter spotlight on women’s volleyball.”
A Landmark Summer for Women’s Sport
The timing lines up with a broader moment for women’s sport internationally — the Volleyball World Cup kicks off just weeks after the FIFA Women’s World Cup wraps up, making 2027 a landmark year on the international sporting calendar.
Tickets and Broadcast
Ticket prices are expected to be announced in mid-October, when the tournament’s pools and competition draw are unveiled. Further details on broadcast coverage are expected closer to the tournament
