No respite for volleyball. With the Paris 2024 Games now in the rearview mirror, the international federation (FIVB) is preparing for a busy end of year, with an elective congress from November 15 to 17 in Portugal.
In place for 12 years, Brazilian Ary Graça will not seek a new mandate. He should be replaced by his compatriot Fabio Azevedo, the current general director of the body. He is the only candidate for the seat of president.
The year 2025 also promises to be full of action, with men's and women's world championships in Southeast Asia.
FrancsJeux asked Finn Taylor, general manager of Volleyball World, the commercial and events arm of the FIVB.
FrancsJeux : What did you think of the Olympic volleyball and beach volleyball tournaments at the Paris 2024 Games?
Finn taylor : They were a fantastic showcase for our sport, with incredible venues that really added value. The Eiffel Tower stadium in particular, one of the most Instagrammable at the Games and a phenomenon on social media around the world. The sporting presentation, a key aspect of major volleyball events, was a huge success. The FIVB and Volleyball World have worked hard for years to improve this aspect. It was a great source of pride for us to see volleyball establish itself as one of the most popular sports on the entire Olympic programme. Paris 2024 really demonstrated the potential of our sport. The momentum will now continue with the Beach Pro Tour and then with the many events on the calendar in 2025.
Four years before the event, how do you see the Los Angeles 2028 Games?
They represent an incredibly exciting opportunity. Paris 2024 has certainly set the bar high, but there is no doubt that volleyball and beach volleyball will be just as spectacular at Los Angeles 2028. The growing popularity of volleyball in the United States, exemplified by the Volleyball Nations League stages and their coverage on platforms such as VBTV and Big Ten Network, demonstrates the momentum that is already building. LA28 has the potential to harness this enthusiasm and deliver a truly awe-inspiring fan experience.
Why did you decide to increase the number of teams from 24 to 32 starting from the next World Volleyball Championships?
This adds considerable value to the event. Even more nations will have the opportunity to compete on the biggest stage in world volleyball. Their fans will be able to follow them. The new format of the World Championship is a testament to the growth and development of volleyball around the world.
The Volleyball World Championships will now be held every two years. What motivated this change?
In today's fast-moving media landscape, a biennial World Championship will enable a more linear story to be told. A biennial event offers more opportunities to engage fans, maintain enthusiasm for the sport and generate visibility for host cities. It's a strategic decision, designed to ensure a more sustained presence for volleyball on the world stage.
The 2025 World Championships will be held in Asia, in Thailand for the women, in the Philippines for the men. Is the Asian continent currently the leading market for volleyball?
Asia is undoubtedly a very important market for volleyball, and its weight continues to grow. We measured this with the success of the Nations League stages in the Philippines and Thailand, where attendance and fan engagement were very impressive. The decision to host the 2025 World Championships in these two countries – for the first time in history – is a reflection of the growth of volleyball in the region. These two global tournaments will further strengthen Asia’s role as a key market for our sport.
The FIVB will soon have a new president, with Brazilian Ary Graça set to step down next month. What impact will this have on Volleyball World?
The transition to a new FIVB President will certainly have an impact on Volleyball World, but we are confident that it will be positive. Dr. Ary Graça has done an extraordinary job during his 12-year presidency, shaping the sport and driving its growth globally. There is no doubt that the next President will continue to build on these foundations. The partnership between FIVB and Volleyball World is strong and the future is bright. We have already achieved a lot, but there is much more in the pipeline. The upcoming change promises to further strengthen the progression of volleyball.
