Summer in Ningbo has been fully engulfed by volleyball fever, as the 2026 VNL Men's Finals have kicked off at the Beilun Sports and Art Center. Eight world-class men's volleyball teams have converged on this renowned "City of Volleyball" for the event. The single-elimination format is cranking up the suspense for every match, blending high-stakes competition with lighthearted fun both inside and outside the arena to deliver an all-around volleyball carnival for fans.
The Beilun Sports and Art Center (Photo: Yang Hui)
The schedule has been packed with nonstop highlights. The quarterfinal matches for the top half of the bracket kicked off on Wednesday, featuring host China against Japan, who boasted an unbeatable 12-win streak in the preliminary round. Over 6,500 spectators filled the stands, cheering loudly for the home side, yet China fell short with a 1-3 loss. The bottom-half quarterfinals followed on Thursday, during which Italy, the US, Poland, and Ukraine battled for the last four semi-final spots. Friday serves as a rest day for teams to rest and review game footage. The semi-finals are set to take place on Saturday, with the bronze medal match and highly anticipated championship final closing out the tournament on Sunday.
The venue has undergone smart upgrades, with 4K live broadcast equipment, competition-grade lighting and lively on-site entertainment elevating the viewing experience. Fans at home can tune in via CCTV5 and Migu Video to catch every moment of the action alongside spectators at the matches.
Spectators attend a match in Ningbo. (Photo: Yang Hui)
The home arena has been packed, with fans traveling far and wide to cheer on their favorite players. A pre-tournament autograph session drew massive crowds; many supporters traveled across provinces just to meet national team stars. Cheers and camera shutters echoed through the venue, with fans waving rally banners and wearing team merchandise to fuel the electric volleyball atmosphere.
After enjoying intense matches, visitors can head to the outdoor plaza for the 2026 Beilun Volleyball Carnival, a perfect spot to unwind between games. A giant inflatable volleyball installation stands as an eye-catching landmark, alongside Glory Avenue showcasing Beilun's decades-long volleyball legacy—ideal backdrops for social media snapshots. Five interactive challenge stations are offering fun tests, including serve speed measurement and block drills. Visitors can collect stamps by finishing each challenge and then redeem them for limited-edition perks like mascot keychains and themed fans, available daily while supplies last. Lucky visitors may even run into retired national volleyball players roaming the stalls for chats, photos and casual volleyball tutorials. A bustling market is also selling exclusive event souvenirs and local Beilun cultural goods, alongside food trucks serving tasty street snacks to refuel visitors.
This summer, Beilun is balancing thrilling elite matches with laid-back public entertainment, creating an unforgettable volleyball getaway packed with passion and joy.
Poster for the carnival
Visitors take photos at the carnival. (Photo: Yang Hui)
(Source: Ningbo Evening News)