Louisville Selected to Host 2021 Open Nationals

Print

BY BILL KAUFFMAN (BILL.KAUFFMAN@USAV.ORG) | MAY 14, 2020, 10:55 A.M. (ET)

The skyline of Louisville, Kentucky

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 14, 2020) – USA Volleyball is proud to announce that Louisville, Kentucky, will host the 2021 USA Volleyball Open National Championship.

The 2021 USA Volleyball Open National Championship will be held May 28 to June 2 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Louisville last hosted the USA Volleyball Open National Championship in 2013.

“We are excited to bring back the Open National Championship to Louisville in 2021,” USA Volleyball Director of Events Kristy Cox said. “Louisville was an excellent host city for the 2013 Open Nationals. Louisville has an oasis of activities and sites to visit, and the Kentucky Exposition Center will help provide many lasting memories on the courts.”

The Open Nationals, formed in 1928, will be in its 91st edition in Louisville. The event has been held annually except for two years during World War II and this year’s event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Open Nationals typically draws in excess of 500 teams with 6,000-plus players converging on the host city. Players range in age from 18 to 80-plus with the oldest age division being the Men’s 78-and-Over bracket.

“In these uncertain times, it’s an honor for Louisville to be awarded the 2021 USA Volleyball Open National Championship,” Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) President and CEO Karl F. Schmitt, Jr. said. “Louisville has a large volleyball fan base and an affinity for championship-level volleyball. And our local hospitality industry is ready to roll out the red carpet for all the adult athletes, family members and fans.”

“USA Volleyball has been a long and trusted partner of Louisville Tourism, the Kentucky State Fair Board and the Louisville Sports Commission for more than 20 years,” LSC Vice President of Sports Development Greg Fante said. “The last time we had the privilege to host this event was in 2013, and we look forward to once again welcoming the 6,500 attendees for the adult championship event.”

Anyone in search of an adventure in Louisville would enjoy a day trip to Mammoth Cave National Park, the longest cave in the world. The home of the Kentucky Derby has much history about the horse race. An outing with the kids could include trips to the Muhammad Ali Center and the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. Louisville also offers a variety of elegant cuisine, as well as comfort foods to meet everybody’s tastes. And, of course, the city’s Urban Bourbon Trail offers a unique experience with 11 bourbon distilleries and 44 bars and restaurants with bourbon-inspired dining and at least 50 different bourbon labels on the bar.

“We are honored and appreciative that USA Volleyball has committed to bring the USA Volleyball Open National Championship to Louisville's Kentucky Exposition Center,” Louisville Tourism President and CEO Karen Williams said. “Our city enjoys a long history with this key sports organization and we look forward to welcoming them in 2021.”

Louisville has hosted several USA Volleyball national championship events, including the 1937 USA Volleyball Open National Championship. Louisville hosted the USA Volleyball Girls’ National Championship in 2000 followed by the USA Volleyball Boys Junior National Championships in 2002 and 2005. The USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Invitational Championships were held in Louisville in in 2002 and 2005.

CONTACT:
Bill Kauffman, USA Volleyball senior manager of communications, bill.kauffman@usav.org
Lisa Mills, Louisville Sports Commission director of marketing and public relations, lmills@louisvilleports.org