Thailand will host the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship from 22 August to 7 September 2025, marking a major milestone in its push to become a premier global sports destination. The tournament, featuring 32 national teams from around the world, will take place across four cities—Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Nakhon Ratchasima—showcasing Thailand’s growing role in international sporting events.
Thailand is set to welcome the world for the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2025, a flagship international competition in the sport’s calendar. Scheduled from 22 August to 7 September, the event will bring together 32 of the world’s top women’s national volleyball teams in a multi-city format spanning Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Nakhon Ratchasima.
The tournament will begin with the Pool Phase, taking place from 22 to 27 August across all four host cities. The top 16 teams will proceed to the knockout stages in Bangkok, including the Round of 16 from 29 August to 1 September, followed by the Quarter-Finals on 3–4 September. The Semi-Finals and Final are scheduled for 6 and 7 September respectively. Rest days have been incorporated between each phase to accommodate player recovery and logistics.
Participating teams represent a broad geographic spread: three from Africa, four from Asia, 16 from Europe, six from the NORCECA zone, and three from South America. Leading national teams such as the United States, China, Brazil, Japan, Türkiye, and Italy will join host nation Thailand. Serbia, the reigning world champions, will also compete, contributing to the tournament’s competitive depth and international appeal.
In line with efforts to boost sports tourism, the event is expected to contribute significantly to Thailand’s economy. Projections estimate over 8.5 billion Baht in tourism revenue, with the global broadcast expected to reach an audience exceeding 1.3 billion viewers. Matches will be broadcast live via VBTV and the Volleyball World YouTube channel, making the event widely accessible.
Each of the host cities brings a history of engagement with volleyball and international sports. Bangkok, the capital, has previously hosted major events including the 2024 Volleyball Nations League Women’s Finals and the Asian Games. Chiang Mai, known for its cultural heritage, was the venue for the 1995 Women’s Asian Championship and recent Southeast Asia Volleyball League matches. Nakhon Ratchasima remains a key center for volleyball development and has hosted events such as the U19 World Championship and Asian Club competitions. Phuket, with its strong beach volleyball legacy, has held multiple FIVB World Tour events, including age-group world championships.
Sustainability will also be a focus during the tournament, with Thailand implementing its “Green Heart Event” framework to promote environmentally responsible practices, reduce waste, and conserve resources throughout the championship.
The event is part of a broader series of high-profile sporting events planned in Thailand for 2025 and early 2026. These include the SEA Games in December, the ASEAN Para Games in January 2026, the MotoGP PT Grand Prix, the Muaythai World Festival, the Honda LPGA Thailand, and various UTMB trail running events.
Volleyball continues to hold a prominent place in Thailand’s sports culture, ranking as the second most-watched sport nationally. The women’s national team, which regularly places among the global top 15, will represent the country on home soil, supported by a dedicated local fan base.
Government and tourism officials, including the Minister of Tourism and Sports and the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, have expressed strong backing for the championship, citing its alignment with the “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025” strategy.
