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Volleyball Hall of Fame, World Volleyball Day
Join the Global Celebration
On 7 July 2025, volleyball fans worldwide will unite to celebrate the sport we love. From beaches and courts to parks and playgrounds, let’s come together and showcase how volleyball inspires, unites, and empowers communities everywhere.
Why July 7?On July 7, 1896, William G. Morgan brought two teams of men from the city of Holyoke to the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, to publicly demonstrate his newly invented game. This historic exhibition marked the first time the game was showcased outside of the Holyoke YMCA, laying the foundation for what would become the global sport of volleyball. The two teams were captained by prominent local leaders:
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William G. Morgan (top row left) with the teams that first publicly demonstrated volleyball on July 7, 1896
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Although the names of the full rosters have been lost to history, the symbolism remains powerful—civic leaders and community servants standing at the forefront of a sport that would go on to unite millions around the world.
The timing of that first public demonstration in 1896 makes the celebration of World Volleyball Day on July 7 even more meaningful.
This global day of recognition honors volleyball’s ability to inspire, unite, and empower communities, just as it did in that YMCA gymnasium over a century ago.
By spotlighting the sport’s origins in Holyoke, Massachusetts, World Volleyball Day also celebrates how a local innovation—driven by inclusion, collaboration, and creativity—grew into a worldwide movement.
From a local gym to a global game, the legacy of that July 1896 demonstration continues to resonate—making July 7 not only a celebration of volleyball’s global impact, but also a tribute to its humble and historic roots.
The Hall of Fame Museum is open and celebrating over 125 years. Volleyball has a storied history rooted in inspirational champions, impactful leaders, and great moments that have influenced history, on and off the court. The Museum at the International Volleyball Hall of Fame shares the narrative of volleyball history from its origins through present day
Hundreds of objects are displayed from the International Volleyball Hall of Fame’s collection. Completely redesigned and now showcasing more of the collection than ever before, the new Museum offers a comprehensive and intriguing narrative of volleyball history in an engaging manner.
We encourage you to purchase your tickets online prior to your visit. We look forward to having you as our guest. We miss you and are excited to welcome you back to our newly renovated museum.
The International Volleyball Hall of Fame remains committed to our efforts to share the story of volleyball globally at all levels of the game. However, now, more than ever, we need the help and support of volleyball fans worldwide and our local community to help us accomplish this.
This continues to be a challenging year for the International Volleyball Hall of Fame. Our Museum is operating on reduced hours and our annual large public events so vital to our fundraising have been cancelled.
Whether it’s a current player striving to be the next champion or a child picking up a volleyball for the first time, volleyball history and its legends have the unlimited potential to inspire. A gift today will allow us to continue creating opportunities to keep young athletes active and engaged to grow their love of the arts, history, culture, and sport.
BE A PART OF PRESERVING VOLLEYBALL HISTORY
Honor. Preserve. Promote. Those are the three tenets of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame mission.
And through the Hall of Fame’s Membership Program, volleyball fans from around the world can be part of the team that is preserving the Game’s history and celebrating the all-time greats.
In addition to being part of preserving volleyball history, Members receive a full roster of benefits.
But for many, the benefits of Membership cannot be held in their hands. Their Membership brings with it the knowledge that they are part of volleyball’s history.
