The Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA) is pleased to announce the host locations for the 2024 & 2025 Ontario Championships (OCs).
The OVA will be returning to the City of Waterloo and, for the first time in OCs history, the Nation’s capital of Ottawa will be in action for back-to-back tournaments of the largest provincial volleyball event of the year.
The OVA will make its Ontario Championships debut at the EY Centre in Ottawa next year, a venue which hosted the 18UG, 16U & 15UB Provincial Cup in 2022 with tremendous support from Ottawa Tourism. The Provincial Cup saw 24 courts running simultaneously at the weekend-long pilot event which garnered much excitement from the membership as a quality new location in which to compete.
"Ottawa Tourism is honoured to welcome the Ontario Volleyball Championships to Ottawa in 2024 and 2025," says Michael Crockatt, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism. "As the capital city of Canada, Ottawa is proud to host such a prestigious event and to showcase our city's world-class facilities, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. We look forward to welcoming Ontario’s most talented young volleyball players and their families, and we are confident that they will have an unforgettable experience and will leave with unforgettable memories."
Returning to RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex in Waterloo, the OVA continues a longstanding partnership with the City of Waterloo which has become synonymous with the Ontario Championships for OVA membership.
“Waterloo is excited to welcome the athletes, coaches, family members and spectators to our city in 2024 and 2025,” says City of Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe. “The players’ energy and skill levels are unmatched! We look forward to the top-notch competition and, when not playing, we invite everyone to experience our restaurants, small businesses, trails and other community amenities Waterloo has to offer.”
Waterloo was one of the sites of the 2022 Ontario Championships (co-hosted with Mississauga), an edition which drew 833 teams (572 to Waterloo) and marked the event’s return after an unprecedented two-year absence. It was a warm welcome back for the OVA which was greeted enthusiastically by those in attendance.
“The OVA is pleased to continue our long-standing relationship with the City of Waterloo, Explore Waterloo Region and are excited to partner with Ottawa Tourism for our first-ever Ontario Championships in Eastern Ontario,” said Alishia Lidums, Director of Volleyball Operations for the OVA. “After testing the waters with the Provincial Cup events in November 2022, the OVA looks forward to bringing the EY Centre into the mix of hosting venues for the Ontario Championships.
As our sport continues to grow and thrive, the OVA must find larger facilities to facilitate upwards of 1,000 teams and we are excited to be working with these exceptional venues and staff to host the Championships.”
The age division splits will be posted early in fall 2023; however, the below event dates have been confirmed:
2024
RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex, Waterloo
- Event 1: Friday, April 5 – Sunday, April 7
- Event 2: Thursday, April 11 – Saturday, April 13
- Event 3: Sunday, April 14 – Tuesday, April 16
- Event 4: Friday, April 19 – Sunday, April 21
EY Centre, Ottawa
- Event 5: Thursday, April 25 – Saturday, April 27
- Event 6: Sunday, April 28 – Tuesday, April 30
2025
RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex, Waterloo:
- Event 1: Friday, April 4 to Sunday, April 6
- Event 2: Thursday, April 10 to Saturday, April 12
- Event 3: Saturday, April 13 to Tuesday, April 15
- Event 4: Friday, April 18 to Sunday, April 20
EY Centre, Ottawa:
- Event 5: Thursday, April 24 – Saturday, April 26
- Event 6: Saturday, April 27 – Tuesday, April 29
With the 2023 Ontario Championships at a record-setting 901 unique teams, the flagship indoor event for the OVA is growing rapidly and becoming akin to that of a festival and celebration of volleyball. As the sport continues to see new members and reach new heights, the OVA is glad to have the support of those in Ottawa and Waterloo.
