The NCAA men’s volleyball national championship will expand from nine teams to 12 beginning with the 2026 season.
The new format will include four non-predetermined regional sites for the opening rounds, turning the event from a one-week, single-site tournament into a two-week competition. Each regional will feature three teams, with the top seed earning a bye to the final. The four regional winners will advance to the semifinals and finals, which will continue to be held at a predetermined location.
The expansion also increases the number of at-large bids from two to five, adding more opportunities for programs outside of the automatic conference champions.
Hawai‘i head coach Charlie Wade, who has guided the Rainbow Warriors to two national titles, said the change reflects growth for the sport.
“Yeah, great to see growth and expansion in the sport,” Wade said. “It’s been in the works for years and nice to see that the NCAA finally approved the budget cycle. With 12 teams in the event, more fan bases will get a chance to experience championship competition, which is a great thing. More student-athletes will get to experience it, so really good for the game overall.”
Wade added that while Honolulu could host in the future, the team remains focused on qualifying and contending for championships.
Strategically, the change could also affect how coaches manage their rosters during the season.
“If you’re in position late in the season and maybe have to get into that league semifinal, if you’ve got a guy a little dinged up and feel like your resume is strong, you might play things differently,” Wade said.
Hawai‘i’s 2026 season begins in January, with the schedule to be released in the coming months.
The Rainbow Warriors are coming off a Big West Championship and their ninth trip to the national semifinals.
Key returnees include setter Tread Rosenthal, middle blocker Justin Todd, and pin-hitters Kristian Titriyski, Louis Sakanoko, Adrien Roure, Finn Kearney and Kainoa Wade.