Thailand announced they will host the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship 2025, which is scheduled for Aug 22 to Sept 7, with a total of 32 world's top women's national teams gathering across Thai cities.

The participating teams represent five continents. Powerhouses such as the United States, China, Japan, Brazil, Turkey, Italy, the Netherlands and reigning champions Serbia will join host nation Thailand, reinforcing the tournament's truly global reach, the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports confirmed Wednesday.

The tournament opens with the Pool Phase from Aug 22 to 27 across all four cities--Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Nakhon Ratchasima. Each host city offers a unique combination of sporting legacy, local culture, and visitor appeal.

The top 16 teams will move on to the knockout rounds in Bangkok, beginning with the Round of 16 from Aug 29 to Sept 1, followed by the Quarter-Finals on Sept 3 and 4, Semi-Finals on Sept 6, and the Final on Sept 7. There will be rest days scheduled between phases.

Sorawong Thienthong, minister of tourism and sports, said hosting the championship aligns perfectly with the "Grand Sports" series of the Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025.

"It boosts Thailand's global image, allows local fans to witness world-class volleyball, and is expected to generate over 8.5 billion Baht ($259.75 million) through tourism spending and worldwide media exposure, reaching more than 1.3 billion viewers," he added.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, noted that hosting the event brings Thailand a chance to showcase Thai culture, warm hospitality, and the ability to deliver sustainable global events.

Volleyball holds a strong presence in Thailand as the country's second most-watched sport. The women's national team, consistently ranked in the world's top 15, has a passionate fan base and will be a major draw as Thailand welcomes the world.

The FIVB Women's World Championship is part of a broader calendar of elite competitions, making 2025 a landmark year for Thai sport. Other major events include the 33rd SEA Games in December, the 13th ASEAN Para Games in January 2026, the MotoGP PT Grand Prix, the Muaythai World Festival, the Honda LPGA Thailand, and a series of UTMB trail running races.

yangwanli@chinadaily.com.cn