Volleyball made headlines this week, with Sportico reporting on Monday that a merger will see the two-season-old Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) join with the incoming Major League Volleyball (MLV) for a joint 2026 launch.
Though originally separate ventures, the eight-team PVF will now adopt MLV branding, setting up one unified league.
Investors include owners from the NBA and MLS, as well as three-time US Olympic beach volleyball gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings.
Eight teams will hit courts for the 2026 season. MLV subsequently expects to add franchises in Washington, DC, and Northern California in 2027. Further expansion is planned for the coming years.
“To see the sport continue to grow with the consolidation of these teams and their leaders elevates the excitement level to new heights,” said PVF chief executive Jen Spicher told reporters.
“Our belief in the team-ownership model that we played under for the first two seasons is stronger than ever and will showcase the sport at a greater level throughout the nation.”
The volleyball merger keeps both 2024 champions Omaha and the 2025 title-winning Orlando Valkyries in the same league.
Other established teams in Atlanta, Columbus, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, and San Diego will reportedly join Omaha and Orlando under the MLV banner. The league expects 2026 expansion side Dallas to follow suit.
The consolidation of the two leagues also partially addresses the increasingly crowded women's volleyball landscape, with multiple leagues set to play in 2026.
