Varanasi to Host 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship 2026

Varanasi is set to witness a major sporting milestone. The city prepares to host the 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship for men and women. This event will take place from January 4 to 11, 2026. The prestigious national tournament will be held at Dr Sampurnanand Sports Stadium, Sigra. This marks the first time an event of this scale is being organised in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh. The championship aligns closely with the national vision of promoting sports under the Khelo India initiative.

National Championship Comes to Purvanchal

The hosting of the championship is being hailed as a historic moment for eastern Uttar Pradesh. Organisers confirmed that 73 teams from across the country will participate in the tournament. The teams include both men’s and women’s squads.

More than 1,000 players are expected to compete, offering spectators high-quality volleyball action over eight days. Officials believe the event will significantly enhance Varanasi’s profile on the national sports map. It will also strengthen local sports infrastructure, logistics management, and organisational capacity.

Prime Minister’s Support and Organisational Efforts

Varanasi Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari leads the organising committee. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. He is also the president of the state volleyball association. They formally invited him to the championship.

The Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes for the successful conduct of the tournament. He described it as inspiring for the youth. He emphasized the importance of sports in nation-building, discipline and youth engagement.

Local Culture Reflected Through Mascots and Arrangements

To showcase Kashi’s cultural and ecological identity, organisers have unveiled two official mascots:

‘Nandu’ — inspired by Nandi, symbolising strength, discipline and tradition
‘Neera’ — inspired by the endangered Ganga river dolphin, representing environmental awareness and conservation

To ensure fair play and transparency, arrangements include random anti-doping tests for participating athletes. Standard national-level officiating and competition protocols complement these arrangements.