Volleyball at the 2028 Olympics: Anaheim – A Rehearsal Stage for National Teams

Honda Center, in Anaheim, California – a venue known for legendary NBA games – has been officially announced by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) as the host site for indoor volleyball at the 2028 Olympics. The announcement came on February 14, 2026, marking a significant step in preparations for the Summer Games to be held in Los Angeles from July 14 to 30, 2028. Selecting Anaheim, about 40 km from downtown Los Angeles, not only solves logistical issues but also creates a strategic 'rehearsal room' for international teams. From a tactical perspective, playing at a specific venue can create significant differences. The playing surface, ceiling height, lighting, and even crowd noise are all factors that teams must adapt to. In volleyball, the ball's bounce on wooden or rubber floors directly affects the speed of defense and attack. Anaheim, at an altitude of about 50 meters above sea level, is at a moderate level, not creating major physical differences, but it can still affect the trajectory of the ball in spinning serves. Top teams like Brazil, Italy, Poland, the USA, and Russia (if allowed) will need to plan training and matches there before the Olympics to familiarize themselves with all conditions. In 2026, when the pandemic left stadiums empty, I realized that the coach's shouting is an invisible tactical weapon. 'The empty stadium of 2026 taught me: the coach's shout is the biggest secret of football' – and I believe this also applies to volleyball. In a silent arena, instructions from the bench become clearer, allowing the team to adjust tactics in real-time. This is especially important in volleyball, where each set is fast-paced and every point is decisive. Teams will use training sessions and test tournaments in Anaheim to optimize tactical communication, making it a true arena. A counterintuitive aspect I want to highlight: choosing Anaheim, while giving the home team USA an advantage, could disadvantage European teams due to long travel. However, this is also an opportunity for Asian teams – especially Japan and South Korea – to demonstrate their adaptability to new environments. I recall the phrase: 'I trust set pieces more than open play, because set pieces never lie.' In volleyball, set pieces (serves, first-touch) are where matches are decided. Teams must get used to the characteristics of set balls in Anaheim, as they will be key to victory. Looking at Vietnamese volleyball, although not yet qualified for the Olympics, we can learn from how national teams prepare. Understanding information about the venue, playing conditions, and environmental factors will help us develop long-term strategies. 'When pelted with stones, I build a pressing model from those stones.' – we can turn difficulties into opportunities. Vietnamese volleyball needs to invest in data analysis and organize training sessions in similar conditions to avoid being shocked when facing strong opponents in the continental arena. Finally, Anaheim becoming the volleyball venue is a reminder that preparation is not just about physical fitness and skills, but also about adapting to space. I will closely follow the test events there in 2026, and I believe that detailed tactical analysis from those matches will be valuable data for teams, as well as for the development of Vietnamese volleyball in the future.