Behind The Banner May 2023

BEHIND THE BANNER

may

Volleyball in Dallas Remains the Right Fit

By Alex Gilbert

Dallas has a long and storied history as a world-renowned sports market, but volleyball has always been at the forefront.

From youth to adult competition, you can find volleyball events in Dallas in every flavor, shape, and size. This year, the Dallas Sports Commission is welcomed back the USA Volleyball Open National Championship to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas.

As the longest-running volleyball tournament in the United States, the USA Volleyball Open National Championship attracts adult teams from around the country to compete. Any skill level is welcome to

compete, and teams range from men to women and ages 18-80.

In addition to competing, athletes had the chance to see the Sitting National Teams train and scrimmage over the course of the weekend. This year was an extraordinary time to watch the National Teams train as the Women’s Sitting National Team qualified for the 2024 Paralympic Games, where they will defend their two-time Paralympic gold medal status. The team defeated Canada 3-1 to qualify and is the first U.S. team to qualify for the 2024 Games in any sport.

Throughout the competition, players had a chance to

As a result, the participants develop long-lasting friendships throughout the course of the event at player parties and banquets. USA Volleyball even organizes special theme days to encourage the teams to get involved in the fun. This year’s themes were Fanny Pack Friday on May 26th and Western Wednesday on May 31st.

“USA Volleyball is happy to be bring its Open

Jamie Davis, USA Volleyball president and CEO. “It was great working with the Dallas Sports Commission and the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. I know our athletes, coaches, officials, fans, and families had a great time on and off the court.”

“We are thrilled that our partnership with USA Volleyball continued this year for Open National Championship,” said Monica Paul, Executive Director of the Dallas

Sports Commission. “It was a privilege to have the opportu-nity to support and bolster volleyball yet again in our city.”

USA Volleyball hosted its Annual Meeting in Dallas leading up to this year's tournament. During the meetings, the team celebrated the new inductees of the USA Volleyball Hall of Fame at the Dorothy C. Boyce Banquet. The Banquet took place May 24th and honored leaders and stars throughout USA Volleyball history.

Last year’s USA Volleyball Open National Championship had more than 300 teams and approximately 3,600 athletes. The 2023 tournament had over 412 teams registered to compete, proving once again that Dallas is the prime location for any volleyball event.

DALLAS BRINGS ITS BIG ENERGY TO WORLD CUP BRAND LAUNCH

By Stephen Evans

The countdown has officially begun, and Dallas is preparing for its day in the FIFA World Cup sun. Futbol is taking over football country, and despite the first match of the FIFA 2026 World Cup still being years away, it’s never too early for a Texassized celebration.

FIFA World Cup 2026 is expected to be the biggest single-sport event of all-time. Spread throughout the entire North American continent, FIFA World Cup 2026 will see an expanded format that includes 48 teams competing in 104 matches in 16 host cities across three countries. That means more host countries than ever, more host cities than ever, and more teams and matches than ever. And when you mention bigger, better, and just more, that’s speaking our language here in Big D.

So what’s going on over the next three years as we await the beautiful game’s arrival in our backyard? This month FIFA, the Dallas Sports Commission, Dallas sports leaders, and markets across North America launched the FIFA World Cup 2026 brand, officially starting the clock on local and national festivities, allowing people, places, and communities to play an integral role in building the momentum towards an event still three years away.

Organizers are hoping to deliver the biggest and most inclusive and diverse FIFA World Cup ever in 2026. Not only are three countries coming together as one, but Dallas leaders are bringing together our entire region - from Dallas to Fort Worth, Arlington to Frisco, Grapevine to Plano, and each and every

community in the Metroplex - to become one melting pot of culture, camaraderie, and vitality in uniting for a festival of futbol.

“There is great anticipation and belief throughout our region that FIFA World Cup 2026 could be the biggest sporting event we have ever hosted, and that’s a big deal when you consider some of the iconic events that Dallas has hosted in the past,” said Monica Paul, Executive Director of the Dallas Sports Commission. “We are kicking off an unprecedented three-year build up that will unite our region like never before.”

Broadcast Center host site, training sites for numerous teams during their World Cup stay, and other basecamps for groups such as the tournament’s referees.

On the day of the official brand launch by FIFA, soccer fans throughout the region converged on AT&T Discovery District and Toyota Stadium to participate in live watch parties. There, Dallas’ collective big energy was released, scattering fans throughout the area for scavenger hunts in search of officially-branded merchandise and apparel at sites such as AT&T Discovery District, Klyde Warren Park, Fort Worth Stockyards, The Star in Frisco, and Texas Live!.

Now it’s time for you to get involved. Demonstrate to the world just exactly what and who Dallas is. Using the hashtag #WeAreDallas on Twitter and other social media platforms, show the world your excitement for the FIFA World Cup coming to Dallas. Attend FIFA World Cup celebration events when they come to your local community. And open your arms to the world with the hospitality we have always been known to hand out.

“When we talk about the ALL in Dallas, this is what we mean,” Paul added. “This is something that everyone in our region can be a part of.

#WeAreDallas isn’t just a hashtag to rally around on social media, it’s a real movement, a coming together of our region. We are a region of bold energy and passion that unifies around sports, whether it’s our major league teams, all of our youth sports teams and leagues throughout the Metroplex, or the megaevents that come to Dallas because of the sporting culture we have created.”

The theme of World Cup 2026 is unprecedented unity, and WE ARE 26 is the rallying cry. And our region is unifying to make its pitch as one of the critical hubs of the worldwide event, working hard behind the scenes to land one of the prestigious semifinal matches or the championship match, along with other designations such as the International

Fans can keep up with all of the happenings around Dallas’ celebration of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at www.dallasfwc26.com and on social media using the handle @fwc26dallas on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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