What International Volleyball Federation does

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB, legal name: FIVB Fédération Internationale de Volleyball) is the sole international governing body for all forms of volleyball — indoor, beach, and snow volleyball — and the recognized federation under the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Founded in 1947 and headquartered at Château Les Tourelles, Edouard-Sandoz 2-4, Lausanne, Switzerland, FIVB operates a federated governance model coordinating 220+ national member federations grouped into five continental confederations (AVC, CAVB, CEV, CSV, NORCECA). It serves primarily national federations, professional athletes, coaches, referees, clubs, and fans across the global volleyball ecosystem.

FIVB's product portfolio spans four pillars: (1) competition assets including the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), Beach Pro Tour, World Championships across senior and age categories (U17, U19, Beach U18), the Snow Volleyball World Tour, Men's and Women's Club World Championships, and Olympic-qualifying events such as the Volleyball World Cup; (2) digital platforms including VBTV (subscription streaming for live and on-demand matches), a global Players' Database, an International Transfers System with Federation-of-Origin Solidarity Fee provisions, and a Referee Database; (3) education and development programs including the Coaches Education Program, Referee Certification Courses, FIVB E-Learning platform, International Centres of Excellence (ICoE), Volleyball Empowerment funding initiative, and the Women in Coaching Initiative; and (4) technical and certification services including an equipment Homologation Program (balls, sport floors, nets, antennae, posts, referee chairs) tested through partner laboratories (EMPA, IST Consulting, AISTS), approved Video Challenge Systems (BOLT6, HAWK-EYE, BLITZ) for officiating, an Anti-Doping Program, a Safeguarding framework, and a FIVB Licensed Agents program for player representation. The organization also operates the Volleyball Foundation subsidiary for development and the Volleyball World commercial partnership entity.

FIVB does not operate a commercial pricing model for end consumers; revenue is generated indirectly through broadcasting rights, sponsorship agreements (with Global Partners including Mikasa, Gerflor, Senoh, Mizuno, Ganten, and 1xBet), equipment homologation fees paid by manufacturers, and the exclusive commercial partnership with Volleyball World (originally established in 2018, extended through 2052) which captures the majority of centralized media and commercial value. The federation is governed by a World Congress with a Board of Administration and Executive Committee, and strategic direction is articulated in the Strategic Vision 2032 roadmap. Distribution to global audiences occurs via the fivb.com portal, the VBTV streaming platform, national federations acting as regional channel partners, and Volleyball World's commercial network.

Name

International Volleyball Federation

Legal name

FIVB Fédération Internationale de Volleyball

Website

https://fivb.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) is the IOC-recognized global governing body for volleyball, beach volleyball, and snow volleyball, headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. It coordinates 220+ national federations across five continental zones, organizing elite competitions and delivering digital, educational, and homologation services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Sports Federation Governance

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

International Sport Federations (IFs) (MPAKAFAB)

Keywords

• Sports federation governance
• Volleyball competitions
• Referee certification programs
• Athlete transfer management
• Equipment homologation testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

FIVB is the sole international governing body for volleyball, beach volleyball, and snow volleyball, organizing world-class competitions such as the Volleyball Nations League, Beach Pro Tour, World Championships across age categories, and Club World Championships. It maintains global rankings, manages international player transfers, certifies coaches and referees through education programs, and operates the VBTV streaming platform and digital databases (Players' Database, Referee Database). The federation also runs an equipment homologation program testing balls, floors, and nets through certified laboratories, an anti-doping program, and Volleyball Empowerment development initiatives for national federations.

Product overview

FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball) is the governing body for all forms of volleyball globally. The organization operates a multi-product portfolio comprising: (1) Major tournament series including the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), Beach Pro Tour, World Championships across age categories (U17, U19, senior), Snow Volleyball World Tour, and the Men's and Women's Club World Championships; (2) Digital platforms including VBTV streaming service, Players' Database, Referee Database, and Volleyball Transfers system; (3) Education and development programs including Coaches Education, Referee Certification Courses, and E-Learning; (4) Development initiatives such as Volleyball Empowerment (providing coach support, equipment, knowledge transfer) and International Centres of Excellence network; (5) Technical services including Homologation certification for equipment (balls, floors, nets) and Video Challenge System for officiating; (6) Licensing programs for player agents. The organization is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, and manages competitions, player transfers, referee training, and equipment standards for volleyball worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Women in Coaching Initiative: FIVB's female coach initiative focusing on access, professional development and meaningful roles for women in coaching
• Volleyball Empowerment
• Snow Volleyball
• FIVB E-Learning
• ICoE - International Centres of Excellence

Products and services

• FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Annual elite international volleyball competition featuring top national teams competing in preliminary rounds and finals.
• FIVB Beach Pro Tour International beach volleyball circuit offering various tournament levels from Futures to Elite 16 events.
• FIVB Girls' U17 World Championship International youth volleyball championship for female athletes under 17 years of age, with 24 teams competing across multiple host cities.
• FIVB Boys' U17 World Championship International youth volleyball championship for male athletes under 17 years of age.
• FIVB Beach Volleyball Under 18 World Championship International youth beach volleyball championship for athletes under 18 years of age.
• Snow Volleyball World Tour International snow volleyball circuit featuring competitions on snow in various global locations.
• FIVB Volleyball World Cup Prestigious international volleyball tournament serving as qualification for Olympic Games.
• FIVB Men's Club World Championship International club volleyball championship for men's professional clubs, hosted in Poland for 2026 and 2027 editions.
• FIVB Women's Club World Championship International club volleyball championship for women's professional clubs, hosted in São Paulo for the fourth edition.
• VBTV (Volleyball TV) Official subscription-based streaming platform for FIVB volleyball competitions, providing live and on-demand coverage of events worldwide.
• Players' Database Comprehensive database of volleyball and beach volleyball players with statistics, profiles, and career information.
• Volleyball Transfers System System for managing international player transfers and federation changes between clubs and national teams, including Federation of Origin Solidarity Fee provisions.
• Referee Database Database of certified international volleyball and beach volleyball referees with qualification records.
• Coaches Education Program Training and certification program for volleyball coaches with courses scheduled through a public calendar system.
• Referee Certification Courses Official training programs for volleyball and beach volleyball referees with regulations and certification forms.
• E-Learning Platform Online learning management system for volleyball education including courses for coaches and referees.
• Volleyball Empowerment Program Support initiative providing coach support, equipment, and knowledge transfer programs to national federations for volleyball development.
• International Centres of Excellence Recognition framework and network of facilities providing advanced volleyball training and development resources.
• Homologation Program Technical certification program for volleyball equipment including balls, floors, nets, antennas, and posts through designated testing laboratories (EMPA, IST Consulting, AISTS).
• Video Challenge System Instant replay technology system for volleyball officiating, with approved vendors including BOLT6, HAWK-EYE, and BLITZ.
• FIVB Licensed Agents Program Licensing program for player agents who represent athletes in international volleyball transfers and contracts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 220+ national federations governed globally
• +1 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Volleyball WorldflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 August 2026Volleyball World and the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) extended their exclusive commercial partnership through 2052, marking one of the longest-term collaborations in volleyball. This partnership covers the exclusive commercial rights for volleyball and beach volleyball in Asia, building on the original agreement established in 2018.
• MikasacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Global Partner and equipment supplier providing official volleyballs (V200W, V300W indoor; BV550C-WYBR beach), nets, posts, antennae, and referee chairs. Mikasa has been the official ball supplier for FIVB competitions.
• GerflorcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial supplier of sports floors (Taraflex® brand) for FIVB competitions including indoor volleyball, beach volleyball, and snow volleyball venues.
• SenohcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial equipment supplier providing nets, posts, antennae, and referee chairs for FIVB competitions.
• 1xBetcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal Partner of FIVB for betting and gaming services related to volleyball competitions.
• GantencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal Partner providing beverage products (likely water/beverages) for FIVB events.
• MizunocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial equipment supplier for volleyball apparel and footwear.
• EMPA (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology)coreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial testing laboratory for FIVB ball homologation testing, specifically testing volleyball balls for official competition use.
• IST Consulting GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial testing institute for sport floor testing and certification for FIVB competitions.
• AISTS (Académie Internationale des Sciences et Techniques du Sport)coreTechnology or IntegrationInternational academy providing testing for nets, antennas, post pads, and referee chairs homologation.
• BOLT6coreTechnology or IntegrationApproved Video Challenge System provider for FIVB volleyball competitions.
• HAWK-EYEcoreTechnology or IntegrationApproved Video Challenge System provider for FIVB volleyball competitions.
• Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinental governing body for volleyball in Asia, partnered with FIVB and extended commercial partnership through 2052.
• African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinental governing body for volleyball in Africa, part of FIVB's zonal association structure.
• European Volleyball Confederation (CEV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinental governing body for volleyball in Europe, part of FIVB's zonal association structure.
• South American Volleyball Confederation (CSV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinental governing body for volleyball in South America, part of FIVB's zonal association structure.
• North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinental governing body for volleyball in North, Central America and Caribbean region, part of FIVB's zonal association structure.
• International Olympic Committee (IOC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFIVB operates under IOC framework and guidelines, including eligibility policies and reintegration of Russian athletes following IOC recommendations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association): The international federation for football and the largest sport governing body globally. Most direct comparable as an IF operating a World Cup, continental confederations, commercial partner cycles, and youth development programs at a similar structural level — though with vastly larger scale.
• FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball): International federation for basketball with analogous structure: continental zones, FIBA Basketball World Cup, club competitions, qualification pathways, and youth championships. Directly comparable in governance model and Olympic-sport commercial dynamics.
• World Rugby: International federation for rugby union and league. Operates Rugby World Cup, Sevens Series, regional associations, and player transfer/referee databases — directly comparable structure to FIVB.
• World Athletics: International federation governing track and field. Comparable as an Olympic IF running World Championships, Diamond League-style circuits, continental area associations, and integrity programs (anti-doping).
• International Handball Federation (IHF): International federation for handball, a comparable indoor Olympic team sport with similar continental confederation structure, World Championships, and club/national competitions. Closely matched scale and demographic profile.
• International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF): International federation for ice hockey with World Championships, junior competitions, and Olympic integration — structurally analogous governance and commercial model.
• International Tennis Federation (ITF): International federation for tennis operating Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, junior events, and a global calendar. Comparable in managing both team and individual formats across many national federations.
• World Aquatics: International federation for aquatic sports (formerly FINA), running World Championships, World Cup series, and youth events under a multi-discipline umbrella — analogous IF structure to FIVB.
• Badminton World Federation (BWF): International federation for badminton with a strong Asia-Pacific participation base, World Tour circuit, and continental confederations — closely comparable in scale, regional concentration, and youth championship model.
• International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF): International federation for table tennis operating World Championships, World Tour, and youth events. Similar Olympic IF profile with global reach but limited Western-market monetization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FIVBVolleyball
• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=unXa-HBN27I
• Facebookfacebook.com/FIVB.InternationalVolleyballFederation
• Instagraminstagram.com/volleyballworld
• TikToktiktok.com/@volleyballworld

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Volleyball Federation