Mizuno Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic returns to DC Feb. 17-19, 2018, welcoming 968 teams, including two from Puerto Rico

(Washington, DC) – The nation’s capital welcomes more than 12,000 female athletes to the Mizuno Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic, Feb. 17-19, 2018. The 12th annual tournament is pure girl power: 968 volleyball teams including two squads from San Juan, Puerto Rico, will play on 122 regulation courts inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

“Hosting thousands of players, coaches, scouts, spectators and sponsors over three-days, the Mizuno Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic achieves citywide convention status during the end of the winter season. The 2018 edition continues to be fruitful for the city, booking upwards of 16,000 hotel rooms,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of Destination DC, the official tourism and marketing office for the nation’s capital. “In the spirit of hospitality, Destination DC is honored to welcome two teams from Puerto Rico to compete in this year’s tournament. These athletes deserve to display their skill and teamwork on the national stage and we’re pleased to welcome them to our nation’s capital.”

In 2018, a network of 122 courts covering 755,000-square feet of space will host 3,687 matches managed by 220 referees.

“Twelve years ago, it would have been hard to imagine that the Mizuno Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic would need every square inch of space that the Walter E. Washington Convention Center has to offer. Thanks to strong partnerships, our event has grown from 18 volleyball courts to this year’s 122 courts,” said Barry Goldberg, tournament director of Mizuno Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic. “Our tournament provides great experiences and opportunities for players, coaches, scouts and fans, who pack DC over Presidents’ Day weekend.”

On Friday, Feb. 16, Destination DC hosts its members for a friendly volleyball tournament that raises funds for the American Experience Foundation, its affiliated 501c3.  

“Our third annual volleyball night allows us to showcase the extraordinary transformation of the convention center,” said Ferguson, “and invite today’s hospitality leaders to invest in the next generation of professionals.”

The tournament kick-starts DC’s 2018 calendar of family-friendly sporting events including DC Rollergirls (Feb. 24); Rock and Roll Marathon (March 10); 2018 Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Championship (March 7-11); Washington Nationals opening day (April 5); Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run (April 8); the third annual DC Bike Ride (May 19); MLB All-Star Week (July 13-17) and the opening of Audi Field, new home to DC United (summer 2018) in addition to the late season NBA and NHL that drive city revenue.

“Beginning in 2007, the Mizuno Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic has steadily grown year-after-year and now occupies all five exhibit halls, plus the ballroom within the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, over Presidents’ Day Weekend. This tournament is a prime example of sporting events in DC acting as economic drivers, that inspire spending across all corners of the city, especially during traditionally slow winter periods for visitation,” said Gregory A. O’Dell, president and chief executive officer of Events DC. “With the District’s long history of diverse sports and entertainment events, this tournament is a treasured asset in Events DC’s portfolio.”

The Mizuno Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday (2/17) and Sunday (2/18) and 8 a.m. on Monday (2/19). Tickets can be purchased at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center or online. Tickets may be pre-purchased online for $35 (weekend admission) or $15 (daily admission). $20 single daily admission passes (credit card only) will be sold at the Convention Center box office.

About Destination DC  
Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. washington.org.

About Events DC

Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that generates over $400 million annually in total economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the Stadium-Armory campus, which includes Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium and surrounding Festival Grounds, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and Maloof Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Events DC also built and now serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. The most recent addition is Gateway DC, an innovative and versatile space featuring a covered and open-air pavilion in the center of a 1-acre park, conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com and find us on social media – Facebook (Events DC), Twitter (@TheEventsDC) and Instagram (@EventsDC).

Contact:                                                                                            
Danielle Davis, Destination DC                                                       
202-789-7046
[email protected] 

Rebecca Doser, Destination DC                                                       
202-789-7079
[email protected]

Ashley Forrester, Events DC
202-439-7109
[email protected]  

Nancy Yasharoff, Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic
202-531-0162
[email protected]

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