Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic presented by Adidas returns to DC Feb. 15-17

(Washington, DC) – The nation’s capital welcomes more than 11,500 female athletes, spectators and staff to the Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic presented by Adidas, Feb. 15-17, 2020. The 14th annual tournament celebrates female athletes: 968 volleyball teams will play on 122 regulation courts inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

“The Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic presented by Adidas, continues to bring excitement each year during an exciting winter season of family-friendly sporting events,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital. “The city is bustling with new developments since last year’s tournament and we are excited to welcome thousands of athletes and their families to discover the real DC during the tournament.”

In 2020, a network of 122 courts covering 755,000-square feet of space will host 3,687 matches managed by 225 referees.

“We are overjoyed to once again host one of the largest girls' volleyball tournament in the country,” said Barry Goldberg, Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic tournament director. “The city will be filled with families cheering on their daughters as they push themselves to improve and grow as athletes and teammates over the course of the weekend.”

On Friday, Feb. 14, DDC hosts its members for the fifth annual volleyball tournament that raises funds for the American Experience Foundation (AEF), its affiliated 501 (c) 3. AEF enriches the lives of low-income students through inspirational travel experiences and educational opportunities to cultivate the next generation of hospitality industry professionals. In 2019, the foundation awarded $21,000 in scholarships to nine students. Awards included the inaugural David Iselin Scholarship for Community Service, which celebrates the life of DDC colleague David Iselin, who unexpectedly passed away in March 2018. Other awards included the Gregory McCarthy Scholarship Award, recognizing exemplary leadership qualities, academy scholarships and academy alumni awards to provide ongoing support to deserving DC Academy of Hospitality and Tourism graduates.

“The member volleyball tournament is a great way for the hospitality industry to unite in support of AEF and invest in our community’s youth,” said Ferguson.

The tournament kick-starts DC’s 2020 calendar of family-friendly sporting events including the season opener for the DC’s XFL team, the DC Defenders (Feb. 8); the season opener for DC’s inaugural Major League Rugby team, Old Glory DC (Feb. 16); Colonial Athletic Association Men’s Basketball Championship (Mar. 7-10); Rock and Roll Marathon (March 28); Washington Nationals opening day (April 2); Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run & 5K Run-Walk (April 5); Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Challenge (April 17-19) and the fifth annual DC Bike Ride (May 16).

“DC has evolved into a premier sports destination, with the Washington Nationals as the 2019 MLB World Series Champions and the Washington Mystics as the 2019 WNBA champions, to the commitment of athletic organizations like the Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic, that remain dedicated to supporting amateur sports and talented youth athletes,” said Gregory A. O’Dell, president and CEO of Events DC. “The Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic has become an integral part of the District’s sports community and an important part of our city’s growing economy. We are proud to have had the opportunity to see this tournament grow over the years, by filling each corner of the convention center’s halls to outside of our building into our diverse neighborhoods.” 

The tournament begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15 and Sunday, Feb. 16, and 8 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 17. Tickets may be pre-purchased online from Feb. 8-17 for $38 (full three-day access) or $18 (daily admission). Onsite tickets will be sold in the Grand Lobby entrance of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for $40 (full three-day access) or $20 (daily admission) via credit card only. Children age 9 and under are free with an adult present at the ticket station.

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 hosts more than 1.7 million visitors and generates more than $400 million annually in total economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus), including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Stay current on the 190-acre RFK Campus Redevelopment Project at www.RFKCampus.com. Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and the Entertainment and Sports Arena (www.ESAontheRise.com), all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. eventsdc.com

External Contacts:                                                                                           

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

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

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