MLK Kickoff Challenge
January 17-19, 2026
Kickoff your 2026 club season at the 33rd annual MLK Kickoff Challenge Girls Volleyball Tournament!
Started in 1993, this 3-day tournament allows female athletes to not only compete, but connect with one another while bringing both coaches and athletes a top-notch experience combined with strong competition.
For this year’s tournament, 13s – 18s girls will play Saturday through Monday. 12 girls and all boys divisions will play Saturday through Sunday.
With room for over 600 teams, your club will be able to find the right fit for each team – without a doubt!
Divisions
DETAILS FOR CLUB DIRECTORS & COACHES
LOCATIONS
SPOOKY NOOK SPORTS
75 Champ Boulevard, Manheim, PA
LANCASTER CONVENTION CENTER
25 South Queen Street, Lancaster, PA
Schedules:
Schedules will be released closer to the event date on Advanced Event Systems.
Waves:
- Lancaster Convention Center:
- 12 American
- 12 National
- 13 American
- 13 National
- 14 Club
- 14 Open
- Spooky Nook Sports:
- 14 American
- 14 National
- ALL 15s thru 18s Divisions
REfUND POLICY
- Payment is due on the 1st of the month before the event month. (January 1st)
- The refund policy will be the following:
- Teams must withdraw at least 60 days before the event to receive a full refund.
- Teams that withdraw between 30 and 60 days before the event are eligible for a 50% refund.
- Teams that withdraw less than 30 days before the event are not eligible for a refund.
Refunds will be issued after the event, no later than the end of the 2025-26 event season.
For questions about a refund or to withdraw a team, reach out to info@topcourtevents.com.
- Entry fees may be paid online via credit card or ACH.
- Registered teams will receive a confirmation e-mail from AES and Player First. The player’s first e-mail will be received within two hours of registration.
Hotels
MLK Kickoff Challenge is a Stay-to-Play event. Teams are required to book hotels through our housing partner, Team Travel Source (TTS), if they are more than 75 miles from the venue where they are playing.
Team Travel Source for the Northeast Power SeriesDISCOUNT CAR RENTAL PROGRAM
Make sure you save on your rental car with our 3STEP Sports Discount Program for Enterprise and National bookings. As an example, see how you can save over $200 on a rental car.
Spectator Details
TOURNAMENT VENUE - SPOOKY NOOK
LOCATION
SPOOKY NOOK SPORTS
75 Champ Boulevard
Manheim, PA
PARKING
Parking will be $10/day enforced by venue.
- ALL cars must enter the parking lot using Champ Blvd. Parking lot access will not be available if cars come in from Spooky Nook Rd.
We encourage athletes and parents to carpool! Parking is tight at this location.
VENUE RULES
- No outside food allowed within the building.
- Spectator seating provided, however, outside chairs allowed.
- Camping and additional spectating area will be located upstairs.
TOURNAMENT VENUE - LANCASTER CONVENTION CENTER
LOCATION
LANCASTER CONVENTION CENTER
25 South Queen St.
Lancaster, PA
PARKING
Garage parking available for a fee, and street parking is also available in the area (may have fees).
VENUE RULES
- Outside food and drinks are NOT allowed. Coolers are not allowed. There will be concessions on site.
- Camping area will be downstairs, beneath the playing area. There are escalators to the lower floors outside of the playing area to the left.
Spectator Tickets
Purchase spectator tickets here
Make sure to purchase by Friday 1/16, as that’s the last day for discounted, pre-sold tickets! Prices will rise $5 on Saturday.
- ALL spectators will be required to present a QR code that will be scanned upon entry (children under the age of 10 are free).
- Once tickets are scanned, spectators will receive a wristband that must be worn throughout the day/weekend.
- Security will be checking for wristbands upon entry.
- Please send any ticket refund requests to Tickets@topcourtevents.com .
*Tickets that have been scanned onsite are not eligible for refunds.
Spectator Livestream
Details for College Coaches
LOCATIONS
SPOOKY NOOK SPORTS
75 Champ Boulevard, Manheim, PA
LANCASTER CONVENTION CENTER
25 South Queen Street, Lancaster, PA
Deadlines
Registration
1/12/226
Roster
1/16/25
Withdraw w/o Penalty
11/17/25
