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!
1/17/25 MLK KICKOFF COLLEGE SHOWCASE
See detailsDETAILS FOR CLUB DIRECTORS & COACHES
LOCATIONS
SPOOKY NOOK SPORTS
75 Champ Boulevard, Manheim, PA
LANCASTER CONVENTION CENTER
25 South Queen Street, Lancaster, PA
YORK EXPO CENTER
334 Carlisle Avenue, York, PA
AM Wave:
-
Spooky Nook
- 18 Open
- 17 Open
- 16 Open
- 16 National
- 15 Open
- 14 National
-
Lancaster Convention Center
- 14 Premier
- 13 Open
- 13 American
- 12 Girls
-
York Expo
- 17 American
- 16 American
- 15/16 Boys
- 15 Club
- 14 Club
PM Wave:
-
Spooky Nook
- 18 National
- 18 American
- 17 Premier
- 17 National
- 16 Premier
- 15 Premier
- 14 Open
- 14 American
-
Lancaster Convention Center
- 13 National
- 13 American
- 12 Girls
-
York Expo
- 17 Club
- 17/18 Boys
- 16 Club
- 15 National
- 15 American
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.
Payment due no later than Monday, January 1st, 2026.
Entry Fees can be paid for by mailing a check OR paying through an invoice from PlayerFirst (EMAIL)
Checks made payable to 3STEP Sports, LLC and sent to:
3STEP Sports, LLC
P.O. Box 160
Louisville, TN. 37777
NOTE: Payment does not guarantee acceptance. Teams are accepted based on the order of payment received and room in the event. If the division is full by the payment deadline, the team(s) will be waitlisted until a space opens. If a space does not open, the waitlisted team(s) will be refunded.
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 over 75 miles from the venue they are playing at.
Hotel booking links will be live at 12:00 PM (EST) on September 18th.
DISCOUNT 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 Fort Lauderdale rental car over MLK weekend.
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.
TOURNAMENT VENUE - YORK EXPO CENTER
LOCATION
YORK EXPO CENTER
334 Carlisle Avenue
York, PA 17404
PARKING
Free parking!
VENUE RULES
- If you’re playing at:
- Memorial Hall: it is easiest to enter through Gate 4 off Market Street
- UPMC Arena: it is easiest to enter through Gate 6 off North Highland Avenue
- No outside food or coolers as there are concessions available on site.
- There is no room for team camping, please keep belonging tight to your group when your team is not playing.
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
MLK Kickoff Showcase
We’re running a showcase the Friday night before the tournament for unsigned athletes in the graduating classes 2026 – 2029.
Coach RSVP form for the showcaseLOCATIONS
SPOOKY NOOK SPORTS
75 Champ Boulevard, Manheim, PA
LANCASTER CONVENTION CENTER
25 South Queen Street, Lancaster, PA
YORK EXPO CENTER
334 Carlisle Avenue, York, PA
Deadlines
Registration
1/12/226
Roster
1/16/25
Withdraw w/o Penalty
11/17/25
