Volleyball World, the commercial arm of the FIVB responsible for driving the sport’s global growth and fan experience, today announces the renewal and expansion of its long- standing partnership with Tokyo Broadcasting System Television (TBS), one of Japan’s leading broadcasters.
Under a new four-year media rights agreement, TBS has been confirmed as the exclusive broadcaster of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) and the FIVB Volleyball World Cup in Japan, across both linear television and digital streaming platforms.
The renewed agreement builds on a successful collaboration between the two organisations, with TBS playing a central role in bringing world-class volleyball to audiences across Japan. Following the introduction of Free-to-Air coverage during the 2024 VNL, the 2025 edition further built on this momentum, delivering strong growth in both audience reach and in-venue attendance. More than 110,000 spectators attended two weeks of VNL competition in Japan in 2025, representing a 38% increase compared to 2023.
Volleyball continues to hold a unique position in Japan’s sporting landscape, with a proud international legacy, consistently competitive national teams and one of the most passionate fanbases in the sport. This momentum has also been reflected in broadcast performance, with expanded terrestrial coverage contributing to significant growth in cumulative live audiences between 2023 and 2025.
The expanded partnership ensures fans across the country will continue to enjoy comprehensive access to two of volleyball’s premier international competitions, as both properties continue to grow.
Felix von Knorring, Head of Media at Volleyball World, said:
“We are delighted to extend our collaboration with a trusted partner in TBS. The success of recent VNL seasons has demonstrated the strong appetite for the sport among Japanese audiences, and this renewed agreement ensures fans will continue to enjoy world-class volleyball across both broadcast and digital platforms. We look forward to building on this momentum together over the coming years.”
Koji Sugahara, President of Sports Division, TBS Television, Inc.
"We are honored and delighted to continue our partnership with Volleyball World. Through our exposure of the VNL and World Championships on our various platforms, we are determined to contribute to the growth of volleyball even further."
