The FIVB has introduced several innovations in sports presentation and revolutionised the sport with the introduction of the Video Challenge System, the new World Ranking and the 2025-2028 calendar
During his 12-year tenure as the FIVB President, Dr Ary S. Graça F° embraced the motto “Innovation and Opportunity”, which has undoubtedly ushered in a new era for volleyball.
Under his leadership, the FIVB has introduced a number of cutting-edge advancements in sports presentation and revolutionised the sport with the introduction of the Video Challenge System, the new World Ranking and the 2025-2028 calendar. These innovations have transformed both volleyball and beach volleyball, enhancing the experience for athletes, officials, spectators and fans around the world.
Beach volleyball at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 was an incredible party
A Whole New Experience Through Sports Presentation
In 2014, a new sports presentation approach was unveiled at the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships in Poland. With over 62,000 fans filling the stadium in Warsaw for the opening match, it marked a new era for volleyball, with cutting-edge audiovisual experiences and fan engagement to complement the electric action on the court. Since then, sports presentation has remained a key focus of FIVB competitions, with each event bringing a more immersive and exciting atmosphere.
99.9% of available beach volleyball tickets sold at the Olympic Games Rio 2016
Now, every FIVB event features dynamic elements such as DJs, announcers, engaging light displays, giant video screens and powerful sound systems. The FIVB set itself apart at the Olympic Games Rio 2016, becoming the only International Federation to invest its own resources in sports presentation at the event.
The result? A near sell-out for volleyball and beach volleyball, with 99.9% of available tickets sold. The electric atmosphere, inspired by Brazil’s carnival spirit, captivated fans worldwide, and volleyball and beach volleyball combined were the most-watched sport of the Games in terms of viewer hours, according to the official IOC Data Report.
The FIVB revolutionised the fan experience at its competitions during the Olympic Games Rio 2016
This commitment to engaging fans continues to grow, with sports presentation having remained a central focus for all major competitions, including the most recent Olympic Games Paris 2024. The 450,000 fans who filled the stands at the foot of the Eiffel Tower joined an incredible party, which featured a DJ, a daily light show, and much more! Through this transformation, President Graça and FIVB have ensured that volleyball isn’t just a sport to watch – it is an experience to be part of.
The beach volleyball venue lights up during the Olympic Games Paris 2024
Enhancing Fair Play with the Video Challenge System
The new Video Challenge System is designed to promote fair play and ensure accuracy
Another major innovation under President Graça’s leadership was the introduction of the Video Challenge System, which debuted at the Olympic Games Rio 2016. The system was designed to promote fair play and ensure accuracy by allowing players, coaches and referees to challenge decisions and request instant video reviews of critical plays. This innovative technology has been instrumental in reducing human error and enhancing the fairness of competition.
The video challenge system is used extensively during major competitions, delivering fairer outcomes and ensuring the integrity of the sport
During the first Rio 2016 volleyball event, teams requested 399 challenges, with 159 of those challenges resulting in overturned decisions – an impressive 40% success rate. For beach volleyball, the success rate was 30%, with 52 correct challenges out of 171 requests. Since then, the Video Challenge System has become a fixture at all official FIVB events, delivering fairer outcomes and ensuring the integrity of competitions. Additionally, it has elevated the fan experience, giving spectators a closer, real-time look at the action and greater suspense as they await the results of each review.
Most recently, the FIVB’s commercial arm, Volleyball World, partnered with Bolt6, a leading provider of high-performance video solutions, to enhance the Video Challenge System further. With the assistance of Bolt6’s advanced video solutions, referees now have access to enhanced real-time decision-making, ensuring improved accuracy in judging athletes’ actions. This innovation aims to improve technical efficiency, ensure integrity of the referees’ calls, and optimise match duration. This partnership with Bolt6 has been present at the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) and the Olympic Games Paris 2024, and will extend to even more major flagship events in the coming years.
Additionally, two of the most significant innovations during President Graça’s presidency have been the reform of the FIVB World Ranking System and the introduction of a restructured Volleyball Calendar for 2025-2028. In June 2020, the new World Ranking System system introduced a transparent, merit-based model, designed to accurately reflect the scores and performances of national teams. Moreover, the 2025-2028 calendar was launched with a ‘less is more’ approach, prioritising the health and wellbeing of athletes by reducing the overall number of competitions and simplifying event formats. You can read more about these transformations here:
a-transformational-era-for-global-volleyball-under-president-gracas-leadership
All of these innovations have revolutionised volleyball and beach volleyball, continuing to ensure greater fairness and accuracy for players. Not only that, but they have also demonstrated new and exciting ways that sports can be presented to global audiences.
The legacy of President Graça’s leadership will continue to inspire, as the FIVB ensures that volleyball remains at the forefront of innovation in the sporting landscape.
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