The discipline captivates passionate crowds at the Tiger Cup in Nepal, an outdoor spectacle set against the picture-perfect scenery of the Himalayas, breaking beyond its indoor roots and creating a stage where skill, energy and fan engagement come together
Volleyball is regarded as a national sport in Nepal, thriving beyond indoor arenas in open spaces where players compete against the stunning backdrop of the Himalayas. The 5th Tiger Cup is Nepal’s premier national championship, featuring the top men’s and women’s teams across the country gathered to compete from January 25 to February 1 at Pokhara Stadium.
A fierce rally unfolds between Gandaki Province Volleyball Association and Tip Top Help Nepal in the men’s division.
The men’s division includes Tip Top Help Nepal, Gandaki Province Volleyball Association, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police Club, Tribhuwan Army Club and Sunil Kumar Volleyball Club; while the women’s division features Armed Police Force, Tip Top New Diamond, Tribhuwan Army Club, Nepal Police Club, Travel Inquiry United and Tiger Group Pokhara.
Players from the women’s division battle it out in an intense match during the 5th Tiger Cup.
Apart from the competitiveness of these teams, the outdoor setting adds a distinct charm to Nepal’s volleyball culture. The nation’s deep connection to the sport and its unique approach to hosting events highlight volleyball’s potential beyond indoor courts, proving that high-level competition can thrive in outdoor venues.
The outdoor venue of the Pokhara Stadium provides a stunning natural stage for volleyball at the Tiger Cup.
After all, the sport is evolving and no longer confined within four walls. It has found new life under open skies, where natural elements shape the game and passionate crowds bring an energy that cannot be contained. Although playing it indoors has long been the global standard, the success of this outdoor competition proves that the game is just as thrilling, if not more, when played in its purest form.
The Tiger Cup is a great example of how the discipline can break beyond traditional limits, with raw conditions allowing athletes to adapt, react, and refine their skills. Volleyball’s ability to connect people is amplified in an outdoor setting, where the energy between players and spectators is electric, unfiltered by the barriers of a closed arena. During the event, over 25,000 fans packed the venue, the crowd not just watching the matches but becoming part of it.
With ticket sales exceeding 25,000 at approximately €3.50 per ticket, the event has proven that outdoor volleyball can be commercially viable while remaining accessible to fans. Free front-row seating for elderly spectators further reinforced the sport’s cultural importance in Nepal.
With a seven-camera setup and live broadcasts, the tournament has gained international visibility, attracting over 250,000 viewers per match on YouTube, proving that outdoor volleyball is drawing a growing global audience.
Sponsorship and branding have followed, further legitimising this outdoor event as a self-sustaining business model, backed by national and local sponsors rather than government support. The game is reaching new audiences and proving that the discipline’s next frontier is not just within enclosed stadiums but also in open spaces where it can flourish naturally.
Fans fill the stands, bringing energy and passion to the outdoor Tiger Cup tournament.
A vibrant crowd gathers at Pokhara Stadium as the 5th Tiger Cup showcases volleyball under the stunning Himalayan backdrop.
In many parts of the world, from Asia to Africa, young athletes hone their skills outside, where access to indoor facilities is limited. Expanding outdoor competitions like this could unlock an entirely new level of participation, competition, and growth.
Volleyball, after all, has always been a sport of adaptability. The success of competitions like the Tiger Cup is proving that volleyball, at its core, is bigger than the structures built around it. It is the kind of sport that succeeds and excites wherever there is a ball, a net and a desire to play the game. And in Nepal, it has reached its peak. It has evolved, broken free from walls and ceilings, and stepped into the open, where its true potential awaits.
Photo Credit: Tiger Group of Pokhara Nepal. For more event photos, click here.
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