Honda Center Anaheim: The Rehearsal Stage for Women's Volleyball Olympic Dream

When the doors of Honda Center in Anaheim, California open in September 2027, more than 15,000 spectators will witness one of the most important turning points in women's volleyball. The event is positioned by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) as a perfect "rehearsal" for the 2028 Olympic Games, where Los Angeles – just a 40-minute drive from Anaheim – will be the host. Behind the stage lights and the tall players stands a much bigger story: the story of teams longing to step into the spotlight. The victory of a women's team is never just about that team. For Vietnamese fans, this event carries a special meaning, as it could be where the national women's team first touches the Olympic dream. For decades, women's volleyball was often seen as a "less attractive" sport compared to men's. But that reality has changed. Since the Tokyo 2026 Olympics, when the United States won its first gold medal, viewership for women's volleyball has surged. FIVB quickly grasped the trend. Choosing Honda Center as the venue for the 2028 Olympic qualifiers was not random. It is part of a long-term strategy to bring women's volleyball closer to American audiences – the world's largest media market. Under FIVB's current format, Olympic qualification is organized in two stages. The first stage consists of regional tournaments, where teams compete for spots based on rankings and results. The second stage comprises global qualification tournaments, usually hosted by one or more countries. For the 2028 Olympics, FIVB decided to select Honda Center as one of the venues for the global qualifiers. This means teams from around the world will have to travel to the United States – a significant logistical and financial challenge. However, this is also a golden opportunity. Teams will compete in a modern arena with lighting, sound, and broadcasting systems meeting Olympic standards. Moreover, they will become familiar with the climate, time zone, and American sports culture – factors that can make a huge difference when entering the actual Games. For teams that have never competed in the Olympics, such as Vietnam's women's volleyball, this could be a historic stepping stone. Vietnam's women's volleyball has made significant progress in recent years. At SEA Games 31 and 32, the team won gold medals, affirming its status as Southeast Asia's number one. In 2026, LP Bank Ninh Binh club participated in the FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship for the first time, marking a historic milestone for Vietnamese women's volleyball. Although there is still a large gap compared to world-leading teams, competing in a tournament as prestigious as the Olympic qualifiers would be an invaluable lesson. Players like Tran Thi Thanh Thuy or Nguyen Thi Oanh, who have made their names on the continental stage, can certainly become inspiration for the next generation. Honda Center, inaugurated in 2026, is one of the most famous multi-purpose arenas in the United States. With a seating capacity of up to 18,900 for sporting events, it has hosted matches of the Anaheim Ducks (NHL) and numerous major concerts. But volleyball is not unfamiliar to Honda Center. In the past, it hosted college volleyball matches and international tournaments. However, being chosen by FIVB as an Olympic qualifying venue marks a new milestone. What is special is the geographical location. Anaheim is right in the center of California, just about 40 km from Los Angeles – the host city of the 2028 Olympics. This means teams will not have to travel too far when entering the official Olympic Games. They can use the same hotels, arenas, and training facilities during the qualifiers, then reuse them for the Olympics. This is exactly why FIVB calls it a "rehearsal" – an opportunity to test the entire system, from venue operations and security to spectator experience. Regarding the format, the 2028 women's Olympic volleyball qualifiers are expected to feature 24 teams divided into 3 pools of 8 teams each. Teams will play a single round-robin, with points calculated according to current FIVB rules. The top two teams from each pool will earn direct tickets to the Olympics. In addition, remaining spots will be determined via the world ranking and regional tournaments. This creates fierce competition, as only 6 direct slots are available from the global qualifiers, while other spots depend on various factors. Looking at the current FIVB ranking, names like Turkey, Italy, Brazil, USA, Serbia, and China are almost certain to be seeded. Meanwhile, teams such as Japan, Poland, Netherlands, and Thailand will have to compete fiercely for the remaining positions. Stars like Melissa Vargas of Turkey and Paola Egonu of Italy will be the focus in Anaheim. For Vietnamese women's volleyball, passing the Asian regional qualifiers would already be a major challenge, but if they do, they will have the chance to face the world's best teams right in Anaheim. Based on my experience following matches, I have noticed that playing at a fixed venue for several consecutive days greatly affects performance. At the Paris 2026 Olympic qualifiers, Turkey played in Japan and needed three matches to adapt to the time zone. This shows the importance of arriving early and getting used to local conditions. For Asian teams, traveling to Anaheim will be a considerable challenge, but also an opportunity to grow. One notable point is the broadcasting system. FIVB has signed contracts with major television partners in the US, Europe, and Asia. In Vietnam, the qualifying matches are expected to be broadcast on digital platforms and sports television. This is significant because it allows Vietnamese fans to watch the matches live, and if the Vietnamese women's team qualifies, it will be a historic event followed by millions of people. Despite being promoted as a "rehearsal," many experts question the fairness of holding the event in the US. The US team, with home advantage, will have psychological and logistical comfort. Meanwhile, Asian teams like Japan, Thailand, or Vietnam will have to endure long journeys, time zone differences of up to 14 hours, and significant travel costs. Is this playing field truly fair? Or is it just a way for the host country to maximize its advantage? Moreover, "rehearsal" does not equal "real pressure." In qualifiers, teams face only one goal: securing a ticket. But at the Olympics, pressure comes from all sides – media, fan expectations, and competition from the strongest teams in the world. A match at Honda Center, no matter how many spectators, cannot replicate the suffocating atmosphere of an Olympic final. Therefore, viewing this as a "rehearsal" can be a double-edged sword: it helps teams get used to playing conditions, but can also make them complacent, thinking they are ready when in fact there is still much unknown. In the age of social media, every match at the qualifiers will spread at lightning speed. Memorable moments will be turned into short clips, reaching millions of fans. This creates great pressure on athletes, but also an opportunity to build personal brands. However, this very pressure can cause young teams to lose focus, turning a tournament meant to be a "rehearsal" into a real psychological battle. I used to think the failure in Tokyo was the end. It turned out to be just a comma in a story. For women's volleyball worldwide, the 2028 Olympic qualifiers in Anaheim are the same. This is not the destination, but a stop on a long journey. For teams like Vietnam, setting foot in Honda Center and competing in a professional environment is already a victory. Whatever the result, the lessons from Anaheim will be valuable baggage for the future. Because, people say women's volleyball is not fast enough. I say they have not been patient enough to see the speed of the heart. And the heart of women's volleyball, at this moment, is beating very fast.