CACTUS CLASSIC INVITATIONAL
WE'RE BACK! The Cactus Classic Invitational returns in 2022 and can't wait to see everyone in Tucson over MLK Weekend! The Cactus Classic is a part of the 2022 JVA Challenge Series - uniting some of the top clubs in the Nation! Registration opens October 1, 2021.
The Cactus Classic Invitational is a three-day volleyball tournament held annually in Tucson, Arizona over MLK Weekend. Approximately 165 volleyball teams are scheduled to compete at the at the Tucson Convention Center and Sporting Chance Center. The main objective of the Cactus Classic is to provide a high quality, competitive, and fun event – giving athletes the opportunity to play in a major three-day tournament.
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The tournament was first introduced in 1996 by Club Cactus Juniors as an additional tournament on the MLK Weekend, giving younger Arizona Region teams that were not able to participate in the Fiesta Classic an opportunity to play the same weekend. The format and proximity to Phoenix attracted teams from nearby regions and the Cactus Classic quickly grew to over 100 teams and continues to be a great early season tournament in the Arizona Region.
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In 2009, tournament organizers partnered with Tucson Sports to host the Cactus Classic under one roof at the Tucson Convention Center – becoming Arizona’s only club-run convention center tournament. The venue and low-entry fee (when compared to other convention center events) continue to make the tournament an attractive event for Southwest teams and players that normally do not have the opportunity to play in a convention center. The Cactus Classic also provides a premier pre-season event for the 14-and-under and 12-and-under divisions.
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The Cactus Classic Invitational is proud to be a part of the Junior Volleyball Association (JVA) Challenge Series in 2022, bringing some of the Nation's top clubs to Arizona for the annual event. All teams, regardless of affiliation (JVA, USAV, AAU), will be allowed to participate.
The Cactus Classic is one of the few convention center events in the Southwest - with the look and feel of a Junior National Qualifier and two Championship Courts - making the event a perfect destination for competitive teams as well as clubs that want to kick-start their club season every January!
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PLAYING VENUE​​​
The main competition venue will be the Tucson Convention Center – home of the 2011 USA Volleyball High Performance Championships. Additional courts will be used at the state-of-the-art Sporting Chance Center, and on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona.
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COMPETITION LEVELS​​​
Girls Age Divisions offered: 18U, 17U, 16U, 15U, 14U, 13U, and 12U.
Girls Competition Divisions offered: 18-SELECT, 18/17-CLUB, 17-SELECT, 16-SELECT, 16/15-CLUB, 15-SELECT
If interest, Boys Competition divisions will be offered for 18 Club and 16 Club.
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TOURNAMENT FORMAT
The Cactus Classic uses a festival format. Each division is scheduled to play three days with three competition rounds. The Open Divisions will be two 7-team pools with the top 4 teams advancing to the Championship. The first two rounds will be pool play on Saturday and Sunday, followed by modified double-elimination brackets on Monday.
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All teams will be scheduled to play at least eight matches over the three days. The final format will be based on number of teams participating in each division.
START TIMES | TEAM CHECK-IN
The tournament starts at 8:00 AM on both Saturday and Sunday. Monday’s start time will depend on bracket placement. Every attempt will be made to schedule final matches on Monday to begin no later than 4:00 PM.
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Team Check-In will be from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Friday night. If unable to check-in on Friday night, an additional check-in will be at the tournament desk on Saturday at 7:00 AM as well as at the SCC.
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HOTEL INFORMATION
The Cactus Classic Invitational is not a Stay-to-Play event, meaning teams are permitted to make reservations on their own. However, if you need hotels, please consider making reservations through the Cactus Classic Invitational Hotel Block for excellent rates and a promotions from the Tournament Organizing Committee. The Hotel Block includes properties that are willing to offer special rates and discounts for participating teams.
More information concerning host hotels and room rates will be posted under the Hotel Information page.
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