+ What is the policy on outside food at the different venues?

There is to be no outside food and drink brought into any facility throughout the tournament. Coolers and outside food and drink should be left outside the buildings. Team "buffets" will have to be set up outside the buildings, in parking lots, etc. Players and coaches are allowed to bring water bottles and we simply ask that you help clean-up after yourselves along the way. The Berglund Center and Performance Sportsplex are both requiring a Clear Bag Policy and bag checks and/or wanding upon entry but will try to be quick.

+ Are personal chairs permitted/needed?

You are allowed to bring your own chairs into most venues, however they will not always be needed as most sites will have bleachers and/or other seating available. Chairs will likely be permitted anywhere without adequate spectator seating.

+ Are there directions to the sites?

The AES website as well as the Shamrock Festival website will include addresses for each individual site. All sites are within 10-15 minutes of each other and there is sufficient time to travel to and from the different sites between waves.

+ How many teams are you expecting at the Shamrock Festival?

In 2026, we will host 153 teams from 6 different states and 6 different USAV regions across the various divisions. Team lists are available on AES.

+ What is the tournament format?

The 12's & 13's Divisions will play primarily in 4-team pools with single elimination playoffs on Sunday after the conclusion of pool play. The 14-18's Divisions will primarily play in two separate 3-team pools on Saturday with playoffs on Sunday. Teams will play their two 3-team pools on Saturday from either "8-11am AND 2-5pm" OR "11am-2pm AND 5-8pm". Please note that divisions with an uneven number of teams may require us to tweak the schedule of a pool or two so thanks in advance for your understanding as we make every effort to maximize the number of matches all teams play during Shamrock weekend.. For the 14-18's Divisions, first round playoff losers will generally play consolation matches wherever possible so as many teams as possible get at least 2 matches on Sunday. The full schedule should be posted to AES by Wednesday evening of tournament week.

+ What can you tell me about the different playing sites?

There will be numerous playing sites and all of them are within 10-15 minutes of each other so there is no need to make specific hotel arrangements related to where your team will begin play. Initial pool play assignments and locations will be posted on AES the week of the tournament. Detailed pool play assignments and results for the entire tournament will be posted on AES throughout the weekend and will be updated in real-time as results become available. We have secured the following sites for 2026: the 13-court Berglund Center for our tournament headquarters; the 4-court Patrick Henry HS & the 3-court William Fleming HS; the 5-court Performance Sportsplex (formerly known as Spectrum Sports Academy; and the 3-court Summit Sportsplex (formerly known as Countryside Sportsplex).

+ What goes on Friday Night at the Berglund Center?

On Friday night at the Berglund Center, we will be selling tournament t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, hoodies, and other apparel. This is the BEST time to purchase tournament apparel as some colors and sizes sell out quickly! We will also be hosting a Recruiting Showcases for 8-12 grade girls (see Showcase tab above) and a Kids' Instructional Clinic for 5-13 year old boys and girls (See Kids Clinic tab above). A complete Friday night schedule is also posted on a separate tab as well.

+ Will there be a Coaches’ Meeting on Friday night?

No. Based on feedback from coaches in years past and on our own experiences at other tournaments, there will not be a Coaches’ Meeting on Friday night. All important information will be provided prior to the tournament and/or posted online. There are no required forms to be handed in during Shamrock once your team has been accepted and your Shamrock roster is updated in AES.

+ Are you having a Recruiting Showcase again this year?

Yes! We are holding a Recruiting Showcase on Friday night at the Berglund Center again this year for any players (grades 8-12) interested in showing their individual skills to the college coaches in attendance and/or just wanting to get some Showcase experience for the future. Details on the Recruiting Showcase are posted on the Showcase Page. The Showcase format will include lots of game-like drills and some controlled play as our goal is to let the athletes get Showcase experience and show their skills to the college coaches in attendence.

+ Will tournament shirts be sold at every site during the tournament?

Tournament apparel will be sold at most but not all sites throughout the weekend but many individual playing sites will have limited sizes, colors, etc. Tournament apparel will be sold at the Berglund Center at all times Saturday and Sunday while supplies last. Availability at other locations will depend largely on availability after Friday night. In order to make sure you get the t-shirt or sweatshirt color, size, and style you want, we strongly encourage everyone to come on Friday night if possible.

+ What is the cost for spectator admission?

Admission will be handled electronically again this year with advance online purchase required. Details can be found on the HOME page the week of the tournament. No admission will be sold on site so you must puchase online. There is no admission fee for the Friday night activities at the Berglund Center (Recruiting Showcase, Kids' Clinic, and tournament apparel shopping).

+ Will officials be provided for all matches?

Paid R1’s (up refs) will be provided for all matches. The work team must provide a certified R2 (down ref), scorekeeper, libero tracker, and 2 line judges for all matches. In the Finals for all Gold and Silver playoff divisions, we will try to provide paid officials as both up and down refs, pending availability.

+ Will concessions be sold at every site?

Concessions will be sold at most sites this year. Each individual site runs its own concessions and the Shamrock Festival has no control over what is offerred and/or what the prices are. There are no outside food and drinks allowed in any facilities so please plan accordingly. Please abide by all posted signs regarding food and drink or we run the risk of losing the privilege to utilize certain playing sites in the future.

+ Will trainers be provided at all locations?

Athletic trainers will be available for the majority of the tournament at the 13-court Berglund Center. You may be asked to provide your own supplies or pay a nominal fee for supplies when getting ankles taped, etc. At other locations and/or in the event of more serious injuries that require additional medical attention, please go to the nearest emergency room.

+ What happens in the event of inclement weather or other outside forces?

The Shamrock Festival will make every effort to continue regardless of inclement weather or other outside forces like pandemics. In the unlikely event that the entire tournament is canceled due to bad weather or something else out of the tournament's control, refunds will be issued to all accepted teams net of all non-refundable tournament expenses (deposits/fees for sites, equipment, etc.). Teams unable to attend due to local weather/issues will not be given any refund if the tournament occurs.

+ What hotel should we stay in?

Hotels are being handled through our housing partner Traveling Teams again this year. Click on the Housing link for additional details. All non-local teams (45+ miles away from Roanoke) must secure their hotel block through Traveling Teams before they will be accepted. All available hotels are generally in close proximity to the playing venues and you generally have 2-3 hours between waves on Saturday so travel to the sites is not an issue. Please have coaches and/or parents staying alone block King rooms to save double rooms and rooms with pullouts for the teams.

+ What time will play end on Sunday?

Should you make it to the final match of the day, you will be scheduled to start that match no later than 3:30pm. However, as with any tournament, we may be slightly ahead or slightly behind schedule. In an effort to keep things on schedule throughout the tournament again this year, we will continue to start all 25-point games at a score of 4-4. All 15-point games will start at 0-0.

+ What is there to do in Roanoke?

Valley View Mall is the largest mall in the Roanoke Valley. There are numerous restaurants on the property and stores in the mall include Old Navy, Hollister, Abercrombie, Gap, etc. Out-parcels include Target, Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Etc. In addition, “The Market” is located in downtown Roanoke. This is a unique “touristy” attraction where lots of jewelry, craft, and food vendors from local producers set-up on the weekends. In addition, the Roanoke Star is located on top of Mill Mountain off the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is the world's largest freestanding illuminated man-made star. It is located about 5 minutes from downtown Roanoke and from the Roanoke Star, you can enjoy the scenic view of the entire Roanoke Valley. For more information about Roanoke, click HERE.