Men’s NORCECA Final Six volleyball tourney returns to Ponce

The Men’s NORCECA Final Six volleyball tournament returns to Juan “Pachín” Vicéns Auditorium in Ponce starting this Sunday for its sixth edition, which will feature Puerto Rico, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico and the United States.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Men’s NORCECA Final Six volleyball tournament returns to Juan “Pachín” Vicéns Auditorium in Ponce this Sunday for its sixth edition.

The competition, which runs through the following Saturday, will feature Puerto Rico, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico and the United States.

The United States enters the competition as the three-time defending champion. Last year in Ponce at the same venue, Puerto Rico took silver -- after Canada had finished as runner-up in the tournament’s first four editions -- and the Dominican Republic took bronze. Mexico won the inaugural edition in 2021, and Cuba claimed the title in 2022.

The 2026 Men’s NORCECA Final Six is ​​part of the qualification process for the 2027 Men’s Pan American Cup and will award points toward the FIVB World Ranking.

The preliminary round will be played in a round-robin format from Sunday through Thursday. Following the 15 matches of the opening phase, the top four teams will advance to the semifinals on Friday, Aug. 28, with the second-place team facing the third-place team, and the first-place team facing the fourth-place team.

Matches to determine final standings will be played on Saturday, Aug. 29. The teams ranked fifth and sixth will face off at 4 p.m.; the semifinal losers will play for the bronze medal at 6 p.m.; and the winners will compete for the gold medal at 8 p.m.

2026 Men’s NORCECA Final Six Schedule

Sunday, Aug. 23

United States vs. Mexico, 4 p.m.; Guatemala vs. Canada, 

6 p.m.; Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic, 8 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 24

United States vs. Guatemala, 4 p.m.; Mexico vs. Dominican 

Republic, 6 p.m.; Puerto Rico vs. Canada, 8 p.m. 

Tuesday, Aug. 25

Guatemala vs. Dominican Republic, 4 p.m.; United States 

vs. Canada, 6 p.m.; Puerto Rico vs. Mexico, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 26

United States vs. Dominican Republic, 4 p.m.; Canada vs. 

Mexico, 6 p.m.; Puerto Rico vs. Guatemala, 8 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 27

Canada vs. Dominican Republic, 5 p.m.; Guatemala vs. 

Mexico, 7 p.m.; Puerto Rico vs. United States, 9 p.m. 

Friday, Aug. 28 – Semifinals

2nd place vs. 3rd place, 6 p.m.; 1st place vs. 4th place,

8 p.m. 

Saturday, Aug. 29 – Placement and medal matches

5th place vs. 6th place, 4 p.m.; bronze medal match, 

6 p.m.; gold medal match, 8 p.m.