2026 Heartland Regionals:

Essential Information

Welcome to the 2026 Heartland Regionals! Here’s everything you need to know for a smooth and successful tournament experience.

NEW INFO-  Thursday, October 1st

Libero Tracking: We have attached a tutorial for Libero tracking so you may prepare a parent or spectator for your team.
You may request that your opponent team do so at game time, but the obligation stays with your team.

 

NEW INFO-  Tuesday, September 29th

👉 CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE OFFICIAL BRACKETS

(📱 Pro-Tip: For the best mobile experience, open the bracket links using the Google Sheets App and rotate your device horizontally!)

🗺️ How Pool Advancements & Saturday Brackets Work (Step-by-Step Guide)

To help every team, coach, and family track their path from Friday pool play into Saturday’s tournament play, here is a simple guide on how to read your age group’s bracket sheet:

Step 1: Check Your Pool Results Box on Friday

Underneath your Friday pool grid, locate the Pool Results & Advancement box.

  • Depending on where your team finishes in your pool (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th), this box tells you exactly which bracket and slot you advance to.
  • Example (G18u Pool C): 1st Place advances to Gold Bracket – Slot 3; 3rd Place advances to Silver Bracket – Slot 3.

Step 2: Find Your Numbered Slot on the Bracket Tab

Click over to your assigned bracket tab (Gold Bracket or Silver Bracket).

  • Look at the numbered tabs on the far left of the bracket matches. If your pool advancement says “Gold Bracket-3”, place your team into Slot #3 on the Gold Bracket to see your match time and court number!

Step 3: EVERY SINGLE PLACE IS PLAYED OUT — DO NOT LEAVE EARLY!

Every team in our tournament is guaranteed multiple matches on Saturday, and all final placements (1st through last) are fully played out on the court!

  • Gold Bracket Teams: Quarterfinal losers move directly into 5th-place or 7th-place consolation matches. Semifinal losers compete for 3rd Place.
  • Silver Bracket Teams: Quarterfinal losers move into the Consolation Pool. Semifinal losers compete in a 3rd-place playoff.
  • Consolation Pools: Teams in consolation pools play a full round-robin schedule on Saturday afternoon/evening.

Please verify your next scheduled match with Tournament Central before leaving the venue on Saturday. No team is eliminated after a single bracket loss!

 

NEW INFO-  Monday, September 28th

🚨 OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT BRACKETS ARE NOW LIVE! 🚨

The wait is over! Official tournament brackets, pool pairings, and court schedules for the 2026 NCHVC Heartland Regional Championships (October 2nd & 3rd at New Century Fieldhouse) are officially published and live!

📊 VIEW YOUR BRACKETS & POOLS NOW 👉 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE HEARTLAND INFO SHEET & BRACKETS

NEW INFO-  Saturday, September 26th

🚨 UPDATE: PRELIMINARY SEEDING NOW LIVE!

The 2026 Heartland Regionals Preliminary Seeding document is officially released and available for review!

  • 📊 [CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRELIMINARY SEEDING]
  • 🏐 Pool Pairings & Court Schedule: Our committee is finalizing match assignments. Detailed pool pairings and court allocations will be added directly to this page within the next 36 hours.
  • 📩 Questions or Corrections? Program Directors and Head Coaches, please review your team’s division placement immediately. If you identify any errors or have urgent questions, please contact staff directly at NCHCStaff@NCHCLive.com.

NEW INFO-  Friday, September 25th

  • ⏰ EARLIEST START TIMES ARE HERE! ⏰

    Planning for the 2026 NCHVC Heartland Regional Championships? Here are the opening-day earliest start times for Friday, October 2nd at New Century Fieldhouse (New Century, KS):

    🏐 GIRLS DIVISIONS

    • G16U: 10:00 AM

    • GJV: 10:00 AM

    • G12U: 12:00 PM (Noon)

    • G14U: 1:00 PM

    • G18U: 4:00 PM

    🏐 BOYS DIVISIONS

    • B16U: 10:00 AM

    • B18U: 11:00 AM

    🔥 SCHEDULE & SEEDING UPDATE

    Thanks to late team additions in G14U, our complete Preliminary Master Schedule and Seeding Document are getting a quick revamp! The updated preliminary brackets and schedule will be posted to the Info Sheet over the next 24 hours, and Program Directors & Head Coaches will receive a detailed email update tomorrow.

RETURNING FOR 2026 HEARTLAND REGIONALS

  • Athletic Trainer: We have secured a full-time Athletic Trainer for the entirety of the Heartland Regionals. Please note the location of their main station in case of emergency.
  • R2 Referees: There will be R2’s provided for every bracket game! (This is a significant change—please read the full Team Refereeing Responsibilities section below.)

Good to Know

📢 LATEST UPDATE: 2026 HEARTLAND REGIONALS ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

BRACKETS & Tickets-

  • Earliest Start Times By Age Group: Now LIVE- CLICK HERE
  • Brackets & Pools:  COMING SOON (will be posted no later than Tuesday, September 29th.
  • Bracket Page Tip: Brackets show up best if viewed on the Google Sheets App.
  • Tickets/Gate: LINK to purchase via Ticket Tailor. Early Bird pricing expires Sunday night before the event.

KEY ADMINISTRATIVE LINKS

  •  Regionals Seeding Form (DUE NOW): Head coaches competing in Regionals must complete the [Regional Seeding Form Link] immediately so bracket planning and seeding can be finalized.
  • Final Call: Section 4.4(c) Emergency Vote: The emergency ratification vote for the Section 4.4(c) “2-Day UMS Safety Valve” amendment closes this Friday, September 25th. Directors, please cast your ballot here:[EGC Governance Vote Link].
  • JV Dual-Rostering Rule Reminder (Section 3.5(a): While cross-age dual-rostering is generally permitted within an organization, JV players (Girls Volleyball Nationals) are strictly prohibited from dual-rostering at NCHC events. Please audit your rosters immediately.
  • Coaches & Bench Staff Registration (MANDATORY): ALL bench personnel—including head coaches, assistant coaches, team managers, and stat keepers—must complete online registration to receive official bench passes and credentials: Coaches Registration Link: [CLICK HERE]
  • Team USA Nationals (Limited Openings): Click Here

Heartland Regionals: Key Event Details

Welcome to the 2026 Heartland Regionals! Here’s everything you need to know for a smooth and successful tournament experience.

Basic Information

  • When: October 2nd & 3rd, 2026
  • Where: New Century Fieldhouse, 551 New Century Parkway, New Century, KS 66031
  • Website: NCHCLive.com – Heartland Page
  • New for 2026: A record 64 teams will be competing! The full team list is available here.

Helpful Facility & Staff Changes

New Change Detail
Athletic Trainer A full-time Athletic Trainer is secured for the entire event. Please note the location of their main station in case of emergency.
R2 Referees There will be R2’s provided for every bracket game! (See Team Refereeing Responsibilities below for full details.)
Facility Rules Please review the New Century Fieldhouse Facility Rules at www.jcprd.com/2092/NCF-General-Rules.

Gate & Tickets- CLICK HERE

This year’s event is 100% digital for gate fees, using our Ticket Tailor app. CLICK HERE

  • Registered Players: Do not need an entry ticket.
  • Coaches: Each team receives two complimentary Coach Passes for gate admission. These passes must be picked up at the designated coach check-in area. All other coaches, table helpers, etc., must purchase a pass to enter. (Example: An organization with four teams receives eight total passes.)
  • Fans & Spectators: Tickets are sold exclusively through Ticket Tailor. Please have your digital tickets ready on your phone to be scanned. For tournament passes, you will receive a wristband valid for the entire weekend—keep it accessible. Search Ticket Tailor for your confirmation email if you can’t find your ticket. CLICK HERE

Tournament & Gameplay Information

Brackets & Schedule

  • Brackets: Brackets were released on or before Tuesday, September 29th. Find them on the official Bracket Page.
  • Rolling Schedule: All matches (pool and bracket play) will follow a rolling schedule. Matches will begin immediately upon the conclusion of the prior match on that court.
  • Check Updates: Check your opening pool assignments and brackets every evening and morning. Changes are always possible.

Scoring & Reporting

New for Regionals: Scores must be texted in immediately after each game.

  • TEXT SCORES to: 1 (417) 203-7447 (This is an online text number and cannot receive calls). Both teams should text in their scores.
  • Format:
    • Line 1: Gender w/ Age group, DIVISION, and BRACKET or POOL Title (e.g., Girls 16u Silver Consolation)
    • Line 2: Team name w/ score vs Team name w/ score (e.g., San Juan Rams 25,25 vs HECHA 22,19)
    • The division and bracket or pool title is KEY to finding your game quickly.

Match & Team Responsibilities

Merchandise

  • T-Shirt Sales: Fine Designs will have t-shirts set up all day Friday and Saturday at Regionals.

Registration & Policies

Player & Coach Registration

  • Urgent: All players and coaches must be registered before the event.
  • Player Registration: Click Here
  • Coach Registration: Click Here
  • Each leader and coach has access to this list, so ask them if you are registered!

Important Policies

  • Age Guidelines: The NCHVC is Age Pure. All age groups are based on the player’s age on August 1st of this year.
  • Dual Rostering: For our Dual Roster Policies, go to the appropriate section at https://www.nchclive.com/guidelines/.
  • Team USA: Team USA cannot eliminate a team from D1, or Gold, Silver, or Bronze Ball contention. In pools, Team USA will advance as the last-place finisher. Their results against other teams will affect pool results.

Social Media & Contacts

Social Media

Need Help?

  • On-Site Directors: Caleb Allen and Zack Stargell
  • Emergencies (During Event): Contact nchcstaff@nchclive.com
  • Pre-Event Needs: Contact nchcstaff@nchclive.com
  • Event Feedback Form: CLICK HERE
  • Emergency Ref Complaint Form (HC & AD only): Click HERE
  • Eligibility Verification: CLICK HERE

Daily Bible Verses

Coaches are encouraged to share these verses with their teams.

  • Friday: 2nd Timothy 2:5 – “Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.”
  • Saturday: Hebrews 12:11 – “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

July 29th Update- Eligibility- 

Lamar Sports Events Transition back to NCHC

Following the recent vote, here is how Lamar Sports Events’ returning to the NCHC will be handled in terms of Eligibility:

  • Heartland Volleyball Regionals: For the next two years, eligibility guidelines will remain similar to what you’re accustomed to. Athletic directors from each sport will vote in 2027 to determine the guidelines for 2028 events. Players who do not fully meet NCHC guidelines will be required to request hardship forms and go through that process.
  • Cross Country and Track & Field Nationals: These events will operate under NCHC guidelines for the next two years, starting after Lamar hosts the 2025 events. Athletic directors will vote in 2028 to determine the guidelines for 2029 events. Players who do not fully meet NCHC guidelines will be required to request hardship forms and go through that process.

During this transition, the primary focus will be to streamline registration and ensure a smooth experience for homeschool student-athletes, teams, families, and organizations. Larry will serve as the on-site Director for the 2025 Heartland Volleyball Regional & Cross Country Nationals, marking his and Marcie’s final event in their roles.

Lamar Sports Events moving back to NCHC. Please Note-
Public School Student/School Participation

  • Approval for public school students or actual schools wishing to compete at former Lamar Sports Events is not guaranteed. These situations will require a vote and approval from participating teams and leaders, aligning with the NCHC philosophy that those competing against such teams should approve their participation.