Spikin’ in the Street 2026 starts Friday
Thousands expected to attend sand volleyball tournament
Trending
NEW ULM - As of Friday morning, Minnesota Street from 2nd North to Center Street will be impassible to traffic thanks to 1,300 tons of sand.
This is all part of the preparation work for the fourth annual Spikin' in the Street sand volleyball tournament. The volleyball tournament officially begins 6 p.m. today, but the creation of eight sand volleyball courts on Minnesota Street will begin in the early morning. The 70 dump trucks start unloading sand at 7 a.m.
New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce President Sarah Warmka said this year's tournament is expected to have a higher turnout than last year.
Team registration filled up a month faster than in 2025 even though the number of teams was increased from from 88 to 92 in four separate divisions. With six players on team, there will be at least 552 people participating in the tournament.
"That doesn't even count the number of spectators," Warmka said.
Based on last year's data there were 9,600 people attending Spikin' Street in 2025.
While many of the teams participating are New Ulm based, some teams are coming from across the state and even out of state. A Nebraska and South Dakota team are confirmed to be playing in the tournament.
The tournament itself will be organized slightly differently this year, with some of the volleyball games played on Friday night instead every game being played Saturday.
Warmka said the Division C will start pool play at 6 p.m. today. This was to give players breaks in between games. In previous years to fit all the games in on Saturday, play had to begin at 6:30 a.m. and continue past 11 p.m.
"That's a long day," Warmka said.
This year Saturday play will start at 7 a.m. and should conclude by 10:30 p.m.
Another change this year, the tournament will be using Brakto, an online bracket organizer. This will allow anyone attending the tournament to check the tournament standings and game times on their phone. Special QR codes will be placed around the tournament area that will bring up the Brakto page.
Downtown New Ulm will once again hold a pre-party in the sand at 5 p.m. today with several downtown businesses participating. The evening will feature music, food vendors, and the return of the Rolling Thunder Wrestling Club’s Downtown Throwdown, beginning at 6 p.m.
The Throwdown wrestling tournament was held before last year's Spikin' on the Street tournament and proved extremely popular and was expanded this year.
Spectators for the Spkin' in the Street tournament are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Many of the downtown bars and restaurants have extended their liquor license into the street for this event. This means, beverages may be taken outside of businesses, but must remain inside the festival area.
Spikin’ in the Street is privately funded by local business sponsors and organized by volunteers and the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce. Funds raised support the promotion of New Ulm and the ongoing efforts of the New Ulm Business & Retail Association.
For tournament information or volunteer opportunities, visit newulm.com or contact the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce at 507-233-4300 or chamber@newulm.com.