Fan Fest Zone — Volleyball Nations League 2025, Belgrade

The challenge

The 2025 Volleyball Nations League brought thousands of fans, families, partners and media to Belgrade across two tournaments, from 18 to 29 June. The northern plaza of Belgrade Arena had to become a lively festival space without disrupting the matches, with a tight build-up window and dozens of partner activations to fit into one area.

How we worked

1. Concept and brief. We defined the zone's purpose, promoting sport, healthy living and culture, and turned it into a programme brief with a functional layout and a day-by-day plan for all 10 days.
2. Site plan. We laid out the tent, pagodas, sports court and info desk, together with visitor and vehicle access, evacuation routes and supply flows, agreed with the Arena's services.
3. Partners and programme. We brought together 25+ partners, exhibitors and speakers, assigned each a space, a time slot and an activation format, and built a two-block daily education programme.
4. Team and roles. We set up an operations team with a project manager, zone coordinators, a host, technicians, volunteers and medical cover, each with clear duties and access rights.
5. Build-up and test days. From 15 to 17 June we branded the pagodas and entrance, brought in and installed equipment, and tested sound, lighting and VR stations before opening.
6. Live operations. Every day from 16:00 to 20:30 we ran the programme live, adapted content to whoever was on site, and closed the zone before the evening's second match.
7. Between tournaments. We used the two-day break for cleaning, refreshing content and preparing the men's tournament, with overnight security for equipment.
8. Dismantling and reporting. By 2 July we had removed all structures, restored the site and handed over a report with photo and video material.

What we delivered

• A Fan Fest brief and visual identity aligned with the VNL brand, with 2D/3D zone visuals
• A 20 × 10 m central tent with five areas: workshops and panels, VR/AR zone, Serbian culture corner, chill zone and a media-wall entrance
• An info desk, 10 pagodas for partners and technical areas, and a 12 × 8 m children's sports court
• An education programme: mental health, sports nutrition, athlete careers, injury prevention
• Kids' days, a folk evening, tastings from local producers and DJ sets
• Sustainability measures: less single-use plastic, a water refill point, LED lighting and reuse of materials
• Daily photo and video coverage handed over during the event

Key figures

• 10 programme days across two tournament blocks
• 5 themed zones in the central tent
• 25+ partners, exhibitors and speakers
• 18 days from build-up to final dismantling

Outcome

The zone ran all 10 days to plan and became the pre-match meeting point for families, fans and partners. We delivered the full contracted scope on time, and the model, with themed areas, a daily rhythm and integrated partner activations, is ready for other large sports and business events.