The Grand Rapids Rise volleyball team made history when it debuted in January 2024 as the city’s first major-league women’s sports team. The team advanced all the way to the inaugural Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) Championship that first season before falling short of the title.

Along the way, the Rise captured the hearts of Grand Rapids and became another jewel in the local sports scene, alongside Grand Rapids Gold basketball, Grand Rapids Griffins hockey and West Michigan Whitecaps baseball.

A Grand Rapids Rise game makes for a memorable date night, a fun family adventure and an inspirational girls’ outing, as well as exciting entertainment for anyone who appreciates high-level athletic competition. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know to join in on the fun.

GR Rise 2025 season

The 2025 season opener for the Grand Rapids Rise attracted a record crowd, reflecting growing fan interest.

Photo by Nicolas Carrillo and Alena Visnovsky, Courtesy of GR Rise

What’s Coming Up – Season Schedule

The Grand Rapids Rise play 14 home games in downtown’s Van Andel Arena from January through early May, against seven other PVF teams. Weekday games start at 7pm and weekend start times vary from noon to 7pm.

Every home game features a special fan promotion along with the game, from beer-and-hot-dog specials to prize giveaways to appearances by kids’ favorite characters. Select Rise players will also sign autographs for 30 minutes after every game. Check the Rise promotional schedule for details.

This combination of great play and fan-friendly promotions continues to spike interest – the 2025 home season opener drew a record crowd.

Team Roster

Head Coach Cathy George, the winningest coach in program history at Michigan State University, came out of retirement to guide the first season of the franchise. She’s back in 2025, along with returning players Symone Abbott and Erika Pritchard (outside hitters), and Marin Grote and Alyssa Jensen (middle blockers).

The 12-woman team also includes a roster of fresh talent for 2025 – among them, Carli Snyder (outside hitter) and August Raskie (setter), who were selected alongside Marin Grote to play in the first-ever PVF All-Star Match in February 2025. The caliber of play continues to impress!

GR Rise 2025 season
GR Rise 2025 season

Whether you’re at the arena or watching from home, there are plenty of options to follow the Grand Rapids Rise throughout the season.

Photo by Nicolas Carrillo and Alena Visnovsky, Courtesy of GR Rise

Get Rise Tickets

Purchase tickets online or at Van Andel Arena to cheer on the Rise in person. Ticket prices start at less than $20, so it’s an affordable outing for families, young adults, seniors and everyone else. Season tickets are also available at the beginning of each season.

If you can’t make it to Van Andel Arena and/or you want to watch Rise road games, select matches air on Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, VBTV, The Roku Channel and the CBS Sports Network. The remaining games are shown on the PVF YouTube channel. Consult the Rise schedule for where to watch or stream each game.

More About Van Andel Arena

The home arena of the Grand Rapids Rise, open since 1996, offers an exciting atmosphere, more than 10,000 seats, and plenty of food and beverage vendors. 

If you prefer not to wait in line for snacks, you can order through DoorDash on your phone. Just open the Door Dash app and click on Van Andel Arena, then browse the arena’s concession stand offerings and select what you want. You’ll get a text when your order is ready for pick up.

Just looking for drinks? Check out The Fastest Beer In Town on the Van Andel Arena DoorDash where you can buy Bud Light, WhiteClaw or water.

Attractions, Hotels & Restaurants Nearby 

Turn your Grand Rapids Rise game into a memorable weekend getaway! There are 300+ restaurants, shops and attractions within a 10-minute walk of Van Andel Arena, so there’s plenty to see and do before and after the game.

Choose from 13 downtown hotels, including three – the Amway Grand Plaza, JW Marriott Grand Rapids and Courtyard by Marriott – that are connected to Van Andel Arena by skywalk. An overnight stay means you won’t have to worry about parking and traffic, and you can enjoy leisurely after-game drinks and meals at a downtown bar, brewery or restaurant.

During your stay, you can also visit the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, Grand Rapids Public Museum, 30+ live-music venues and other attractions – all just steps from your hotel and the arena.

Start planning your trip to Grand Rapids today to cheer on the Rise and so much more!