2022 Mizuno JVA Steel City Freeze Returns to Downtown Pittsburgh

Annual Event Expected to Inject Millions into Local Economy

PITTSBURGH – The 2022 Mizuno JVA Steel City Freeze returns to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DLCC) this weekend, Feb. 5-6, bringing with it more than 350 teams and generating an estimated $2.84 million in direct spend for the local economy, according to SportsPITTSBURGH, a division of VisitPITTSBURGH.

Back in Pittsburgh for its sixth year, the youth co-ed volleyball tournament has grown since its last visit to the City of Champions in 2020, with a nearly 20% increase in participation.

“There’s certainly a pent-up demand for youth sports events, as evidenced by the significant growth of Steel City Freeze, and we’re thrilled to welcome the athletes, teams, parents and supporters back to Pittsburgh,” SportsPITTSBURGH Executive Director Jennifer Hawkins said. “Youth sports events create a lot of business for our hotels, restaurants, shops, transportation companies and many others, and the safe return of these events will continue to fuel the rebound for our local tourism and hospitality communities.”

Including Steel City Freeze, SportsPITTSBURGH points to six additional youth and collegiate sports events, planned through June 30, that will drive business into Pittsburgh’s communities, including:

  • Ultimate NCAA Basketball Weekend
    • 2022 NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship | March 17 & 19
      UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse
    • 2022 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds | March 18 & 20
      PPG Paints Arena
    • Combined, nine collegiate basketball games will be played over the four days, featuring 12 teams and nearly 20,000 spectators.
  • 2022 Western PA Bruins Spring Tip-Off | April 15-17 | David L. Lawrence Convention Center
    • This homegrown, girls club basketball tournament, run by Executive Director John Tate, a Pittsburgh native, is expected to welcome 275 teams.
  • 2022 Hoop Group Pittsburgh Jam Fest | April 22-24 | David L. Lawrence Convention Center
    • An annual youth boys basketball tournament, nearly 500 teams are expected to compete in front of NCAA Division I coaches.
  • 2022 East Coast Volleyball Championships | May 28-30 | David L. Lawrence Convention Center
    • Annually held on Memorial Day weekend each year since 2008, this girls youth volleyball tournament is on pace to welcome nearly 500 teams.

Also of note, the 2022 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend returns April 29-May 1.

To learn more about these events or to secure tickets for the Ultimate NCAA Basketball Weekend, please visit SportsPITTSBURGH.com.

As the sports development division of VisitPITTSBURGH, SportsPITTSBURGH’s primary goal is to attract and host a wide variety of sporting events while providing planners and local stakeholders with the expertise and professionalism required to host a world-class event in the Pittsburgh region.