Spike & Dig 2027
Online Registration for the 35th Annual Spike & Dig Volleyball Tournament will open on May 1st, 2027. The cost of the event is $290 for an Adult Team of up to seven players and $260 for a Youth Team of up to seven players. There is a $40 additional player fee for each player after seven. The cost of the event for a Late Entry is $325. There is a $50 cancellation fee and all entries are final on August 4th, 2027.
Schedules for August 7th’s Pool Play will be posted online on August 5th. We will be using a live scoring update system during the weekend, so please ensure you are turning in scoresheets after you have completed your match. Schedules will be updated live online, so please confirm next match start time after each game or with the scoreboard. Packet pickup is Friday, August 6th from 10AM to 6PM at Dwight Merkel Field. Within your packet you will find your team’s schedule for Saturday’s Pool Play as well as your player shirts.
Saturday Pool play and Sunday Brackets
How it works: After every match, the winning team brings the scoresheet to the Official Scoreboard/Registration Desk. The Spike & Dig Staff will then enter the information and within an hour or two, the results of the match will populate the website and app. Once the first scores are posted, the software will automatically start LIVE Seeding for Sunday's Event. The LIVE Seeding will continue to re-populate and adjust throughout the day as more match results are recorded. Because of the LIVE Seeding, Sunday's Brackets and Schedules are not finalized until all of Saturday's matches have been recorded. With some Saturday matches beginning at 6PM, Sunday's Schedules will not be officially posted until 8PM at the earliest. Please make sure you check your Sunday schedules after 8PM on Saturday as your Sunday Schedule may get adjusted prior to 8PM as the last match results are entered.
Spike & Dig 2026 - Updates
*9:30AM 8/4/2026 Update*
For updates on Dwight Merkel, please see the official statement from the Spokane Parks & Recreation Department.
*6:00AM 8/3/2026 Update*
For updates on Dwight Merkel, please see the official statement from the Spokane Parks & Recreation Department.
As for general refunds, we will not be issuing general refunds. We are currently working with the direct victims in our Spike & Dig community of the fires that lost homes to try to assist them as best as possible. If you were a victim and need assistance, please let us know and we will try to assist as best as possible.
*4:00PM 8/2/2026 Update*
We have received no new information, so Dwight Merkel continues to remain officially closed and is currently still in a Level 3 Evacuation Zone.
*12:00PM 8/2/2026 Update*
Dwight Merkel continues to remain officially closed and is currently still in a Level 3 Evacuation Zone. We will continue to provide updates throughout the day.
*6:45AM 8/2/2026 Update*
The Parks continue to remain closed and are currently still in Evacuation Zones.
Many people are curious as to when they may return to the Park…we still are waiting for clearance from EMS. As soon as we have updated information we will post online.
We have received confirmation the fires surrounded the Park, but the playing fields avoided much of the damage, so once it is safe to re-enter the Park you will be able to gather your belongings. However, it is still not safe to enter the Evacuation Zone, so please be patient as we work with local authorities.
Again, our thoughts are with those displaced and we are looking for ways to support those directly affected, especially those in our Spokane Volleyball Community.
*8PM 8/1/2026 Update*
The entire Spike & Dig team is absolutely devastated by the effects of today’s fires on our Spokane Community. We understand that many have been directly and indirectly impacted. You are in our thoughts.
The safety of our players, community, staff, and volunteers is always at the forefront of our decisions. With that in mind, and in solidarity of those directly affected today, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of the 2026 Spike & Dig Volleyball Tournament.
We understand this will bring many questions and we will work to the best of our ability to answer them in due time. For the moment, our time and attention is on ensuring everyone remains safe as these fires continue throughout our community.
*7PM 8/1/2026 Update*
We are still in communication with local authorities and no decision has been made on the status of tomorrow’s tournament. At the current moment our only focus is on the safety of those displaced by the evacuations. We will make a final decision within the next 2-3 hours.
Again, our only concern at this time is the safety of our players and all of the greater Spokane community that has been affected by today’s fires.
Please stay safe.
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We would first like to thank everyone for remaining as calm as possible today with today’s mandatory fire evacuation. Due to the cooperation of everyone at today’s event and the diligent work from the City of Spokane Parks Department, Fire Department, and Police Department everyone was able to safely exit the Park.
We are continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates online as soon as we can about how today’s events will affect tomorrow’s Championship Sunday Tournament. We are remaining hopeful that the weather will improve and we can continue with the Single Elimination Tournament with Consolation as planned.
Until then, our thoughts and prayers are with those who have already been affected by today’s fires.
Free Daytime Parking will be available all weekend for the tournament.
No Overnight Parking or Tent Camping. Dry RV & Trailer Parking Will Not Be Permitted.
Coolers & ice chests will be permitted. Outside alcohol is strictly prohibited.
The softball complex adjacent to the grass soccer field will be off limits during Spike & Dig.
The synthetic (soccer/football) fields will be used for special activities that are planned during Spike & Dig weekend.
No outdoor BBQs or open flames will be permitted anywhere on or around the Merkel Sports Complex, including Joe Albi stadium parking lot.
Pets or any tobacco products will not be permitted.
*All Late Registrations are guaranteed Player T-Shirts. Although, they may not be available until after the tournament.
