Women's college volleyball isn't just growing domestically; it's breaking international boundaries.

On Monday, GS Global Sports, a sports event production company, announced a first-of-its-kind women's volleyball event. The showcase, called the Paradise Invitational, features four teams ― Kentucky, Purdue, SMU and Houston ― who will compete at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in the Bahamas on Sept. 11-13, 2026.

"If not now, then when, right?" GS Global Sports CEO Glenn Smith told USA TODAY about the event.

"When I look at it, they have events on the men's and women's basketball side that are similar to this ― multi-team events ― but there wasn't anything that I knew of like this in women's volleyball, better yet, at a destination like this. I think that with the growing popularity and the more eyes that are starting to get on volleyball that this was an ideal opportunity and the perfect time to launch this event."

Smith says the Paradise Invitational has been "two to three years" in the making, and he became inspired to create it as he's witnessed the growth of women's volleyball. According to Smith, what started as an idea quickly blossomed into something larger, with some "luck" and timing.

He reached out to SMU women's volleyball head coach Sam Erger, who spoke with other coaches, who quickly became interested in joining. Smith says the pitch was enticing to Erger and others because he essentially told them, "Come do what you do, but do it in the Bahamas," which quickly became hard to turn down.

"Events like this are big time, and we’ve seen them happening in men's basketball for years," Erger said. "Women’s volleyball has stepped up to the national stage and has the fan bases and excitement to participate in these exciting opportunities. Great teams, great location and a great opportunity to elevate our sport."

The GS Global Sports CEO also shared with USA TODAY the goal of the Paradise Invitational is not only to highlight programs from Power 4 conferences, but to provide a preseason gauge about where teams may be ahead of the 2026 season. "I also want (players) to walk away with, 'Hey, I played two really, really competitive games that got us ready for this NCAA Tournament run that we're going to make later in the season,'" Smith said.

Smith revealed he chose teams he believes will provide high-level competition and be in the top 25, potentially the top 10, when the season begins. Purdue has 29 NCAA Tournament appearances and made the Elite Eight last year. Kentucky has 26 postseason bids, won the 2020 national championship and was runner-up to Texas A&M in 2025. Houston has 21 tournaments bids and SMU has five and, in 2025, the program made the Sweet 16.

"This is the first tournament of its kind being played in the Bahamas, and it’s certainly not a cupcake tournament," Purdue head coach Dave Shondell said of the showcase."We’re playing quality teams − three of the four teams advanced to the Regional Semifinals last year. It’s elite competition, the kind of matchups you’ll see come December, only it’s September. ... It’s a special opportunity and should make for a fun, historic and action packed trip."

Smith told USA TODAY that having the buy-in of top coaches in college volleyball lets him know that GS Global Sports might be "on the right wave" ― tropical pun intended. He says the coaches are his largest recruiters and, as such, within the next "year or two," the Paradise Invitational will explore adding as many as eight teams. For now, Smith wants to focus on the proof of concept.

"It's one thing for me to say, 'Hey, I want to do something for women's volleyball," Smith said. "It's another thing for me to put my resources and my time behind it and actually create an event that I think has the opportunity to be extremely special. [It's] so special that we've kind of already got teams reaching out for next year, for 2027."