FAMILY SPORTS IN EUGENE

Taking Kids to an Oregon Ducks Volleyball Game: What Families Should Know

What it’s really like taking kids to a Ducks volleyball match at Matthew Knight Arena

Updated September 2026

A Ducks Game That Works for Families?

Living in Eugene means there are plenty of chances to introduce kids to college sports but not every game day requires a full-day commitment.

We took the kids to an Oregon Ducks volleyball match at Matthew Knight Arena to see what the experience is actually like for a family: how easy it is to get in, what keeps kids entertained, what parents should know ahead of time and whether we’d do it again.

Full disclosure, we had to leave after the first 2 sets because neither girl (4 and 6) was going to last. It was loud, it was fun and it's long. We stayed for 1.5hours and the game goes on for at least 4 sets. 

What the Game-Day Experience Is Like

We were able to park on the street on the backside of Matthew Knight, we then just took a short walk to the entrance. We arrived about 45minutes before the game started so we had time to walk around and find some seats. General admission seats still had an amazing view of the game. 

Matthew Knight Arena has a clear bag policy so we brought a clear bag with snacks and an empty water bottle for teh girls. It was crowded but not packed. We had quite a bit of space and empty seats near us. 

The Kid Experience

This is always the real test: did the kids actually care?

The girls had never seen a volleyball game (and I don't actually know much about what happens), but they were genuinely interested in the game and the intense back and forth. The band was there which was fun and added a lively upbeat feeling to the match. The cheerleaders and Puddles also were there. 

We ended up leaving early because the girls were starting to get restless. The 4 year old complained that it was too loud and too much noise. Next time, I'd bring noise cancelling headphones for her. The best ages would be kids who are ok sitting for awhile and having lots of loud noises- think cheering, music and general commotion from the floor. 

Kid verdict: Both girls stated they had the best time, but it was just to loud. 

The Parent Experience

A family outing can be fun for kids and still be a complete logistical disaster for parents. So here’s the part we actually want to know:

We would go again. We would plan to leave early and/or have headphones for our youngest. It was a fun outing but we were unprepared this time. 

How Long Is a Volleyball Match?

Our match lasted approximately an hour and a half from first serve to when we left. The game itself went for another 2 sets after we left. 

Seats + Visibility

We sat in the general admission area and we'd choose to sit there again. We had a great view of the court. 

Food + Concessions

Most of the concessions stands were open and we did pick up a drink and some hotdogs for the kids.

Noise + Atmosphere

It was very energetic Oregon feeling. There was music playing, but also the band. Lots of cheering, and noise-sensitive kids might want headphones. They also played the iconic "Shout" at the end of the second set.

Would We Take the Kids to Ducks Volleyball Again?

If your family wants the energy of a Ducks sporting event without committing to an entire football-game day, volleyball may be one of the easiest ways to introduce kids to Oregon athletics. Just the same as football, plan for a long loud day. 

Macaroni KID Eugene + Springfield shares our family’s real experiences exploring local events, activities and attractions. Details such as schedules, policies and prices can change, so check current information before heading out.