Beach Volleyball is an Olympic discipline, played outdoors or eventually indoors. Amateur athletes, semi-professional and professional athletes participate in national, continental and intercontinental events around the world. Beach Volleyball is an outstanding entertaining healthy and drug-free sport, attracting fashion conscious audiences oriented towards an active lifestyle.
It is an attractive opportunity for international and national brands, where men and women athletes have the same opportunities.
The FIVB, the Continental Volleyball Confederations and the National Volleyball Federations, as well as promoters, all play a crucial role in developing Beach Volleyball programs and activities in their respective territories of competence. A wide range of opportunities have been created in order to satisfy the needs of all the countries. The main goals of a dedicated events` structure are to give an open opportunity to all athletes to participate and to link the various levels of events with one another developing and integrating Beach Volleyball events in the event's structure.
One tool to link events is the FIVB points earned at Beach Volleyball events. When participating in certain categories/ levels of events, athletes earn the FIVB Points. These points serve as a technical evaluation of an athlete/ a team, as well as an event`s level determining criteria. For example, the amount of FIVB points earned in a World Tour event will be much higher than the points earned in a recognized Satellite or Challenger event.
FIVB Points are earned by each player competing in an event on the FIVB Swatch World Tour and Swatch World Championships. The higher the tournament ranking the higher the points earned and the higher the level of the event (Open, Grand Slam, World Championships, recognized Continental Tour (including the Final and other types of events part of the Tour) and recognized Satellite/Challenger) the higher the points that are available.
An athlete may earn FIVB points at a recognized Continental Tour Final.
In future, allocation of the FIVB points might be also foreseen for the Beach Volleyball Continental Cup and FIVB Beach Volleyball World Cup to reward the athletes` participation in Beach Volleyball competitions possibly for the first time, building up their technical rapport and taking part to other level/ categories of events as well.
Beach Volleyball is a discipline fully recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and included in the Olympic program due to its positive results in terms of participation, popularity, gender equity, distribution of medals, athlete welfare, low level impact with the environment, relatively low costs to set-up a venue and universality. This means that the most important media and the most ardent fans follow the sport right through to the medal matches, and it has been no surprise that Volleyball and Beach Volleyball have been among the best supported events at the Olympic Games.
Winning the Olympics is considered to be the highest honor in international Beach Volleyball, followed by the FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch World Championships, and the FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch World Tour for men and women athletes.
Since Beach Volleyball`s introduction to the Olympic Games, United States, Brazil and Australia are the only nations to have won gold medals in both disciplines.
The Olympic Games are organized under the jurisdiction of the International Olympic Committee with a support of the International Federations of the respective sports. Since the introduction of Beach Volleyball to the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, four successful editions of Beach Volleyball tournaments (Men & Women) have taken place. Next edition of Beach Volleyball tournaments at the Olympic Games will be held in London in 2012.
| Event: | 2012 Olympic Games |
| Sanctioning body: | IOC |
| Organizer: | A host city supported by its National Olympic Committee (NOC) |
| Period: | Every 4 years |
| Gender: | Men & Women |
| Venue: | Horse Guards Parade, London, United Kingdom |
| Dates: | Saturday, 28 July - Thursday, 9 August |
| Medal events: | 2 (Men and Women) |
| Athletes: | 96 (48 men, 48 women; 24 teams in each event) |
| Olympic Qualification: |
|
| Competition Format: |
|
| Next Edition: | Rio de Janeiro 2016 The 2016 Olympic Games Beach Volleyball tournaments will be held in Rio de Janeiro in a stadium of 15,000 seats capacity. The Olympic Games Beach Volleyball tournaments will be hosted in Copacabana, where Mr. Samaranch and other IOC members attended the Beach Volleyball World Championships in 1993. This event encouraged IOC to include Beach Volleyball in the Olympic Games program at the 1996 Olympic Games in USA. |
Fivb beach volleyball senior world championshipsThe FIVB World Championships (senior men`s and women’s tournaments) are the blue-ribbon FIVB-sanctioned events currently promoted every two (odd) years. It has also been identified as the fastest growing FIVB property, with the consequent editions becoming “bigger” and “better”. World Championships provide continuity to the promotion of the sport between Olympic Games and offer tremendous marketing and promotional opportunities to the organizers and FIVB partners.
These events allocate the highest Prize Money, Bonus Pool, and World Ranking points to the best 48 participating teams per gender in the World Ranking. In addition, the World Championships preceding the Olympic Games are included into the Olympic qualification process allocating precious ranking points.
For the last edition of the FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch World Championships in Rome, Italy please click here!
2003 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| Event: | FIVB Beach Volleyball Senior World Championships |
| Sanctioning body: | FIVB |
| Organizer: | Organizers are given rights to organize the event based on terms & conditions |
| Period: | Every 2 years |
| Gender: | Men & Women |
| Venue: | Minimum 8`000 seats |
| Dates: | Agreed upon with the organizer |
| Athletes: | The best 48 men`s & women’s teams |
| International title sponsor: | SWATCH |
| International suppliers / sponsors: | Mikasa and Descente |
| Total Prize Money & Bonus Pool: | USD 500`000 per gender |
| Olympic Qualification: | Part of the Olympic Qualification in the year preceding the Olympic Games |
| Competition Format: | Main Draw of 48 teams per gender is played in two phases. The first phase is played through 12 pool of 4 teams each (Round Robin) and the 2nd phase with 32 teams in a Single Elimination format. |
| Next Edition: | 2013 FIVB World Championships in Stare Jablonki, Poland |
The World Tour was first organized in 1989 with just three participating countries (Brazil, Japan and Italy). In 2011, it is now in its 23rd season and is made up of 16 women's events and 14 men's events in five continents with approximately 51 participating countries, more than 1500 active registered athletes, about 2859 matches, and over USD 7.4 million in Prize Money and Bonus Pool.
Grand Slam and Open events are annual series of events, part of the FIVB SWATCH World Tour’s concept. These events feature Beach Volleyball stars from the best men`s and women’s professional teams in the world thanks to the FIVB strategy to guarantee an open participation linked to a merit based scale. Only teams made up of athletes of the same nationality can represent their respective countries on the FIVB SWATCH World Tour (as well as in any other FIVB Events).
Athletes earn World Ranking points, Prize Money and Bonus Pool credits at each event. At the end of the season, the team with the most World Ranking points receives from the FIVB the title of “World Ranking Champions” and a trophy during an awarding ceremony. The World Ranking and the best World Tour results are respectively taken into consideration for the qualification of the teams in the World Championships and the Olympic Games.
In principle, the FIVB World Tour events are composed of three following phases:
Grand Slam is an annual series of events, part of the FIVB Beach Volleyball SWATCH World Tour, staged in spectacular locations and in first-class facilities. A team winning all Grand Slam events in 1 year will enter into the history of the sport. Grand Slam represents the best properties on the World Tour in terms of location, venue set-up, entertainment, TV production, promotion, Ranking points allocated to participating athletes, prize money, participation, Worldwide media, etc. Grand Slam properties offer a chance to benefit from an effective integrated media & TV plan with exceptional exposure and tremendously high commercial value.
| Event: | FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Grand Slam |
| Sanctioning body: | FIVB |
| Organizer: | Organizers are given rights to organize the event based on terms & conditions |
| Period: | Every year multiple events |
| Gender: | Men & Women |
| Venue: | Minimum 6`000 seats |
| Dates: | Agreed upon with the organizer |
| Athletes: | Only 32 teams may enter the Qualification tournament |
| International title sponsor: | SWATCH |
| International suppliers / sponsors: | Mikasa and Descente |
| Total Prize Money & Bonus Pool: | USD 300`000 per gender |
| Olympic Qualification: | Part of the Olympic Qualification in the year preceding the Olympic Games |
| Competition Format: | Grand Slam offers unique competition formats (pool play & single elimination). |
| Next Edition: | Please refer to the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour calendar. |
| Event: | FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Open |
| Sanctioning body: | FIVB |
| Organizer: | Organizers are given rights to organize the event based on terms & conditions |
| Period: | Every year multiple events |
| Gender: | Men & Women |
| Venue: | Minimum 3`000 - 4`000 seats |
| Dates: | Agreed upon with the organizer |
| Athletes: | Only 64 teams may enter the Qualification tournament |
| International title sponsor: | SWATCH |
| International suppliers / sponsors: | Mikasa and Descente |
| Total Prize Money & Bonus Pool: | USD 190`000 per gender |
| Olympic Qualification: | Part of the Olympic Qualification in the year preceding the Olympic Games |
| Competition Format: | Open events are played in a double elimination format |
| Next Edition: | Please refer to the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour calendar. |
The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Cup events - Olympic Qualification and the Final are the concluding events of the 3 year competition - Beach Volleyball Continental Cup. FIVB Beach Volleyball World Cup Olympic Qualification is held on a set date (28th June – 1st July 2012) and being part of the Olympic Qualification process defined two Olympic places per gender to the 2012 Olympic Games in London, in addition to the Olympic Ranking and Beach Volleyball Continental Cup. While the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Cup Final, will determine the winner country /champion amongst the five Continental Confederations, National Federations having qualified 2 Olympic Places through the Olympic Ranking and Olympic Medalists and will be held after the 2012 Olympic Games on a date to be determined between November 2012 to January 2013.
| Event: | FIVB Beach Volleyball World Cup Olympic Qualification |
| Sanctioning body: | FIVB |
| Organizer: | Organizers are given rights to organize the event based on terms & conditions |
| Period: | Every 4 years |
| Gender: | Men & Women |
| Venue: | Minimum 3`000 seats |
| Dates: | 28 June - 1 July 2012 |
| Qualification Criteria: | 2nd and 3rd ranked countries per gender from each Continental Cup |
| Number of Participating Countries: | 10 or 12 countries, if the Host Country has not qualified through the qualification criteria. Should the Host Country not qualify through the qualification criteria, then in order to have a balanced roster (of 6 countries each group - a total of 12), a drawing of lots was carried out among the 5 Confederations to determine the Confederation which had the right to take part in the FIVB World Cup Olympic Qualification with an additional country. |
| Country`s Representation: | 2 teams per country per gender |
| International title sponsor: | Available |
| Presenting Sponsor: | Available |
| International suppliers / sponsors: | Mikasa |
| Total Prize Money: | Recommended - decision of the organizer |
| Olympic Qualification: | Yes, determined 2 Olympic places per gender |
| Competition Format: | 10 (ten) or 12 (twelve) countries participating will play in 2 pools (A and B) of 5 or 6 countries according to a round robin system. The best 2 countries of the 2 (two) pools will play against each other as follows: A1 vs. B2 and A2 vs. B1. The country of the winning teams of these matches (best of 3 matches format) will qualify directly to the Olympic Games |
| Next Edition: | 2012 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Cup Olympic Qualification in Moscow, Russia |
| Available Edition: | 2016 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Cup Olympic Qualification |
| Event: | FIVB Beach Volleyball World Cup Final |
| Sanctioning body: | FIVB |
| Organizer: | Organizers are given rights to organize the event based on terms & conditions |
| Period: | Every 4 years |
| Gender: | Men & Women |
| Venue: | Minimum 3`000 seats |
| Dates: | TBC between November 2012 to January 2013 |
| Qualification Criteria: | 1)Winner country of each Continental Cup Final (five in total), 2) Countries having qualified the maximum (2) Olympic places through the Olympic Ranking (currently 4 countries per gender, but the exact number to be determined on 18th June 2012), 3) The Gold medalist country of the Olympic Games (In case already qualified through the two previous criteria, the next ranked country in the Olympic event`s ranking will be picked up), 4) In case the roster of 10 countries will not be filled, the next ranked country, up to the 4th place, in the Olympic event`s ranking will be picked up to complete the roster per gender`s event. |
| Number of Participating Countries: | 10 countries |
| Country`s Representation: | The best team in the National Ranking. In case the team is unavailable due to a force majeure or injury, the 2nd best team in the National Ranking |
| International title sponsor: | Available |
| Presenting Sponsor: | Available |
| International suppliers / sponsors: | Mikasa |
| Total Prize Money: | USD 150`000 per gender |
| Olympic Qualification: | No |
| Competition Format: | 2 pools of five teams/countries each playing in a Round Robin, where the 2 best ranked teams from each pool will advance to the 2 cross Semi-Finals and the winner of these matches will compete in the medal matches for the title of the Winner of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Cup Final. |
| Next Edition: | 2012 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Cup Final in Brazil |
| Available Edition: | 2016 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Cup Final |
The FIVB SWATCH Junior World Championships and FIVB SWATCH Youth World Championships are annual combined men`s and women’s events. These events are staged with the participation of young athletes (under-21 and under-19) from all over the world. The best 32 men`s and the best 32 women’s teams in the Main Draw play for the world crown and to determine the future generation of professional Beach Volleyball athletes. These events can be staged over four days. The respective organizers of the events cover the costs for the international travel of the winning teams to a World Tour event in current and the following World Tour season. The FIVB shall grant a Wild Card for a World Tour event to the gold medalists; and such Wild Card should be mutually agreed upon by the FIVB, the teams concerned and the organizers.
Please refer to the detailed terms and conditions of the FIVB Junior /Youth World Championships for more information.
The Youth WCHs winning team of each gender event will be granted a Wild Card to a Junior WCHs and the Junior WCHs winning team of each gender event will be granted a Wild Card to a World Tour and a free airplane ticket from the respective event's Championships organizers in 2011 or 2012 (to be decided in agreement with all parties).
| Event: | FIVB Beach Volleyball Junior/ Youth World Championships |
| Sanctioning body: | FIVB |
| Organizer: | Organizers are given rights to organize the event based on terms & conditions |
| Period: | Annual |
| Gender: | Men & Women |
| Venue: | Minimum 2`000 seats |
| Dates: | Agreed upon with the organizer |
| Athletes: | 32 teams per gender |
| International title sponsor: | SWATCH |
| International suppliers / sponsors: | Mikasa |
| Total Prize Money & Bonus Pool: | No Prize Money or Bonus Pool |
| Olympic Qualification: | Not part of the Olympic Qualification process |
| Competition Format: | Pool play with 32 teams followed by a Single elimination with 24 teams |
| Continental & Country Quota: | 2 Host Country teams 6 teams per each Continental Volleyball Confederation (30 in total) |
| Country`s Representation: | 1 team per National Volleyball Federation |
| Qualification/Selection Criteria: | The criteria to select teams by each Continental Confederation has to be based on (any eventual) Youth and Junior Continental Championships event ranking issued before the 2012 FIVB SWATCH Youth and Junior World Championships. Should the Continental Confederations not have any Youth and Junior Continental Championships event ranking or not deliver the above mentioned 6 teams, the FIVB will automatically select teams following the below requirements (in priority from the top to the bottom):
|
| Special Conditions: | FIVB supports the organizer with USD 50`000 |
| Next Edition: | 2012 FIVB Beach Volleyball Junior World Championships in Halifax, Canada 2012 FIVB Beach Volleyball Youth World Championships in Larnaka, Cyprus |
| Available Edition: | Organizing entity (ies) for 2013 and onwards to be determined by the end the preceding year |
Many today`s sport heroes started their Beach Volleyball careers at the Youth and/ or Junior World Championships – Juliana (BRA), Larissa (BRA), Marta Menegatti (ITA), Laura Ludwig (GER), Nadine Zumkehr (SUI), Pedro (BRA), Pablo Herrera (ESP), Adrian Gavira (ESP), Maria Clara (BRA), Doris & Stefanie Schwaiger (AUT), Marleen Van Iersel (NED), Janis Smedins (LAT), Martins Plavins (LAT), Emilia & Erika Nystrom (FIN) and many - many more!
Beach Volleyball Continental Cup is disputed from 1 June 2010 to 24 June 2012 in a NOC/NF vs. NOC/NF with a direct elimination competition format where the winner NOC/NF(s) moves forward to the next phase. Competition consists of three phases (Sub zone, Zone and Continental Final phase) and will determine five winner NOCs/NFs (one of each Continental Confederation territory) per gender to qualify to the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
| Event: | Beach Volleyball Continental Cup – AVC Continental Cup, CAVB Continental Cup, CEV Continental Cup, CSV Continental Cup and NORCECA Continental Cup |
| Sanctioning body: | Respective Continental Confederation following basic terms & conditions set by the FIVB |
| Organizer: | Organizers are given rights to organize the event based on terms & conditions developed by the sanctioning body |
| Period: | 3-phase competition every Olympic Cycle (every 4 years) |
| Gender: | Men & Women |
| Venue: | Determined by the sanctioning body |
| Dates: | Agreed upon between the organizer and the sanctioning body |
| Athletes: | As per the competition scheme developed by the sanctioning body and approved by the FIVB |
| International title sponsor: | Available |
| International suppliers / sponsors: | Mikasa |
| Total Prize Money: | Determined by the sanctioning body |
| Olympic Qualification: | Part of the Olympic Qualification process, determines 5 Olympic places per gender |
| Competition Format: | Country vs. Country in a best of five matches’ format and in case of a tie a Golden set may be played until 15 points with a 2-point lead by the athletes designated by each country. |
| Country Quota: | Each country is represented by 2 teams per gender |
| Special Conditions: | FIVB, through the Continental Volleyball Confederations, financially supports the organizing and participating NFs in the first phases |
| Next Edition: | 2013-2016 where organizing entity (ies) to be determined each phase and each cycle |
An FIVB recognized Continental Tour is an annual set of Beach Volleyball activities within a Continental Volleyball Confederation`s territory in a set period of time that complies with the minimum criteria set out by the FIVB (Continental Tour Homologation). Part of a recognized Continental Tour, a Continental Tour Final or Championships, being the final event of the Continental Tour and having pre-requisites for teams` entry, is counted towards the Olympic Ranking and allocating valuable ranking points to the athletes.
To receive the appropriate recognition of the FIVB, the respective Continental Volleyball Confederation is to send a dedicated Continental Tour Homologation form featuring required details, the FIVB then assesses the information and grants its approval should the information provided be satisfactory.
| Event: | Beach Volleyball Continental Tour |
| Sanctioning body: | Respective Continental Confederation based on FIVB`s minimum requirements |
| Organizer: | Organizers are given rights to organize the event based on terms & conditions developed by the sanctioning body |
| Period: | Annual series of events |
| Gender: | Men & Women |
| Venue: | Determined by the sanctioning body |
| Dates: | Agreed upon between the organizer and the sanctioning body |
| Athletes: | Determined by the sanctioning body |
| International title sponsor: | Appointed by the sanctioning body |
| International suppliers / sponsors: | Appointed by the sanctioning body |
| Total Prize Money: | Determined by the sanctioning body |
| Olympic Qualification: | Not directly, but FIVB points earned at recognized Continental Tour Finals (best of the two results) count towards the Olympic Ranking. |
| Competition Format: | Determined by the sanctioning body |
| Country Quota: | Determined by the sanctioning body |
| Next Edition: | Organizing entities are appointed by the sanctioning body |
In 2011, CAVB did not organize a Beach Volleyball Continental Tour due to the busy events` schedule of the CAVB Continental Cup`s Zonal Phase, however in 2012 CAVB might implement a Beach Volleyball Continental Tour to evolve their athletes.
Starting from 2009 the FIVB has given the opportunity to all Volleyball Confederations having a dedicated Beach Volleyball Department to be responsible to sanction Challenger and Satellite. Previously such events had been solely under the jurisdiction of the FIVB. These events are the perfect platform for creating FIVB Beach Volleyball World Cup the next generation of sporting stars and personalities and provide countries with the opportunity to promote an intercontinental event within a limited budget.
Challenger and Satellite are included in the FIVB Official Beach Volleyball calendar and teams earn World Ranking (Men & Women) points although their exposure can be exploited at National Level only. The events are a ‘golden gateway’ for young and professional athletes to major FIVB events, and give new promoters valuable experience towards the organization of a World Tour event.
As of today, European Volleyball Confederation has organized several very successful events in this category. More detailed information may be found on the CEV Beach Volleyball Events` calendar.
As of 2010, CSV has also taken over the responsibility of sanctioning Challenger and Satellite events in its territory.
The last event of this category in the Asian Volleyball Confederation`s territory still under the jurisdiction of the FIVB had been held in Seoul (KOR) on 16-19 June 2011. All Challenger and Satellite events in the AVC Territory from 2012 and onwards are the sole responsibility of the AVC.
Other Continental Volleyball Confederations are yet to explore these opportunities.
The 2010 FIVB SWATCH World Tour Open event in Aland, Finland was hosted by the Finish Volleyball Federation and the Swedish Volleyball Federation. To increase their national athlete exposure, during the day of the final matches of the tournament an exhibition was held between two Swedish and two Finish teams! This turned out a great success to keep the local audience in the stadium.
Exhibitions and Country vs. Country Beach Volleyball events are a smaller size events having selected / invited teams compete. These events due to fewer matches being played may be considered as an added entertainment value to another type function or event, or be an event itself.
All the conditions, concessions, fees, etc., to stage Intercontinental Exhibitions and Country versus Country must be agreed and authorized by the FIVB beforehand. Interested promoters are asked to submit to the FIVB for approval a proposal relating to the event they wish to promote at least six months before the anticipated start of the competition through the appropriate form available on the FIVB official website (WT/04b).
Once the application has been approved, these events are included in the FIVB Official Beach Volleyball calendar.
A multi-sport event is an organized sporting event, often held over multiple days, featuring competition in different sports between teams of athletes from (mostly) nation-states. The first major, modern, multi-sport event of international significance was the modern Olympic Games. As Beach Volleyball is becoming more and more popular, also major Multi Games events include Beach Volleyball in their event`s programs.
National Tours are an annual series of Beach Volleyball events in a certain nation`s territory. National Volleyball Federations are required to request a National Tour homologation to obtain the approval of the FIVB. Beach Volleyball National tour events are considered the true sport`s development as it is a stepping stone for athletes. Having a strong Beach Volleyball National Tour, a National Volleyball Federation may build on the technical level of its athletes.
These series of National Beach Volleyball events are to be recognized by the FIVB to be included in the FIVB Official Beach Volleyball calendar. For a National Volleyball Federation to apply for its National Beach Volleyball tour`s homologation, it is required to send to the FIVB a duly filled out National Tour homologation form complying with the criteria set out by the FIVB.
Want to create a competitive National Tour and raise the technical level of your Beach Volleyball athletes?
→ Participation of international teams at a National Tour is allowed if consent is provided by the athletes/ teams` NF and the hosting NF.
Since the introduction of the Beach Volleyball Continental Cup, athletes` participation is the recognized National Tour events count towards the athlete Olympic Eligibility criteria. Please refer to the 2012 Olympic Qualification system for Beach Volleyball for further details (English or French).
Gala is a new FIVB concept event, where the event is staged at the end of the season to reward players, organizers, Host TV broadcasters, etc. This event should be eventually staged in a glamorous, touristic location with the participation of VIP/Celebrities. Gala serves the purpose of a public entertainment marking a special occasion to conclude an FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour season and honor the contributing parties. This event is recommended to be attached to a Beach Volleyball World Tour event, but a stand-alone Gala event may be also considered.
Entertainment programs are strongly recommended and a minimum TV Broadcasting should be foreseen by the potential organizer. Detailed organizational terms and conditions are available upon request.
Festival marks another new concept event combining an elite Beach Volleyball event and a strong entertainment program (i.e. world known musician, artist or band, etc.).
Festival would encompass an event to be staged at the end of the season, in a glamorous/ touristic location/ destination, with the participation of the best 8 men`s and women’s team in the World Ranking. This event is meant to generate an exceptional media value and coverage, and to promote the sport to new target market on an entertainment basis.
The organizational terms and conditions are available upon request.
