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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 3, 2025) — USA Volleyball announces the return of the 2026 USA Volleyball Beach National Championship to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, set for July 13-18, 2026. The weeklong event will once again bring together the nation’s top junior beach athletes to compete across Open and American divisions in age groups ranging from 12U through 18U.
Building on the momentum of 2025, the largest Beach National Championship since 2019, the 2026 event will bring even more opportunities for competition, growth and celebration. As USA Volleyball’s premier junior beach event, it will feature hundreds of teams and attract athletes, families, coaches and fans from across the country. Virginia Beach, with its iconic shoreline and longstanding tradition of hosting major sporting events, provides the perfect backdrop for celebrating athletic achievement, athlete development, and community connection.
Event Details
Dates: July 13-18, 2026
Location: Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Virginia Beach, Va.
Session I: July 13-15: Boys 16U, Girls 12U, Girls 16U
Session II: July 16-18: Boys 12U, Boys 14U, Boys 18U, Girls 14U, Girls 18U
Age Division Definitions (2025-26 Season)
- 18 & Under: Athletes graduating high school in 2026 or later
- 16 & Under: Athletes graduating high school in 2028 or later
- 14 & Under: Athletes graduating high school in 2030 or later
- 12 & Under: Athletes graduating high school in 2032 or later
View the event registration page.
“We are thrilled to bring the Beach National Championship back to Virginia Beach, where the energy of the oceanfront matches the passion of our junior athletes,” said USA Volleyball Chief Operating Officer Steve Bishop. “With match play across Open divisions and officiated courts, this championship will highlight the best of our sport and elevate the athlete’s experience. Together with our partners at Virginia Beach, we are proud to create new opportunities for athletes, coaches, and families while celebrating the continued growth of beach volleyball nationwide. This championship reflects our vision for the future of the game, serving as both a season highlight and a milestone in the rise of beach volleyball across the country.”
The 2026 USA Volleyball Beach National Championship will introduce enhanced competition updates that raise the level of play and create a stronger athlete experience. For the first time, all Open divisions will compete under a full best-of-three match play format (21, 21, 15). Teams will navigate structured pool matches over the first two days before advancing to mini match play (15, 15, 11) on the third day. The final stages with the semifinals and medal matches will feature the full best-of-three structure, ensuring the event’s peak moments are contested at the highest intensity.
While the Open divisions shift to this expanded format, the American divisions will continue with the established set-play structure, with matches consisting of one set to either 28 or 21 depending on pool size. In another milestone, all Open division courts will feature certified officials for the first time. This evolution eliminates athletes self-officiating responsibilities while maintaining scorekeeping tasks, creating a more consistent, fair, and professional competition environment.
Beyond the competition, the 2026 championship will also offer college coaching clinics for athletes, coaches and families to experience. College recruiters and coaches will be welcomed into the new College Coaches Cabana, an exclusive retreat offering shaded lounge seating, premium amenities and dedicated networking spaces, all designed to keep coaches connected to the action with comfort and convenience.
Additionally, junior beach coaches and club directors will have the opportunity to participate in The Huddle, a new social and collaborative gathering honoring their dedication to athlete development. This event provides a setting for shared experiences, meaningful community-building, and open discussions on how to continue advancing the sport of beach volleyball.
“We are thrilled to welcome the USA Volleyball Beach National Championship back to Virginia Beach in 2026!” said Dani Timm, director of Virginia Beach Sports Tourism. “This event is not only a major highlight on our sports calendar but also a tremendous opportunity for our community. Bringing together athletes, families and fans from across the country showcases Virginia Beach as a premier destination for elite competition and world-class experiences, both on and off the sand. We are grateful to USA Volleyball for their continued trust in our city and look forward to building on the incredible success of this past summer’s championship.”
Stay tuned for additional details.