Beach World Series To Open In Dubai As Permanent Destination Under Five-Year Partnership

Dubai is confirmed as the permanent opening host city for the new global beach volleyball championship, the ‘Beach World Series’, which will debut in November 2026. The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and Dubai Sports Council agreed a five-year strategic partnership, placing Dubai at the start of every season and reinforcing its role in staging major international sports events.

The announcement followed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing during the World Sports Summit. Senior officials from both sides attended the ceremony, which highlighted Dubai’s long-term plan to grow its sports economy. The agreement links elite competition with entertainment experiences, with Dubai becoming the first city to secure a permanent opening stop for the series.

H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, stressed the wider importance of this decision. H.H. Sheikh Mansoor underlined that it supports Dubai’s strategy to attract global tournaments, while maintaining organisational standards that match international expectations across logistics, venues, and fan engagement.

H.H. Sheikh Mansoor said, "Dubai’s selection as the permanent global opening destination of a new international championship underscores the success of its vision for developing the sports sector. It also reflects the outcome of continued investment in advanced infrastructure and strategic partnerships with international federations, reinforcing Dubai’s presence on the global sports map."

The ‘Beach World Series’ is set to feature ten international destinations that combine sport and entertainment. Each stop will highlight its own culture while sharing a common competition format. Dubai’s opening leg will be designed to present elite beach volleyball alongside local identity, offering athletes and supporters a full beach experience shaped by music, activities, and fan interaction.

The partnership between FIVB and Dubai Sports Council spans five consecutive years, starting with the launch event in November 2026. During that period, Dubai will host the season-opening tournament every year. Additional cities for the global calendar will be announced in the coming months, with organisers targeting internationally recognised sports and leisure hubs across different regions.

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The MoU was signed in the presence of Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, and Saeed Hareb, Secretary-General of the Dubai Sports Council. The agreement itself was signed by Guido Betti, Chief Business Officer of Volleyball World, and Eisa Sharif, Director of the Sports Events Department at the Dubai Sports Council, outlining operational and promotional cooperation.

Sheikh Mansoor added, "The new international series represents an advanced model for innovative sporting championships. It reflects Dubai’s ability to deliver high-quality sporting events that contribute to the development of sport globally and strengthen its role as a platform that brings together athletes and sports enthusiasts through a fully integrated sporting experience aligned with the highest international standards."

Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, said, "We see the ‘Beach World Series’ as a tremendous opportunity for cities and destinations to showcase their identity and soul through beach volleyball, creating unique moments and experiences that can transform how the sport is experienced and celebrated by athletes, local thrill-seekers and bucket-list travellers from around the world." He added, "With the significant development Dubai has achieved across various sectors, its world-class sports infrastructure, and its innovation-driven approach, the emirate is laying the foundations for a new era in beach volleyball. This goes beyond sporting competition to deliver a fully integrated beach experience with global appeal."

Michael Payne, Chairman of Volleyball World, said, "Dubai has firmly established itself as one of the world’s leading tourism, entertainment and major event destinations. In recent years, it has built remarkable sports infrastructure and continues to present a bold and exciting vision for the future of sport. As we upgrade elite beach volleyball’s format, content, presentation and partnership offering, Dubai is a natural founding destination for the ‘Beach World Series’ and a partner that fully embodies the ambition and potential of this new global property." Organisers expect the series to strengthen elite beach volleyball while giving each host city space to present its culture.

With inputs from WAM