Updated Schedules
This better be the last one...
As the official start to the season looms, I’m hoping we’ve received the finalfinal iterations of each event schedule. In the meantime, I’ve updated all the color copies and linked the original posts that talk through each one. Scroll to the bottom if you’re only here for the conflicts.
AVP:
*Missing due to spacing reasons is the three qualifiers for the league. They’re scheduled for March 28th, April 4th, and April 11th, and confirmed to be single elimination just like last year. Check out the graphic from Bet the Beach, who offered odds on each teams’ chance to qualify.
Beach Pro Tour:
Master Schedule:
Conflicts:
Check out Bet the Beach for the full schedule + conflicts here.
Futures Events are not listed above because there’s so many of them, but I’ve included them in this section.
Events & Level of Concern:
March 4-8 Bhubaneswar, India- Challenge AND March 5-8 Sanya, China- Futures
I do see this as a conflict, though not a major one. Teams that would not make the main draw or qualification for India have a backup plan in China. Given the relation to Olympic qualification (lack thereof), the registration for the destinations which boast significant travel is expected to be light. As a result, we may see teams who usually play the Futures level try their hand at this Challenge.
March 11-15 Joao Pessoa, Brazil- Elite AND Coolangatta, Australia- Futures AND Haikou, China- Futures
This is a conflict solely for the amount of events, though they’re on the opposite end of the spectrum. One might wonder the benefit of having two Futures events in one weekend.
Same thinking for the Ostrava Elite on May 27-31 and two futures events: Cervia Italy, and Wuhan, China.
As well as the Montreal Elite and Bujumbura Futures, both held the third week of August.
March 25-29 Nayarit, Mexico- Challenge AND March 24-27 Rarotonga, Cook Islands- Futures
The conflict here is similar to the first point I made. But for this one, travel comes into play. Teams will be weighing traveling to what is technically part of New Zealand (I had to Google that), versus a short flight to Mexico.
May 13-17 Xiamen, China- Challenge AND May 14-17 (Women’s) Madrid, Spain- Futures
Xiamen is a popular stop for U.S. athletes, one we’ve had recent success in from a diverse roster of teams. For me, this is the turning point in the season where the Pro Tour events are no longer optional. As a result, I believe teams that have been testing the waters at the Challenge level may find themselves pushed down the registration list and back competing at the Futures level.
Same thinking for the Nuvali Challenge on May 20-24 and the Thailand Futures May 21-24. There’s a Contender’s event that weekend as well, initially announced to be in Pompano, but the schedule now says “South Florida,” which could indicate a location change. It’s safe to assume teams would opt to stay in the U.S. rather than travel overseas.
June 6-7 Aspen, Colorado- League Week 2 AND June 4-7 Krakow, Poland AND Sveti Vlas, Bulgaria- Futures
The teams playing in the league are teams who frequent Elites and sometimes Challenges. As a result, a league stop and two Futures isn’t much of a conflict.
Same thinking for AVP League Week 8 in Dallas and the Futures event in Pingtan, China, both scheduled for the second weekend of August
July 1-5 Gstaad, Switzerland- Elite AND July 4-5 Denver Open- Contenders AND two futures: July 2-5 Messina, Italy & Rzeszow, Poland
The big conflict is between the Contenders and Futures event, though as stated above, teams will most likely choose to remain stateside versus travel.
July 22-26 Shangluo, China- Challenge AND July 23-26 Laginha Beach, Cape Verde- Futures AND July 25-26 East Hampton NY League Week 7
The conflict only exists for teams who make the league.
August 14-16 Manhattan Beach Open- Heritage AND August 13-16 Busan, Korea AND Qidong, China- Futures
Because of what MBO has come to represent: what feels like the last man standing in respect to the good ole’ days, it’s safe to again assume that teams will stay home in pursuit of that hometown glory.
September 5-6 Chicago League Championship Weekend and Mother Lode Colorado- AVP Contenders
The conflict only exists for teams who make the league AND the league finals. We saw some of this location based scheduling last season with the Palm Beach Open. My hope is the both events are marketed and accessible this go around.
Previously discussed in this issue:
Xiamen Challenge & Huntington Beach Open: 5/13-5/17
Far from the first Challenge on the schedule, I could see athletes bypassing Xiamen for the first Heritage “Major” Event of the year. The teams usually qualifying or attempting to qualify for Challenge events would most likely be in the main draw of this double elimination tournament. As a result, teams would have the ability to play more and travel less. Win/win if teams stay home.
Ostrava Elite & Belmar Open: 5/27-5/31
[Beginning of February brought with it the bad news: Belmar is no longer a heritage event, but the first league stop.] This might just be me. When first announced, Belmar as the new Heritage stop had some fans (myself included) scratching their heads. After some research, though, the motives are clearer as they align with previous decisions: revive old markets and grow new ones. We have accepted by now (hopefully) the unavoidable truth that beach volleyball can’t survive and thrive if it’s restricted to the West Coast. And New Jersey, more specifically Belmar, was a hot spot for the company back in the day. Events ran from 1991-2008/2010 and were headlined by players we know and love, such as Todd & Phil, Hyden & Sean Scott, Gibb & Rosenthal, Kesey & Ross, Misty May, Elaine Youngs, Holly McPeak, and many more.
Ostrava is probably the second most popular stop on the Pro Tour. Held in an industrial park turned beach arena, fans and athletes alike embrace the unique atmosphere. It would be an obvious decision for athletes, depending on their situation, to choose an Elite over an AVP event. The obvious is highlighted when the Elite in question is Ostrava or Gstaad. The potential red flags are waving then in using Belmar as a gauge for East Coast interest. If big names don’t show, as in those who play and regularly qualify for Elite events, it’s anybody’s guess what the attendance will look like.
Alanya Challenge & League Week 2 & Virginia Beach Contenders
The concern here is more for the amount of events held at the same time. Often, athletes who don’t make the league wind up playing Contenders events, as well as playing or attempting to qualify for Challenge Events. Virginia Beach has gained some notoriety, but from a competitive standpoint, teams are often better served on the international circuit- if they qualify.
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That’s the scoop. I really hope this is the last schedule post I have to put out, but I know better than that by now. Up next, a comprehensive list of all the confirmed partnerships and another player profile. Thanks for joining!
Rosie R | Pro Volleyball News | Beachside Scoop
A beach volleyball superfan focused on growing the game by making it easier to follow, watch, and love.