The 2026 AVP League is taking shape — but the most volatile part of the season is just beginning. Several teams already earned their place in next year’s League through 2025 results:
Women
- Melissa Humana-Paredes / Brandie Wilkerson – League Cup Winners & League Championship Runner-Up
- Lexy Denaburg / Julia Donlin – League Champions
- Terese Cannon / Megan Kraft – League Cup Runner-Up
- Taryn Brasher / Kristen Nuss – Regular Season Individual Duo Champions
Men
- Trevor Crabb / Phil Dalhausser – League Champions & League Cup Winners
- Hagen Smith / Logan Webber – League Championship Runner-Up & League Cup Runner-Up
- Andy Benesh / Miles Partain – Regular Season Individual Duo Champions
Cannon and Kraft secured a League berth together. Benesh and Partain did the same. But those teams are no longer intact. Cannon and Kraft have split. Benesh and Partain have split. Because League qualification is earned by duo – not by individual – those earned positions do not automatically transfer to new partnerships.
As outlined in New Partnerships for 2026, Kraft is now competing alongside Kelly Cheng. Benesh has aligned with Taylor Crabb. Partain has officially reunited with Paul Lotman. With those partnerships dissolved, the field resets.
Five women’s spots and six men’s spots are now open. Nothing carries over. Every new pairing must earn its place.
Three Saturdays. One Beach. Everything on the Line.
The remaining League berths will be decided across three AVP League Qualifier events, held south of the Manhattan Beach Pier on three consecutive Saturdays:
- March 28
- April 4
- April 11
Each qualifier will feature 16 teams per gender in a single-elimination format. Lose once, and you are done. There is no backside bracket. No second chance that day. Matches will be best two-of-three to 15 points. Athletes already qualified for the 2026 League are not eligible to compete. Points from these events will not impact AVP player rankings. They apply only to 2026 AVP League Qualification.
The structure is simple — and unforgiving:
- Each event winner earns an automatic League spot (three per gender).
Win, and you control your path. Fall early, and the pressure compounds immediately. In a single-elimination environment, one tight set or one missed serve can mean waiting another year.
Why This Year Feels Different
The 2026 AVP season is expanding – new League markets, more Heritage Contender events, and a longer calendar — as detailed in A Breakdown of the 2026 AVP Season. The pathway is deeper. The standard is higher.
At the same time, major partnership changes have reshaped the top of the sport. As outlined in New Partnerships for 2026, elite players are entering qualification with new teammates and something to prove. That combination raises the stakes. New duos must deliver immediately. Established names have no protection. Emerging teams know opportunity is real — but so is the margin for error.
Qualification playoff competition at the highest level.
These three qualification events at the Manhattan Beach Pier are free and open to the public. Streaming info will be announced soon.