The League
The 2026 season introduces League stops in Belmar, New Jersey; Aspen, Colorado; and Las Vegas, Nevada, while continuing to showcase the sport in established markets like Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, and Chicago. For fans, that means more variety, more unique venues, and a League schedule that continues to adapt while delivering compelling competition at the highest level of the sport.
A Clear Pathway Through Professional Competition
One of the most noticeable changes from 2025 to 2026 is the expansion of AVP Contender events across the country.
Last season featured five Contender tournaments. In 2026, that number grows to eight Heritage Contender events, strengthening the professional competition that feeds directly into the broader AVP ecosystem as many AVP athletes aspire to qualify for The League.
These events serve as a critical layer of the professional circuit – providing more opportunities for teams to compete, earn results, and establish themselves within the AVP landscape. The expanded schedule creates greater depth across the season and allows fans to follow players and teams as they progress through different levels of AVP competition.
Laguna Joins the AVP’s Heritage Tradition
The 2026 season also brings an important addition to the AVP’s Heritage Tournament Series: the Laguna Open.
Long recognized as one of the most iconic stops in beach volleyball, Laguna moves from Contender status in 2025 to a full Heritage event in 2026. It now joins the Manhattan Beach Open and Huntington Beach Open as a cornerstone of the AVP Heritage calendar.
For longtime fans, it’s a recognition of Laguna’s place in the sport’s history. For newer fans, it’s another marquee event that reinforces what Heritage tournaments represent – tradition, prestige, and high-stakes competition on iconic beaches in America.
A Longer Season With More to Follow
Beyond individual events, the overall shape of the AVP season continues to evolve.
While the 2025 calendar largely ran from May through September, the 2026 season stretches from April through October, creating a longer, more consistent rhythm for the tour. For fans, that means more volleyball across more months, and more moments to follow as the season unfolds.
The League is evolving in its third year. The professional competition beneath it is expanding, the Heritage system is being built and strengthened, and the season itself is an exciting tiered system for the greatest sport on earth. Ticketing will be announced shortly. See you on the sand.