AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour to take Manhattan: First-ever AVP New York City Open set for this summer
The AVP’s biggest stars, including three-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings,
April Ross, Jennifer Kessy, Phil Dalhausser, Jake Gibb and Sean Rosenthal, will take to the sand
at Hudson River Park’s Pier 26/25 for tournament, July 16-19
NEW YORK and COSTA MESA, Calif. (May 5, 2015) – The Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) announced today that it will host the inaugural AVP New York City Open, the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour’s first-ever tournament in Manhattan, from July 16-19 at Hudson River Park’s Pier 26/25 along Lower Manhattan’s West Side.
The tournament is the second on the AVP’s 2015 schedule – the only stop in the Northeast – and is expected to attract the best and brightest stars of beach volleyball, including three-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings (2004, 2008, 2012), Olympic gold medalists Phil Dalhausser (2008) and Todd Rogers (2008), Olympic silver medalists April Ross (2012) and Jennifer Kessy (2012), two-time Olympians Jake Gibb (2008, 2012) and Sean Rosenthal (2008, 2012), and Olympian Nicole Branagh (2008), as well as a number of up-and coming stars and hopefuls for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“We’re tremendously excited to bring the AVP to Hudson River Park in New York City this summer,” said Donald Sun, the AVP’s managing partner. “It’s such an iconic sports town, and we’re thrilled to give New York City’s passionate sports fans an opportunity to enjoy our sport – and the incredible athleticism of the AVP’s amazing players – in their own backyard.
“It marks a true first, as it’s our first ever Manhattan tournament in the Tour’s 32-year history and a testament to the strength of our sport. With tournaments in Los Angeles and Chicago and now New York City, as well as events in the South, Southeast, Midwest and Northwest, we’re bringing what has traditionally been a beach sport to fans and partners all across the United States as the countdown to Rio continues.”
The AVP has held tournaments in Brooklyn, Uniondale, the Hamptons and other parts of New York State in years past, but has never set up shop in Manhattan until now.
“Hudson River Park is all about active recreation, and we are excited to host this inaugural event,” said Madelyn Wils, President and CEO, Hudson River Park Trust. “Adding the AVP New York City Open to our summer lineup is perfect for both our Park and the throngs of Park users who visit each day.”
The AVP New York City Open will feature 16 top men’s duos and 16 top women’s duos competing in three days of main draw play preceded by a one-day open qualifying tournament. The competition will be held on three courts spread out across Hudson River Park’s Pier 26/25, and will be surrounded by a high-energy atmosphere complete with great food, drinks, music and interactive activities.
The AVP New York City Open is the second tournament on the AVP’s 2015 schedule, which also includes events in New Orleans; Seattle; Manhattan Beach, Calif.; Chicago; Cincinnati; and Huntington Beach, Calif. The AVP will also host and operate an Olympic qualifying tournament on the FIVB Tour in St. Petersburg, Fla. this June.
The tournament finals will be broadcast live on NBC.
For information on ticket availability and competition schedules, please visit www.AVP.com.
2015 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour Schedule
Dates Event Location
May 21 – 24 AVP New Orleans Open Laketown (Kenner, La.)
June 15-21 FIVB St. Pete Grand Slam* Spa Beach Park (St. Petersburg, Fla.)
July 16-19 AVP New York City Open Hudson River Park’s Pier 26/25 (New York, N.Y.)
Aug. 6-9 AVP Seattle Open TBA
Aug. 13-16 AVP Manhattan Beach Open South side of pier (Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
Aug. 27-30 AVP Chicago Open Oak Street Beach (Chicago)
Sept. 3-6 AVP Cincinnati Open Lindner Family Tennis Center (Mason, Ohio)
Sept. 10-13 AVP Championships at Huntington Beach South side of pier (Huntington Beach, Calif.)
*The FIVB St. Pete Grand Slam is a 2016 Olympic qualifying tournament hosted and operated by the AVP as part of the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Tour. It is separate from the AVP Tour and will feature teams from around the world in addition to the AVP’s top teams.
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About The AVP
Established in 1983, the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) produces, markets and distributes volleyball events worldwide, including the popular AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour. While promoting family-oriented events and supporting a healthy lifestyle, the AVP is best known for its world-class athletes, who have won numerous Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in the Olympic games. The AVP headquarters are in Costa Mesa, Calif.
About Hudson River Park Trust
Hudson River Park, the longest waterfront park in the United States, has transformed four miles of decaying piers and parking lots along Manhattan’s West Side into a beloved, urban recreational paradise. Attracting 17 million visits each year, the Park offers a myriad of recreational and educational activities for local residents and visitors alike, and plays a critical role in protecting the Hudson River environment itself. In its brief history, Hudson River Park has also served as an important catalyst for economic development and job creation. Over the past decade, it has attracted $3 billion in new construction at 94 new buildings in adjacent neighborhoods. The inspiration for numerous waterfront parks, city- and nation-wide, Hudson River Park represents the next great era in the history of urban parks — the birth of the waterfront park. The Hudson River Park Trust was created by State legislation to serve as a unique city-state entity overseeing the design, construction and operation of Park. The Trust does not receive any public operating monies, relying instead on income generated within the Park as well as private support for 100% of its annual operating budget. Today, people visit Hudson River Park to cycle the busiest bikeway in America, to sunbathe on green beaches, and to connect with the river. More than 135,000 people enjoyed free concerts, movies and dances here last summer. Over 400,000 people of all ages play on the Park’s beloved athletic fields and courts. And 7,500 children participate in free educational programming each year.