Dubai has been confirmed as the host destination of a new international beach volleyball competition, the Beach World Series, to be played for the first time in November this year.
The announcement was made by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) as part of a five-year strategic partnership with the Dubai Sports Council, underlining Dubai’s growing role as a long-term home for major international sporting properties.
Under the partnership, Dubai will host the opening event of the new international, 10-event Series, which will seek to combine elite-level competition with destination-led experiences that reflect the culture and identity of each host city.
Speaking at the announcement, H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council and President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, said the decision reflects increasing international confidence in Dubai’s ability to deliver and sustain world-class sporting events.
He 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 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.”
The agreement between Dubai and the Beach World Series was unveiled during the World Sports Summit, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations. 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 Council.
The agreement was formally signed by Guido Betti, Chief Business Officer of Volleyball World, and Eisa Sharif, Director of the Sports Events Department at the Dubai Sports Council.
The partnership aims to elevate beach volleyball’s global profile by combining high-performance sport with immersive beach environments that incorporate music, fan interaction and lifestyle elements alongside competition.
Belhoul described the series as an opportunity for cities to express their identity through sport, positioning beach volleyball as both an elite competition and a cultural experience for athletes, residents and international visitors.
Dubai’s established reputation in tourism, entertainment and major sports events made it a natural founding destination for the new series, with the Emirate said to align closely with the ambition and long-term vision of the Beach World Series.
Additional host cities are expected to be announced in the coming months as the global calendar for the new competition takes shape.
