The AVCA is looking forward to a big week in Gulf Shores, AL, at its 2026 AVCA Small College Beach Championships. The eighth edition of the Championships, which takes place Friday to Sunday, April 17–19, brings together top beach teams from NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and the NAIA.

In all, 37 teams will compete in more than 500 total matches, making the Championships the largest collegiate beach volleyball event in the United States. Team champions will be crowned in each of the three divisions, and there also is a Pairs Challenge.

“We are very excited to be bringing the AVCA Small College Beach Championships back to Gulf Shores after a great debut last year,” said Dr. Jaime Gordon, AVCA CEO. “The Gulf Shores community knows how to host marquee beach volleyball events, and this week’s Championship will offer a great experience for the more than 600 collegiate beach players taking part.”

The schedule includes three days of team competition and a one-day pairs challenge. The links take you to the divisional schedules and lists of the competing teams.

  >>Overall schedule
  >>Division II (Friday-Sunday), 19 teams
  >>Division III (Friday-Saturday), 9 teams
  >>NAIA (Friday-Saturday), 9 teams
  >>Pairs Challenge (Friday), 40 pairs

The AVCA would like to thank its valued partners—Baden, The Hangout, Alabama’s Beaches Sports & Events, and the City of Gulf Shores—for their support of the 2026 Small College Beach Championships.

Follow the results as the Championships progress at VolleyballLife.