Women’s Pairs Championship | Qualifiers | Men’s Team Championships | Press Release
The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) is excited to announce that Huntsville, Alabama, will once again serve as the host city for the AVCA Beach National Championships in 2026. This year’s event will showcase a women’s pairs national championship alongside a men’s team national championship. The women’s field will feature 64 pairs representing collegiate beach programs from across the nation, while the men’s competition will welcome four collegiate programs to Huntsville as they compete for the collegiate men’s beach team national title.
Event Information
Women’s Pairs Championship: November 6-8, 2026
Men’s Team Championship: November 7-8, 2026
Host City
City: Huntsville, Alabama
Venue: The John Hunt Park Sand Volleyball Complex
Address: 2305 Airport Rd SW, Huntsville, AL 35801
Airport: Huntsville International Airport
Where to Stay: HSC Preferred Hotels
The Facility
The beach volleyball complex is a 428-acre site in the heart of the city located at John Hunt Park, 2295 Airport Road SW, Huntsville. This beautiful state of the art 15-court facility was built in 2019 with a focus on athlete safety and experience as a main focus. That key attribute was combined with an eye toward amenities that lends itself to premier beach volleyball competitions.
Weather & Travel
The last month of autumn, November, is a mild month in Huntsville, Alabama, with average temperature ranging between 62°F and 46°F. If the event does face inclement weather, we have the flexibility to quickly and easily adjust by utilizing additional courts or playing in the evening under LED lights.
Traveling by plane?
Huntsville International Airport has nonstop service to ten U.S. destinations and services nearly 1.2 million passengers annually. Huntsville International Airport even offers a free ticket agent service – Huntsville Hot Tickets – to help travelers find the lowest fares possible.
Traveling by car?
Huntsville is a two hour drive south of Nashville, three and a half hours from Memphis and Atlanta and an hour and a half north of Birmingham. Need info on car rentals or other transportation info while you’re in town? We’ve got you covered.
Women’s Pairs Championship | November 6-8, 2026
The 2026 AVCA Collegiate Beach Pairs National Championship continues to elevate the collegiate beach volleyball landscape, uniting the nation’s top athletes for a premier fall-season competition in Huntsville, Alabama. In collaboration with Rally Volleyball, the City of Huntsville, and the Huntsville Sports Commission, the championship builds on the momentum and growth established since the inaugural event in 2022.
For 2026, 64 pairs representing NCAA Division I and II programs from across the country will compete in a full bracket format played to place, culminating in the crowning of the 2026 national champion. Bids are awarded based on results from the 2026 spring season, ensuring that the field reflects the highest-performing athletes in collegiate beach volleyball.
The women’s pairs championship will once again be held alongside the Men’s Collegiate Beach Team National Championship, creating an energetic, inclusive environment that celebrates the continued expansion of beach volleyball across both genders.
This event is made possible by NCAA legislation enacted in May 2022 that permits multi-day fall competitions in women’s beach volleyball during the non-championship segment. With nearly 100 NCAA institutions sponsoring the sport and more than 1,000 athletes training year-round, the 2026 championship delivers a competitive experience that aligns with the structure and excitement of other collegiate championships.
Qualifiers
The journey to the 2026 AVCA Collegiate Beach National Championships builds through a series of high‑energy qualifying events held across the country. These competitions highlight the nation’s top collegiate beach volleyball talent and determine which teams and pairs earn their place on the national stage. Whether you’re a fan, athlete, or coach, each event offers an opportunity to experience the excitement firsthand and witness the rising stars of collegiate beach volleyball.
Men’s Team Championships | November 7-8, 2026
Held alongside the AVCA Women’s Pairs National Championship, the 2026 Men’s Collegiate Beach Team National Championship will feature four elite collegiate programs competing in a dual-format competition over two days in Huntsville, Alabama. The event continues to showcase the rapid growth of men’s collegiate beach volleyball, providing a high‑level competitive platform for emerging programs to display their talent on a national stage.
Thank you to Baden for their support of the AVCA Fall Collegiate Beach Championships.
Special thanks to event partners Huntsville Sports Commission, the City of Huntsville, and Rally Volleyball.
