AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour Kicks Off In Belmar NJ
- 10 hours ago
- 5 min read
Belmar, New Jersey, will step into the national sports spotlight as host of the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) League 2026 tour opener — marking their first‑ever professional beach volleyball event on our local beach.
The national volleyball competition takes over Belmar’s beachfront on May 30 and 31, transforming 100 Ocean Avenue into a live broadcast venue for CBS Sports and The CW. Matches begin at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.
According to AVP Event Services Assistant Alayna Hawes, Belmar quickly emerged as the ideal place to launch the eight-week 2026 tour. "Belmar stood out as a natural fit for our first AVP League stop because of its strong volleyball culture and the energy that defines the Jersey Shore," Hawes explained. "Even before arriving, it was clear how much this community values being active, being outdoors, and coming together around shared experiences. That’s exactly the kind of environment where AVP League thrives."
"For us, choosing Belmar is about bringing world‑class beach volleyball to a place that already lives and breathes the sport. We’re excited to tap into that passion, introduce something fresh, and create a weekend that feels both competitive and fun for everyone who comes out," she added.
The 2026 AVP League Teams Competing in Belmar
Four city‑based teams featuring Olympians, AVP champions, MVPs, and rising stars will compete across the two days.
New York Nitro
Toni Rodriguez, Molly Shaw, Chaim Schalk, James Shaw A lineup built around power serving and smart defense. Rodriguez is the 2024 AVP Best Server and a League Champion; Schalk is a 2016 Olympian; James Shaw ranks among the top men in aces per set; and Molly Shaw is a two‑time AVCA All‑American.
Brooklyn Blaze
Lexy Denaburg, Julia Donlin, Derek Bradford, Evan Cory
The defending 2025 League Champions return with a mix of proven winners and standout rookies. Denaburg and Donlin claimed last year’s title with three straight wins. Bradford brings height at 6'9", while Cory enters with a dominant 21–3 record from the 2025 season.
LA Launch
Maddie Anderson, Alaina Chacon, Hagen Smith, Logan Webber
Former Florida State teammates Anderson and Chacon reunite after sweeping the final qualifier as the 8‑seed. Smith — the 2025 AVP Best Server — and Webber bring size, speed, and championship‑match experience.
San Diego Smash
Megan Rice, Geena Urango, Chase Budinger, Miles Evans
The 2024 League Champions return with a refreshed women’s pairing and a veteran men’s duo. Urango is a back‑to‑back AVP MVP; Budinger and Evans are both 2024 Paris Olympians and Manhattan Beach Open champions; and Rice, the 2023 Rookie of the Year, brings proven chemistry with Urango after their 2025 NORCECA gold.
Plan Your Weekend: Tickets & Event Details
Association of Volleyball Professionals League 2026 National Tour
May 30–31, 2026
100 Ocean Avenue
Belmar, NJ 07719
Tickets are required to attend the the event and may be purchased directly from the AVP via the links below.
Pro Tip: Parking along the Belmar beachfront will be limited during the event. Borough officials urge visitors to use rideshares, bikes, and carpooling. Small bags are permitted into the venue, subject to search. Beach chairs, umbrellas, and coolers are not allowed in ticketed areas.
"What excites me most about bringing AVP League to Belmar is the chance to experience a community that already feels so connected to beach culture and volleyball," said the AVP's Hawes. "There’s a natural energy here — people who love being active, love the beach, and love coming together — and that’s the perfect backdrop for a weekend of high‑level competition. I’m looking forward to seeing how the local community embraces the event and, hopefully, building the kind of momentum that brings us back to Belmar again next season." From Belmar, the AVP League 2026 beach tour heads to Aspen, Colorado, June 6-7; to Miami, June 12-13; to Las Vegas, June 19-20; to Long Beach, California, July 11-12; to New York City Central Park, July 18-19; to East Hampton, New York, July 25-26; to Dallas, August 7-8; and to Manhattan Beach Pier, California, August 14-16, for the Heritage Major Event. The AVP League wraps up its 2026 beach volleyball season with the League Championships in Chicago, September 5-6.
Whether you’re a longtime volleyball fan or just love a great beach weekend, this is a rare chance to see elite athletes compete on our home sand — with Belmar serving as the national stage.
Planning a Trip for the AVP Beach Volleyball Weekend? Explore Belmar Like a Pro!
If you’re visiting Belmar for the AVP League weekend, this is a great time to make the most of everything our town offers beyond the beachfront. From water-view dining to marina sunsets and downtown shopping, Belmar is one of the Jersey Shore’s most walkable and picturesque beach towns — and it’s easy to plan your stay with our local guides.
Start with our Visit Belmar NJ page, where you’ll find an overview of Belmar beaches, parking, restaurants, coffee spots, and area attractions. For deeper dives, our Belmar Beachcomber Blog covers everything from seasonal events to hidden‑gem recommendations and day‑trip ideas for nearby towns.
Whether you’re here for the action-packed AVP matches or making a full weekend of it, our local guides will help you experience Belmar the way locals do — relaxed, friendly, and never far from the soothing ocean waves.
Live Like A Local: Rent A Belmar Beach House
Day trips down the shore are fun, but the best way to experience the area is to unpack your bags and stay for a week or two. If you are looking for a clean, quiet getaway for a couple, solo stay, or small family trip, our updated two-bedroom Blue Hydrangea Cottage in Belmar, New Jersey, is the perfect place to relax in serene surroundings at the Jersey Shore.
The house sleeps up to four people and is consistently rated five stars by our guests for its fantastic location, spotless upkeep, and all the thoughtful details that make for an easy beach stay. You can see photos and check our open dates on our Blue Hydrangea Cottage rental page.
RELATED: Explore our local Belmar NJ Travel Guide to plan your beach days, dining, and local events.
Story and photos © Christine Cardellino, Belmar Beachcomber Blog, and www.VacationInBelmar.com, 2017 to present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material, including photography, without express and written permission from this site’s author/owner is strictly prohibited. If you wish to use a photograph from this site, full and clear credit must be given to Belmar Beachcomber Blog with appropriate and specific links to the original content. AVP story graphic courtesy of Association of Volleyball Professionals League.
