As preparations ramp up for the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships 2027, the Netherlands signalled its ambition to deliver an unforgettable beach volleyball celebration, convening the Dutch volleyball community at a special kick-off event in The Hague this week. The event brought together stakeholders from all four host cities - The Hague, Amsterdam, Apeldoorn and Rotterdam - as well as the Province of Gelderland, to celebrate the planning for the tournament, scheduled for 13 - 22 August 2027.
The event opened with remarks from tournament directors and former volleyball players Bas van de Goor and Marloes Wesselink, followed by a greeting from Hilbert Bredemeijer, Alderman for Sport in The Hague.
Bredemeijer remarked; “After the legendary 2015 World Championships at the Hofvijver, this fantastic event will return to our city after twelve years. And one thing is certain: together we will surpass that edition. With the same strong partners, new energy and matches at iconic locations in the city, we will show what The Hague stands for. It connects, inspires and demonstrates what sport can mean for a city and its residents.”
Nick Derks, Alderman for Elite Sports in Apeldoorn; Helga Witjes, Deputy of the Province of Gelderland; Faouzi Achbar, Alderman in Rotterdam; and Sofyan Mbarki, Alderman for Sport and Physical Activity in Amsterdam, also expressed their strong enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament. They emphasised their shared commitment to embedding the World Championships within their communities - engaging residents in the lead-up to the event, activating the cities throughout the competition, and delivering a meaningful and lasting legacy that will extend well beyond 2027.
The Championship will feature 48 women’s teams and 48 men’s teams, with at least five participating countries from each continent. A total of 216 matches will be played over ten days, promising an action-packed schedule.
Dutch Volleyball Association (Nevobo) President and FIVB Game Technology and Innovation Commission President Peter Sprenger reflected on the Netherlands’ extensive experience hosting major international volleyball events since 2015, and the shared the ambition to deliver another world-class championship.
FIVB President Fabio Azevedo and Volleyball World CEO Ugo Valensi also addressed the audience, highlighting the current goals for the Global Volleyball Movement as outlined in the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, the success of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships Adelaide 2025 and the sport’s growing global reach. They underlined the momentum following the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the strong commercial growth of Volleyball World events, and recent digital successes including record-breaking reach on VBTV and social media platforms.
