Beach Volleyball World Championships 2027 in the Netherlands: Next Showcase on the World Stage

“Perhaps even more beautiful than the Olympic Games”

The 2027 Beach Volleyball World Championships, to be hosted in the Dutch cities of The Hague, Amsterdam, Apeldoorn and Rotterdam, are set to become the sport’s next major showcase on the world stage. “Playing a World Championship in your own country may be even more special than the Olympic Games,” says Dutch top player Yorick de Groot, who is already eagerly looking ahead to the event.

The Netherlands will host the Beach Volleyball World Championships for the second time in history. Just like in 2015, matches will be played at highly iconic inner-city locations in The Hague, Amsterdam, Apeldoorn and Rotterdam. Today, the plans for the tournament were officially presented in The Hague, in the presence of, among others, Fabio Azevedo, President of the international volleyball federation FIVB.

The dates of the championships have also been confirmed. The tournament will take place from Friday 13 August through Sunday 22 August 2027.

Showcase of the sport

“In 2015 we proved that we can put beach volleyball in the global spotlight with a fantastic event, and with the plans now on the table I am convinced we will do so again in 2027,” says Michel Everaert, Director of Sport at the Dutch Volleyball Federation (Nevobo). Together with TIG Sports & Events, Nevobo is responsible for the organisation, with the four host cities and the Province of Gelderland playing a major role in delivering the event’s societal impact.

“The fact that the FIVB has once again chosen the Netherlands is largely due to their confidence in our ability to organise the next showcase of beach volleyball, following the success and ‘wow factor’ of the Olympic tournaments in Rio de Janeiro and Paris. In addition to showing the world how beautiful beach volleyball is, we want to link strong social value to such a major sporting event at home. This is a unique opportunity to connect many different target groups and to promote sport and physical activity. The World Championships will be a celebration for everyone.”

Dream: a World Championship at home

“Playing a World Championship in your own country is a dream come true,” says Yorick de Groot, one of the Dutch top players who hopes to shine in front of a home crowd in 2027. “You know the stands will be full, and that almost everyone will be cheering for you. Being able to play in front of your friends and family makes the experience incredibly special for us as Dutch athletes. You don’t find that anywhere else. Of course, the Olympic tournament under the Eiffel Tower in Paris was also amazing, but you don’t get the same level of public support there as we expect here. World Championships and Olympic Games are by far the biggest tournaments in our sport.”

An unforgettable sporting celebration

In each city, group matches and knockout rounds will be played in temporary pop-up stadiums. The semi-finals and finals will take place in The Hague.

“The Beach Volleyball World Championships in The Hague represent sport at its very best,” says Hilbert Bredemeijer, Alderman for Sport in The Hague. “After the legendary 2015 World Championships at the Hofvijver, this fantastic event will return to our city twelve years later. And one thing is certain: together we will surpass that edition. With the same strong partners, renewed 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. It underlines The Hague’s international profile as a city of sport. We cannot wait to welcome the world’s best in 2027 and to experience an unforgettable sporting celebration together with the city.”

Iconic locations

In 2015, images of packed stadiums at iconic locations travelled around the world. That tournament attracted 110,000 visitors. “We are confident that we will surpass the 2015 World Championships in every aspect,” says Willem Overdiep, Managing Partner at TIG Sports & Events.

“In Rotterdam, the newly developed Rijnhaven, with its city park and urban beach, will form the heart of a major volleyball celebration. In Apeldoorn, the Market Square will serve as the central venue. In Amsterdam, we are working closely with the municipality to make hosting the World Championships at Museumplein possible. In The Hague, we are exploring the possibility of once again building the stadium at the Hofvijver. We hope to receive the green light as soon as possible.”

Apeldoorn

Enthusiasm among the partner cities is already high.

Nick Derks, Alderman for Elite Sport in Apeldoorn: “Apeldoorn has been hosting international top-level sporting events for many years and, as the volleyball capital of the Netherlands, knows exactly what it takes to make the 2027 Beach Volleyball World Championships a success. With this World Championship, we build on recent experiences and successes such as the Women’s Volleyball World Championship in 2022 and the European Beach Volleyball Championship in 2024. Once again, we are delivering an event at the very highest level. This World Championship is not only for the international elite, but for all residents of Apeldoorn to experience and enjoy.”

Gelderland

Helga Witjes, Deputy Governor of the Province of Gelderland: “Together with the municipality of Apeldoorn, we are very much looking forward to welcoming another large-scale volleyball event to Gelderland. The Women’s Volleyball World Championship in 2022 and the European Beach Volleyball Championship in 2024 showed us that a major international sporting event is about much more than elite athletic performance alone. It truly brings people together and creates joy. Through an extensive programme of activities, this World Championship will once again get our residents moving in the lead-up to the event. In this way, a top-level sporting event strengthens grassroots sport across Gelderland.”

Rotterdam

Faouzi Achbar, Alderman in Rotterdam: “I am very much looking forward to welcoming the World Championship matches to Rotterdam in 2027. Just like the 2015 edition, we have chosen an iconic location that demonstrates how sport and an urban environment can reinforce one another: the new park in the Rijnhaven, with the high-rise skyline of the Wilhelminapier as a stunning backdrop. What makes this World Championship extra special for me is its strong social component. Through Nevobo’s volleyball projects in the neighbourhoods of Feijenoord and Delfshaven, we use elite sport as a driver for talent development, social connection and equal opportunities for young people – with special attention for girls. In this way, the impact of the event begins well before 2027, helping us build a city in which everyone can take part.”

Amsterdam

Sofyan Mbarki, Alderman for Sport & Physical Activity in Amsterdam: “After the successful World Championships in 2015, with matches at iconic locations such as Dam Square, we are proud that Amsterdam will once again be a host city and welcome the world’s best beach volleyball players. Beach volleyball is the ultimate summer sport and invites people to get active together. The top athletes coming to our city inspire Amsterdammers to play volleyball together in parks and on urban beaches – or perhaps even to join a local volleyball club.”