Since the mid-1950’s, twoon- two beach volleyball has been as much as a part of the Huntington Beach scene as surfing and sunbathing.
It is a popular belief that beach volleyball originated in Santa Monica in the 1930s, however, other references report it actually started on the beaches of Waikiki shortly after the turn of the 20th century.
By 1990, Beach Volleyball had become a global sport with professional competitions, tours, Olympic inclusion and its own Hall of Fame. Today, Santa Monica, Manhattan and Huntington Beach stand out as the key U. S. locations for the sport with Huntington Beach hosting the annual and prestigious AVP (Assoc. of Volleyball Professionals) games.
The AVP Huntington Beach Open is a premier professional beach volleyball tournament and Huntington Beach is one of the first stops of the 2026 season. The competition features a 16-team main draw and a 48-team qualifier. It is known to draw top tal-ent to Surf City, with some past notables being Kerri Walsh Jennings, Misty May-Treanor and Brittany Hochevar. Since 2000, Huntington Beach has hosted more AVP Events than other location in the US.
Based on past years, the anticipated crowd size is 10,000 to 15,000 athletes and fans. Molly Uemura, the city of Huntington Beach’s events manager, said an event of this size requires significant logistical planning. A big part of her job is managing building permits for spectator stands and coordinating with police and fire officials to ensure safety and security are in place. She also noted this is one of her favorite annual events because it is a free, family-oriented experience that offers fans an opportunity to engage with players during practice times.
Andrew Young, senior director of operations for AVP, is responsible for setup and teardown for the event, with the assistance of a third-party production company. That company, with an eight- to nine-member team, is responsible for setting up the stands, auxiliary structures and preparing the courts. Jonathon Meyer, a production crew member, has worked the event for several years. He or another team member will likely operate a skid steer, the heavy equipment used to ensure the courts are smooth, level and ready for the May 15 opening day.
This year’s event is scheduled for May 15-17 at the pier. It features stadium seating and a high-spirited crowd atmosphere. General admission is free and allows for autographs and photos with players. The event includes shaded areas, food and alcohol, and has no minimum age requirement.