This weekend, Aug 26-28, kicks off the Manhattan Beach Open. The largest and most famous of all the beach volleyball tournaments which features 64 pro teams per gender, including top Olympic teams.
Often called the Masters or Wimbledon of beach volleyball. The players call it the holy grail due to its top prize money, massive media presence, and, most importantly, each winner gets enshrined in the “Volleyball Walk of Fame.”
This memorial features bronze statues that span the length of the Manhattan Beach Pier. It is definitely the “one tournament that all players want to play in”.
Schedule
- Friday, Aug. 26, 8am – 7pm (16 courts)
- Saturday, Aug. 27, 8:30am – 7:15pm (16 courts)
- Sunday, Aug. 28, 9:15am – 5:30pm (4 courts)
- Women’s final at 2:15pm
- Men’s final (televised live on Versus) at 4pm
The total prize money is $200,000 and the event has a rich history dating all the way back to 1960. “The Manhattan Open was the precursor to everything that has developed in beach volleyball including the Olympics.”
This year, the 51st one, features a three-day, double-elimination tournament. Admission is free and the location is the south side of the Manhattan Beach Pier.
Just to get you excited, check out this trailer for the classic beach volleyball movie featuring C. Thomas Howell –
