The Countdown Begins: AVP 2026
Get ready to have your socks blown off: AVP's 2026 season is locked and loaded, with eight teams, thirty-two athletes, and nine cities ready to explode onto the beach volleyball scene. This isn’t just another season, this is a showdown of gladiators in the sand. The AVP League is bringing its A-game with the best elite pro beach players battling it out in the most iconic venues across the United States.
Rewind to the Past, Prepare for the Future
Remember when Denaburg and Donlin stormed through three straight matches last season to claim their championship title? Well, buckle up because they're back and ready to defend their throne. Donlin, the 2023 Manhattan Beach Open Champion, has traded indoor courts for sandy shores after concussions at UNC led her to dominate at USC. This duo is a nightmare for opponents with their split-blocking system that leaves rivals guessing and gasping.
On the men's side, Webber and Smith reached the 2025 AVP League Championship, only to fall short. But this year, they're back with a vengeance. Webber's partner, Smith, isn't just any player, he’s the son of Volleyball Hall of Fame legend Sinjin Smith. With bloodlines like that, you know they’re bringing something special to the court.
New Faces, Old Venues
The 2024 AVP League Champions return with a twist: a new women’s pairing. Last year’s winners, Urango, Budinger, and Evans, set the bar high, and they’re back, hungry to reclaim their spot at the top. But they’ll have to navigate through new faces and strategies as the league expands its reach with the AVP Heritage Tournament Series, returning to legendary spots in Manhattan Beach and Huntington Beach, California. Plus, there’s a new major in the mix: Belmar, New Jersey.
