Netherlands volleyball community commit to hosting unforgettable celebration at FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships 2027

January 30, 2026.- 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.

The concept for the 2027 World Championships was presented by Michel Everaert, Nevobo Director of Sport; Willem Overdiep, Managing Partner of TIG Sports & Events; and Leanne Kraak-Schmidt, Event Manager at Nevobo. They shared visuals of the four host cities and venues, key tournament dates and competition format, and the championship’s core objectives, emphasising sustainability, inclusivity and celebration.

Athletes Yorick de Groot, Alexander Brouwer, Raisa Schoon and Katja Stam offered their perspective on competing at a home World Championship, reflecting on the memorable 2015 edition and expressing their excitement for the period ahead for beach volleyball, including both the 2027 World Championships and future Olympic Games.

De Groot stated; “Playing a World Championship in your own country may be even more beautiful than the Olympic Games!”

The event concluded with an interactive panel, reinforcing the shared commitment of FIVB, Volleyball World, Dutch volleyball authorities, host cities and Global Volleyball Movement to make the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship 2027 an unforgettable experience for all.