What Is 2017 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour was the 22nd annual international beach volleyball circuit organized by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), featuring 31 official events across 18 countries from February to October 2017.

Key Facts

The 2017 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour included 31 official events in 18 countries
Events spanned from February 14 in The Hague to October 8 in The Hague for the Finals
Over 1,200 athletes from more than 60 nations competed throughout the season
Praia de Pajuçara in Maceió, Brazil hosted a 5-star event in August 2017
The season concluded with the 2017 World Tour Finals in The Hague, Netherlands

Overview

The 2017 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour marked the 22nd edition of the premier global circuit for elite beach volleyball, showcasing top international teams competing for ranking points and prize money. Organized by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), the tour spanned nearly eight months across five continents, highlighting the sport’s growing global reach.

With events categorized by star ratings—ranging from 1-star to the elite 5-star level—the tour offered competitive opportunities for both emerging and established athletes. The season culminated in the 2017 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Finals, where only the top-performing teams qualified based on accumulated points.

31 official events were held across 18 countries, including Brazil, China, and the Netherlands, reflecting the sport’s international appeal.
The tour began on February 14, 2017, with a 3-star event in The Hague, Netherlands, setting the stage for a competitive season.
Men’s and women’s divisions competed separately, with each event awarding FIVB ranking points based on final standings.
Top-tier 5-star events offered the highest prize money and points, attracting the world’s best duos like Alison/Bruno and Laura Ludwig/Kira Walkenhorst.
Over 1,200 athletes from more than 60 national federations participated, emphasizing the tour’s inclusivity and global footprint.

How It Works

The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour operates as a season-long competition where teams earn points based on performance across various event tiers. These points determine qualification for the season-ending Finals and influence global rankings used in Olympic qualification cycles.

Event Categories: Tournaments are rated 1 to 5 stars; 5-star events offer the most points and prize money, such as the Maceió and Gstaad stops.
Scoring System: Teams earn points based on final placement, with champions receiving 800 points at 5-star events.
Team Registration: National federations enter teams, with a maximum of four pairs per country allowed in 5-star events under FIVB rules.
Prize Money: Total prize purse varied by event, with 5-star tournaments offering up to $300,000 split between men’s and women’s divisions.
Ranking Points: Points from a team’s best 12 results counted toward their annual ranking, influencing Olympic qualification.
Finals Qualification: Only the top 8 teams in the final standings qualified for the 2017 World Tour Finals in The Hague.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key 5-star events during the 2017 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour season:

Event	Location	Date	Prize Money	Points (Champion)
Gstaad Major	Gstaad, Switzerland	July 11–16, 2017	$800,000	800
Pontal Beach Pro	São Paulo, Brazil	August 1–6, 2017	$300,000	800
Maceió Open	Maceió, Brazil	August 8–13, 2017	$300,000	800
Vienna Major	Vienna, Austria	July 18–23, 2017	$800,000	800
World Tour Finals	The Hague, Netherlands	October 4–8, 2017	$800,000	1,000

These 5-star events were pivotal in shaping the season’s rankings, with Gstaad and Vienna hosting Major tournaments that drew the strongest fields. The World Tour Finals awarded bonus points, giving champions 1,000 points to incentivize peak performance at season’s end.

Why It Matters

The 2017 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour played a crucial role in athlete development, Olympic qualification, and the sport’s commercial growth. By offering a structured, global competition platform, it elevated visibility for beach volleyball and supported the FIVB’s mission of expanding the game worldwide.

Olympic pathway: The tour contributed to 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualification, with rankings influencing national team entries.
Gender equity: Equal prize money and event access for men’s and women’s teams reinforced FIVB’s commitment to fairness.
Global exposure: Broadcasts in over 120 countries increased fan engagement and sponsorship opportunities.
Athlete income: Top teams earned significant prize money, with some pairs making over $100,000 in a single season.
Development pipeline: Lower-tier events allowed emerging nations to compete, fostering long-term talent growth.
Event legacy: Host cities like Maceió and Vienna leveraged tournaments for tourism and infrastructure development.

With its blend of elite competition and global inclusivity, the 2017 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour underscored the sport’s dynamic evolution and its significance within the Olympic ecosystem.