What Is 2018 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour

Overview

The 2018 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour represented the 33rd season of elite professional beach volleyball competition in the United States. Organized by the Association of Volleyball Professionals, the tour featured a full slate of 14 tournaments across major coastal and inland cities, drawing top American and international teams.

Running from May through September, the season culminated in the AVP Championships in Chicago. The tour played a critical role in developing U.S. talent ahead of international competitions, including FIVB World Tour events and Olympic qualifying cycles.

• 14 tournaments were held across the 2018 season, starting in Huntington Beach, California, in May and ending in Chicago in September.
• The total prize purse for the season was $1.2 million, with individual event purses ranging from $75,000 to $150,000.
• Kerri Walsh Jennings, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, partnered with Brooke Sweat and won the Chicago Championships, one of the season’s marquee events.
• AVP expanded its national exposure through a broadcasting partnership with CBS Sports Network, which televised 10 events live.
• The tour included stops in cities like Atlanta, New Orleans, and Seattle, broadening beach volleyball’s reach beyond traditional coastal hubs.

How It Works

The AVP Pro Tour operates on a seasonal circuit format, with teams earning points and prize money based on their finishes in each tournament. The structure supports both individual event success and year-end rankings.

• Qualifying Rounds: Each tournament begins with preliminary rounds where lower-ranked or unseeded teams compete for main draw spots. These rounds typically occur the day before the main event.
• Main Draw Format: The top 24 teams in each gender division enter the main draw, competing in pools followed by double-elimination or single-elimination brackets depending on event size.
• Scoring System: Matches are played best-of-three sets, with the first two sets to 21 points and the third (if needed) to 15, requiring a two-point margin to win.
• Prize Distribution: Each tournament awards prize money, with first-place teams earning up to $12,000 in larger events and lower-tier payouts down to 9th place.
• Ranking Points: Players earn AVP ranking points based on final placement, which determine seeding and qualification for future events and the year-end championships.
• Team Pairings: While most teams are fixed, players can change partners between events, though consistency helps build chemistry and ranking stability.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 2018 AVP Tour with other major beach volleyball circuits highlights its domestic focus and competitive structure.

The AVP Tour offers a more concentrated season than the global FIVB circuit but provides crucial high-level competition for U.S. athletes. While prize money is lower than top international events, the AVP’s domestic reach and media exposure help grow the sport locally.

Why It Matters

The 2018 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour played a vital role in maintaining the visibility and competitiveness of American beach volleyball on the world stage. It provided a structured, professional platform for athletes to earn income, gain ranking points, and prepare for international events.

• The tour helped develop Olympic-caliber talent, with several 2018 participants later competing in the 2020 Tokyo Games.
• Through CBS Sports Network broadcasts, the AVP reached millions of households, increasing fan engagement and sponsorship interest.
• Hosting events in non-traditional beach markets like Chicago and Atlanta expanded the sport’s geographic footprint.
• Women’s teams, including Walsh Jennings and Sweat, received equal prize money and media coverage, supporting gender equity in sports.
• The AVP’s partnership model with title sponsor Baden Sports ensured financial stability and consistent event quality.
• Grassroots outreach programs tied to tour stops helped inspire youth participation in beach volleyball nationwide.

By combining elite competition with strategic growth initiatives, the 2018 AVP Tour reinforced the sport’s foundation in the U.S. and set a benchmark for future seasons.