The venue is set in Hangzhou's central business district. [Photo/YMCC]

The 2026 Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures Xiaoshan opened on June 25, bringing world-class beach volleyball to the heart of Hangzhou with a temporary sand court set against the city's iconic skyline.

Held on an outdoor platform at the Hangzhou International Expo Center, the venue offers views of the Hangzhou Arch and the nearby Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center, creating a striking urban backdrop for the tournament. A total of 54 teams from 19 countries and regions, including China, Germany, Latvia, and Australia, competed over four days.

To build the competition venue, organizers transported 1,100 metric tons of specially processed sand that meets international standards for beach volleyball. In addition to the main court, a warm-up court was constructed, allowing spectators to watch players train at close range.

The beach pro tour was held in Hangzhou for the first time, after three consecutive editions in Xiangshan county, Ningbo, a neighboring city of Hangzhou. As the tournament awards ranking points toward Olympic qualification, every match carries added significance.

Two teams compete in a match. [Photo/YMCC]