As the NCAA volleyball season inches closer to its grand finale, with the Sweet 16 kicking off on December 12, fans are gearing up for an epic showdown. Sixteen teams are ready to dig, spike, and battle their way to claim the ultimate NCAA volleyball championship crown. But just as this indoor chapter winds down, volleyball enthusiasts are already setting their sights on sunnier days ahead. Because, let’s be real when summer rolls in, it can only mean one thing for fans—beach volleyball season is on the horizon!

This time, the sandy spotlight shifts to Huntington Beach, marking a fresh start for the 2025-26 NCAA Beach Volleyball season in May while last year, the action unfolded on the soft shores of Gulf Shores, Alabama. But here’s the kicker—this new locale has raised a few eyebrows. The sand at Huntington Beach? Let’s just say it’s deeper, grittier, and a bit more of a leg workout, making those gravity-defying jumps a real challenge. With all this in play, the NCAA made waves with a major beach volleyball announcement that not only stirred up the upcoming season but also reshuffled schedules all the way to 2031.

On December 9, NCAA Women’s Volleyball took to X to drop some exciting beach vibes, sharing, “The NCAA has announced that the NC Beach Volleyball Championship will have a five-year agreement to return to Gulf Shores, Alabama, from 2027 to 2031.” While indoor volleyball continues its whirlwind tour across various locations, it seems beach volleyball has found its forever sandy haven!

The National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship is officially locking in Gulf Shores, Alabama, as its sunny stomping ground for a five-year stretch. And it’s not just about the location—it’s about leveling up the whole experience. Picture this: upgraded spectator stadium seating, luxurious hospitality spaces, and enhanced TV compound support to keep those epic rallies in a crystal-clear view. Plus, Alabama’s Beaches Sports & Events is pulling out all the stops, boosting marketing resources, and giving student-athletes an experience they’ll cherish forever.

Beth Gendler, president, and CEO of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism, couldn’t contain her excitement, saying, “We were thrilled to have the opportunity to welcome the National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship back in 2027 and 2028, but we are humbly honored to have the bid extended through 2031. We hope to become the permanent home for this impactful championship.” She even went on to gush about the partnership, calling the NCAA championship team more than just colleagues—they’re family. And you bet they’re ready to ‘roll out the white-sand carpet’ once again.

Gulf Shores, the OG host of the first eight National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championships since 2016, has been smashing attendance records year after year. Even before the sport snagged its NCAA championship status, this tight-knit beach town was hosting the American Volleyball Coaches Association and championships. Now, Gulf Shores is on a mission to make its mark as the ultimate, permanent home for this spectacular championship. Sand, spikes, and unforgettable sunsets—what’s not to love? So what makes this location a special one for beach volleyball?

Beach Volleyball loves the Gulf Shores!

Beach volleyball is making its way back to its sandy roots as the NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship heads to Gulf Shores, Alabama, in 2027 and 2028. After a brief adventure in Huntington Beach, California, for the next two seasons, the championship is coming home to the place where it all began. Gulf Shores isn’t just another host; it’s practically the soul of the tournament, having been the stage for this epic showdown since its debut in 2016. By the time the 2028 event wraps, Gulf Shores will have hosted the championship an impressive 13 times. That’s not just history—that’s tradition wrapped in sunshine and white sands!

What makes Gulf Shores such a fan favorite? Well, for starters, it has the kind of beaches that can only exist in postcards, to be more precise–perfect. Imagine the finest white sands stretching as far as the eye can see, paired with the sparkling Gulf of Mexico as the ultimate backdrop. It’s like beach volleyball’s paradise, where every bump, set, and spike looks straight out of a highlight reel. Combine all that with the friendly atmosphere of the locals who embrace this championship as if they were waiting for a long-lost family member and you have a net as familiar as the one in one’s own home. Whether it is a local restaurant going all out for the players or Gulf Shores Tourism coming through with resources to fund new improvements, this town knows how to squeeze every second of fun out of life for players, fans, and everyone in between.

However, it is not just the beautiful views and lovely people of the South that visitors will get at Gulf Shores; they will get the whole experience. For years, the city has provided quality facilities, including seating areas for spectators, and good playing surfaces. The championship also pays big time, contributing more than $1 million in economic revenue, and marking the beginning of summer tourism along Alabama’s gulf shore. In terms of energy, breathtaking location, and past achievements in terms of attendance, Gulf Shores is not only hosting the championship but also defining what it means to create beach volleyball wizardry.