Manhattan Beach, CA – The AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) Tour returns to Manhattan Beach as the best professional beach volleyball players in the world compete for $200,000 in prize money at the AVP Manhattan Beach Open presented by Acer. Beach volleyball’s longest-enduring tradition, the Manhattan Beach Open was first played in 1960, and each year the tournament’s winners have their names permanently etched in bronze on the Manhattan Beach Pier.
AVP Tour players compete for $200,000 purse at the AVP Manhattan Beach Open presented by Acer this weekend (Image courtesy of Brener Zwikel & Associates).
Fans attending the smart Manhattan Beach Open will be treated to four days of world-class beach volleyball competition featuring Olympic champions and world-renowned athletes competing in an unmatched high-energy atmosphere filled with, music, 12-plus courts featuring beach volleyball and interactive activities. The tournament’s main draw will feature an expanded field of 32 two-player men’s teams and 32 two-player women’s teams equaling the largest field of teams on Tour.
With an open qualifying tournament on Thursday, August 13 and main-draw play Friday, August 14-Sunday, August 16, stars like Olympic gold medalists Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers, silver medalist April Ross and Olympians Sean Rosenthal, Jake Gibb and Nicole Branagh will serve, set and spike in the famously deep Manhattan Beach sand. General admission is free. VIP ticket options are available at www.avp.com. Below is the tournament week schedule:
Thursday, Aug. 13 – Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015
· Thursday – Open qualifying tournament from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Manhattan Beach Open Walk of Fame Pier Ceremony on the Manhattan Beach Pier with 2014 champions Kerri Walsh Jennings, April Ross, Phil Dalhausser and Sean Rosenthal from 3-4 p.m.
· Friday – Main-draw play for AVP pros from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
City of Manhattan Beach Movie Night, featuring “Frozen,” from 6-8 p.m.
· Saturday – Continuation of main-draw play for AVP pros from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Manhattan Beach Open Kids’ clinic from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
· Sunday – Men’s and women’s semifinals from 9:30-10:30 a.m.; Men’s and women’s finals from 1:30-4 p.m.
Manhattan Beach Open Legends men’s match from 12-1 p.m.