GULF SHORES — For one more time, Alabama’s beaches will be transformed for the NCAA Beach Volleyball National Championship next weekend before a two-year stint in California.

The best collegiate volleyball teams have been crowned in south Baldwin County since 2012 thanks to Gulf Shores | Orange Beach Sports & Events (known as the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission at the time). The American Volleyball Coaches Association’s Sand Volleyball National Championships, with the support of the Gulf Coast Region of USA Volleyball, originally brought the tournament 12 years ago.

When the NCAA officially sanctioned beach volleyball for championship play in 2016, Alabama’s beaches were once again the desired location and thus became the inaugural home of the NCAA Beach Volleyball National Championship.

This year serves as the final year of GSOBSE’s bid to host the dynamic, built-from-the-sand-up championship event before Huntington Beach, California hosts the 2025 and 2026 championships. The NCAA has yet to announce championship host locations beyond 2026.

While the sports tourism office has confirmed a submitted proposal to host future championships, the organization remains grateful for its part in growing the sport and building a championship alongside the NCAA nonetheless.

“It has been a distinct honor to play a major role in growing the sport of beach volleyball by creating a dynamic and downright fun championship alongside the NCAA,” said Michelle Russ, vice president of sales, sports and events for GSOB Sports & Events. “We highly encourage locals to come out and support this championship to experience this energetic event first-hand — all on the beach.”

The NCAA had echoed its enthusiasm to return to the Alabama Gulf Coast.

“We are so excited for the NCAA National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship to be returning to beautiful Gulf Shores for another year,” said Kristin Fasbender, director of championships and alliances for the NCAA. “For so many years, Alabama’s beaches have provided a perfect home to showcase this amazing championship and have welcomed student-athletes, fans and staff so warmly. It’s going to be an action-packed three days of competition and we look forward to seeing everyone out on the sand.”

After an expanded bracket was approved for last year’s tournament, the top 17 teams will converge on Gulf Shores once again to compete in the single-elimination championship weekend. The Opening Round play-in dual is set to kick off action on Friday, May 3, before the champions are crowned on Sunday, May 5.

This Sunday, April 28, will be Selection Sunday where the official bracket will be revealed on ncaa.com starting at 10 a.m.

Next to the NCAA site, more than 375 junior beach volleyball teams will compete in the 2024 Gulf Coast Region “BeachFest” National Beach Tour Qualifier (USA Volleyball) — one of the largest junior qualifiers in the country. This impressive group of rising stars will vie for their shot at the USA Volleyball Beach National Championship.

All championship weekend duals will air live on the ESPN family of networks, with the championship dual scheduled to air live on the flagship ESPN at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 5. Tickets can be purchased at albeaches.co/NCAABVBTickets24.