The world’s best beach volleyball pairs will arrive at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro between September 24 and 28 to compete in the Elite 16 of the FIVB Beach Pro Tour. This is one of 400 sporting events that will be held until the end of December in the cities of Rio and Niterói, candidates to host the 2031 Pan American Games.
In the Elite Stage of the Beach Pro Tour, the highest-ranked pairs will compete for the title starting on Wednesday, September 24. Brazil will be represented by 12 pairs (seven women’s, five men’s): George/Saymon, Vinícius/Heitor, Adelmo/Mateus, Thainara/Talita Simonetti, Carol Horta/Elize Maia, and Andressa/Tainá will serve in the Qualifying round for a spot in the main tournament.
The main draw already includes Thamela/Vic, Talita/Taiana, Carol Solberg/Rebecca, Vitória/Hegê, Evandro/Arthur Lanci, and André/Renato.
The competition begins with the Qualifying round, with 16 pairs of each gender in elimination matches. Eight winners of the round secure a place in the main tournament, consisting of 24 pairs.
At the first phase, the pairs are divided into six pools with four pairings, facing each other. The best in each group qualifies directly for the Round of 16 – runner-up and third-place team go to the lucky-loser round. The decision takes place in the late afternoon on Sunday (9/28).
Rio de Janeiro is the fourth Brazilian city to host a stage of the Beach Pro Tour in the 2025 season. Saquarema (RJ), Brasília (DF), and João Pessoa (PB) have hosted the events held so far. The Brazilian Volleyball Confederation (CBV) will also promote another tournament in Itapema (SC), from December 3 to 7.
WHEN/WHERE TO WATCH – Elite 16 Stage of the Beach Pro Tour, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Schedule:
September 24 – Wednesday: Qualifying and Group Stage – 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
September 25 – Thursday: Group Stage – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
September 26 – Friday: Group Stage and Lucky-loser – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
September 27 – Saturday: Round of 16 and Quarterfinals – 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
September 28 – Sunday: Semifinals – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
September 28 – Sunday: Bronze medal matches and Finals – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Broadcast: Semifinals and medal matches on SporTV channels.