Gulf Shores hosts national beach volleyball tournament, sparking early summer tourism

GULF SHORES, Ala. — Hundreds of volleyball players and thousands of fans have descended on the beaches of Gulf Shores on Saturday for the National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship.

The event was supposed to take place in Huntington Beach, California, but due to the wildfires that ripped through the area in January, it was moved to the Gulf Coast.

A quick change and an unanticipated economic boost.

On Friday, sixteen teams of the country’s best volleyball athletes began vying for a national title.

The 9th annual, single-elimination tournament is set to wrap up Sunday.

“In light of the ongoing recovery efforts approximately 50 miles up north in Los Angeles County, our focus is currently on ensuring hotel rooms and other resources remain focused on supporting those in need,” Orange County Sports Commission Executive Director Anthony Brenneman said in a prepared statement.

A quick pivot, with just four months to plan.

The relationships that we have with our friends here in Gulf Shores allowed us the ability to make the switch and make it pretty quickly,” NCAA director of championships and alliances Kristin Fasbender said.

The tournament is no stranger to Gulf Shores. It’s been hosted here since the inaugural tournament in 2016.

Kristin fasbender // ncaa director of championships and alliances

“We’ve worked with the folks for 9 championships, 10 years minus our covid year, and you go through a lot,” Fasbender said. “It’s great to be back here on these beaches.”

The tournament kicks off the summer season on the Gulf Coast.

“I know we’ve got a team that has 100 tickets or more, so we have fans coming in from all over,” Fasbender said.

They’re not just watching volleyball.

Michelle Russ// vice president of sales, sports and events with Alabama’s Beaches Sports and Events

“This is a great event for our beaches, not only does it bring in sixteen teams, but they bring in friends and families that travel here and stay overnight,” Sports and Events with Alabama’s Beaches vice president Michelle Russ said. “They spend money in our restaurants and attractions, so it is a great boost for our economy. Especially this time of year, because we’re not quite into summer, so it’s a great early boost in May for our businesses.”

The national championship matchup is set for Sunday morning at 10:30.