The 2026 Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour kicked off in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, where the world’s top beach volleyball athletes are making their mark in the season’s first medal rounds at the Mount Maunganui Futures tournament.
International Teams Reach Semifinal Stage
Eight competitive duos from around the globe have advanced to the semifinals, showcasing athleticism and determination. Represented countries include the United States, Japan, Romania, Australia, and New Zealand.
Men’s Semifinal Match-ups
- Diego Perez & David Wieczorek (USA) vs. Gage Basey & Thomas Hurst (USA)
- Solomon Bushby & Justin Schumann (AUS) vs. Nassim Malki & Yu Takuma (JPN)
Australia’s Bushby and Schumann have impressed with a flawless performance, not dropping a single set so far.
Women’s Semifinal Match-ups
- Shaunna Polley & Olivia MacDonald (NZL) vs. Kelly Belardi & Charlotta Bell (USA)
- Beata Vaida & Francesca Alupei (ROU) vs. Sakura Ito & Mayu Sawame (JPN)
Notably, the Romanian and Japanese pairs remain unbeaten going into these crucial matches.
Medals at Stake
Both bronze and gold medal matches will take place on Sunday, February 8, starting at 13:00 local time. Fans can catch the action live via the Beach Volleyball World YouTube channel.
Looking Ahead in 2026
This Futures stop is the first of 29 scheduled events on the 2026 Pro Tour calendar. Beyond medals, teams are competing for early-season momentum and critical ranking points that will define their standings and paths through the year.
For full match times and tournament updates, visit the official site: Volleyball World.
