FIVB: Long Beach Grand Slam

The Queen Mary in Long Beach California.  Photo: David Jones

The FIVB World Tour will once again be returning to North America July 22nd-27th in Long Beach, California. More importantly, it will mark the first time in ten years that the FIVB will host a tournament on US soil.

With the American beach scene currently in a state of rebuilding, it seems as though the Long Beach Grand Slam organizers are taking no chances to make sure their event is a success.

Along with the obvious FIVB action, Long Beach will also feature a 4’s and 6’s beach tournament, as well as a “beach music festival” throughout the entirety of the event.

As for broadcasting rights, NBC is partnered with the event, although it remains to be seen at what level they will broadcast the matches.

As NBC also owns NBC Sports and Universal Sports, we’re here hoping we don’t see the same situation as the 2012 NORCECA Olympic Qualification, where NBC did broadcast the match, but no until the next day.

Regardless of the level of television broadcasting the event will receive, the event will be returning next year due to the two-year deal signed between USA Volleyball, the FIVB, and the events promoter Management Entertainment Plus, so we can count at least one North American FIVB tour stop for 2014 as well.