Volleyfest to spike region into a frenzy

ATHLETES from more than 24 nations will call Torquay home until December 4 during the Great Ocean Road Beach Volleyfest which launched today 9Wednesday, November 23).

The volleyball festival features two stages of the Volleyball World Pro Tour and the opening round of the Australian Beach Volleyball Tour, featuring some of the best beach volleyball talent from across the world.

Delivered by Volleyball Australia at a temporary event village on Elephant Walk, the festival features competition courts with a total capacity of 1,900 spectators, training courts, entertainment, and sports development opportunities.

Headlining the first stage of the Pro Tour, the Challenge event, will be Australia’s Commonwealth Games Gold Medallists Chris McHugh and Paul Burnett, who will get the opportunity to play on home sand for the first time since their victory in Birmingham 2022.

They will also line up in next week’s Pro Tour Elite 16 competition, alongside Olympic and Commonwealth silver medallists Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho del Solar.

The events will attract about 450 competitors and support crew from around the globe competing in front of thousands.

The international Beach Pro Tour features the world’s top teams, and the Australian Beach Volleyball Tour event is one of six premier elite domestic events staged across the country.

Beach volleyball is due to feature in the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and the Great Ocean Road Beach Volleyfest will help build interest in the sport and show regional Victoria’s ability to host significant sporting events.

The schedule for the Pro Tour is outlined below (all times local):

Pro Tour – CHALLENGE

November 23 – Qualifications. Competition from noon
November 24-25 – Pool Games. Competition 9am
November 26 – Semi Finals 6-10pm
November 27 – Finals Women noon-2pm and Men 5-7pm

Pro Tour – ELITE 16
November 29 – Qualifications. Competition from 10am
November 30-December 1 – Pool Games. Competition from 9am
December 2 – Semi Finals 6-10pm
December 3 – Finals 5pm-9pm

All matches played on centre court during the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge (November 23-27) and Elite 16 (November 29-December 3) tournaments will be streamed live exclusively on Kayo Freebies.