What Is 2008 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2008 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour was the 23rd season of the Association of Volleyball Professionals, featuring 10 official events across the U.S. from June to August, with total prize money exceeding $1.2 million. Top players included Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor, who dominated the women's division.

Key Facts

The 2008 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour consisted of 10 official tournaments.
Total prize money for the 2008 season exceeded $1.2 million.
Events were held from June to August 2008 in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.
Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor won the 2008 AVP season title.
The tour featured both men's and women's professional beach volleyball teams.

Overview

The 2008 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour marked the 23rd competitive season of the Association of Volleyball Professionals, serving as the premier professional beach volleyball circuit in the United States. This season featured top American athletes preparing for international competition, including the 2008 Beijing Olympics, making it a pivotal year for player visibility and development.

With 10 official events hosted across major U.S. cities, the tour attracted elite talent and growing fan interest. The structure emphasized consistent performance across multiple tournaments, culminating in a points-based championship that rewarded season-long excellence.

10 official tournaments were held during the 2008 season, beginning in Fort Lauderdale in June and concluding in Manhattan Beach in August.
The tour offered a combined purse of over $1.2 million, one of the highest totals in AVP history at the time.
Events took place in major metropolitan areas including Chicago, Huntington Beach, and New York City, enhancing public access and media exposure.
Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor won multiple events, maintaining their dominance ahead of the Beijing Olympics.
The AVP partnered with NBC Sports for national television coverage, increasing broadcast visibility compared to previous seasons.

How It Works

The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour operates on a season-long points and prize money structure, with teams earning rankings based on performance across multiple events. Each tournament follows a bracket-style elimination format, combining preliminary rounds and main draws.

Tournament Format: Each event features a 32-team main draw with 16 additional teams in qualifying rounds. Matches are best-of-three sets, including a decisive third set if needed.
Scoring System: Matches use rally-point scoring to 21 points (first two sets) and 15 points (third set), with a two-point margin required to win.
Player Eligibility: Athletes must register with the AVP and pay entry fees. Both U.S. citizens and international players can compete, though most are American.
Prize Distribution: Total prize money is split between men's and women's divisions, with first-place teams earning up to $24,000 per event.
Points Accumulation: Teams earn AVP ranking points based on final placement, contributing to the season championship standings and seeding for future events.
Event Hosting: Cities bid to host tournaments; venues are typically public beaches with temporary seating, broadcast infrastructure, and sponsor zones.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2008 AVP Tour compared to previous and subsequent seasons in key metrics:

Season	Number of Events	Total Prize Money	Champions	TV Coverage
2006	8	$900,000	Phil Dalhausser/Rogerio Silva (M), Jennings/May-Treanor (W)	ESPN2
2007	9	$1.1 million	Todd Rogers/Phil Dalhausser (M), Jennings/May-Treanor (W)	ESPN2
2008	10	$1.2 million	Jennings/May-Treanor (W), Rogers/Dalhausser (M)	NBC Sports
2009	7	$850,000	Rogers/Dalhausser (M), Jennings/May-Treanor (W)	NBC, Universal
2010	8	$950,000	Sean Scott/Jeff Nygaard (M), Jennings/May-Treanor (W)	Universal Sports

The 2008 season represented a peak in tour expansion and financial investment before economic challenges reduced event numbers in 2009. The move to NBC significantly increased viewership, particularly during the summer Olympic year, helping popularize beach volleyball among mainstream American audiences.

Why It Matters

The 2008 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour played a crucial role in elevating the sport’s profile in the U.S., serving as a springboard for Olympic success and long-term league development. Its timing ahead of the Beijing Games amplified media attention and inspired a new generation of athletes.

The tour provided essential competitive preparation for U.S. athletes ahead of the 2008 Summer Olympics, where American teams won gold in both men's and women's beach volleyball.
Increased NBC television coverage brought beach volleyball into millions of homes, boosting public awareness and sponsorship interest.
Strong performances by Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings solidified their legacy as one of the greatest teams in the sport’s history.
The AVP’s partnership model with host cities helped revitalize urban beachfronts and supported local tourism and economies.
Female athletes received equal prize money and media time, reinforcing gender equity in professional sports.
The 2008 season laid groundwork for future AVP stability, influencing later revival efforts and league restructuring in the 2010s.

Ultimately, the 2008 AVP Tour was more than a series of tournaments—it was a cultural and athletic milestone that strengthened American beach volleyball on the world stage.