What Is 2015 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour

Overview

The 2015 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Association of Volleyball Professionals, marking three decades of elite beach volleyball competition in the United States. This season featured a restructured schedule and expanded fan engagement initiatives, aiming to grow the sport's visibility and attract new audiences.

With 12 tournament stops from California to New Jersey, the tour showcased top American talent alongside international competitors. The season culminated in the AVP Tour Championship, a premier event that determined the year's top teams based on points and performance.

• Twelve tournaments were held across the U.S., beginning with the AVP Huntington Beach Open on June 18–21.
• The tour included new locations such as Philadelphia and Chicago, reflecting AVP’s push to expand into major metropolitan markets.
• A total of $1.2 million in prize money was distributed, with $75,000 awarded to the winning team at the Tour Championship.
• Top-seeded teams included Olympic legend Kerri Walsh Jennings and her new partner Brooke Sweat, who dominated the season.
• The AVP partnered with ESPN for live coverage, broadcasting 10 events to increase national exposure.

How It Works

The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour operates as a points-based circuit where teams earn rankings and prize money through consistent performance across multiple events.

• Tournament Format: Each event follows a double-elimination bracket. Teams compete in pools during qualifying rounds, with top finishers advancing to single-elimination playoffs.
• Scoring System: Matches are best-of-three sets. Sets are played to 21 points (win by 2), with the third set to 15.
• Player Eligibility: Athletes must register with the AVP and pay entry fees. Both U.S. and international players can compete, though citizenship affects Olympic qualification.
• Points Structure: Teams earn points based on finishing position. Champions receive 300 points, while semifinalists earn 150, influencing year-end rankings.
• Prize Distribution: Prize purses vary per event, with majors offering up to $125,000. The Tour Championship awarded the largest share at $75,000 for first place.
• Season Championship: The top eight teams in points qualify for the AVP Tour Championship, a season-ending event that determines the official champions.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2015 AVP Tour compared to the previous season and its international counterpart, the FIVB World Tour:

The 2015 season showed growth in prize money and event count compared to 2014, though it remained smaller in scale than the global FIVB circuit. However, the AVP’s focus on domestic development and television partnerships helped strengthen its brand identity and fan base.

Why It Matters

The 2015 AVP Tour played a crucial role in advancing professional beach volleyball in the U.S., both as a sport and as a commercial enterprise. Its success laid the foundation for future investments and media deals.

• The tour helped prepare U.S. athletes for international competition, including Olympic qualification cycles.
• Increased ESPN coverage brought beach volleyball into more American households, boosting viewership by 22% over 2014.
• Partnerships with sponsors like Nike and Go RVing provided financial stability and marketing reach.
• The inclusion of new cities diversified the fan base and expanded the sport beyond traditional coastal strongholds.
• Female athletes received equal prize money, reinforcing the AVP’s commitment to gender equity in sports.
• Success in 2015 led to a revival of AVP ownership in 2017, with new investors revitalizing the league.

Overall, the 2015 season was a turning point that demonstrated the viability of professional beach volleyball as a sustainable, nationally recognized sport in the United States.