The iconic Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro is once again preparing to host the pinnacle of beach volleyball. From Wednesday, September 24, to Sunday, September 28, 2025, the ninth Elite event of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour will transform these legendary sands into a pulsating arena of athleticism and strategic prowess. For fans and athletes alike, the return to Rio isn`t just another tournament; it`s a homecoming to one of the sport`s most hallowed grounds, promising a spectacle unmatched in its fusion of natural beauty and competitive fire.
Copacabana: An Unrivaled Stage for Beach Volleyball
Rio de Janeiro holds a special place in the heart of beach volleyball. It`s more than just a host city; it`s a living, breathing backdrop that amplifies every spike, block, and dive. This year marks the second time Rio has welcomed the Beach Pro Tour Elite16, reaffirming its status as an indispensable stop on the global circuit. The energy of Copacabana, with its vibrant crowds and breathtaking ocean views, provides an atmosphere that few other venues can replicate. It’s where legends are made, and where the sport truly comes alive, embodying the spirit of beach culture and elite competition.
A Galaxy of Stars: The Men`s Line-Up
The 2025 Rio Elite16 men’s draw reads like a who`s who of international beach volleyball. This is not merely a collection of good players; it`s a convention of the sport`s most formidable talents, all vying for glory on one of its grandest stages.
- The Reigning Vikings: Leading the charge are Norway`s Olympic champions, Anders Mol & Christian Sorum. These “Beachvolley Vikings” — also Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medalists, reigning European champions, and the undisputed number one in the FIVB World Ranking — arrive as the most decorated team on the Beach World Tour. Their presence alone guarantees a masterclass in strategic play and raw power. Despite a fourth-place finish in Rio last year, their consistent podium finishes this season (three golds out of seven Elite appearances) suggest they are here to rewrite that narrative.
- Dutch Dynamism: Hot on their heels are the Netherlands` Stefan Boermans & Yorick de Groot. Ranked third globally, this duo has accumulated one gold and four bronze medals in six Beach Pro Tour outings this year, including a recent bronze in Joao Pessoa. Their blend of athleticism and tactical precision makes them formidable contenders.
- Argentine Aspirations: Argentina`s Nicolas Capogrosso & Tomas Capogrosso, currently ranked fourth worldwide, are eager to improve upon their runner-up finish in Rio last year. Their journey through Pool C promises intense clashes.
- Qatari Quest for Gold: The Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medalists, Cherif Younousse & Ahmed Tijan of Qatar, return as the third seed. With two Beach Pro Tour golds already pocketed this season, their hunger for a third is palpable, ensuring fierce competition in Pool C.
Home Court Advantage and Rising Tides
Brazil, as a nation synonymous with beach volleyball, naturally fields a strong contingent. The Brazilian tandem of 2017 world champion Evandro Oliveira & Arthur Mariano Lanci, ranked sixth globally, has a remarkable record of four Beach Pro Tour gold medals, all secured on home soil. They aim to continue this golden streak, leading Pool E with characteristic flair.
The tournament also features a vibrant mix of international talent, including U.S. Olympians Miles Evans & Chase Budinger and Miles Partain & Andrew Benesh, German pair Paul Henning & Lui Wust, and Swiss duo Marco Krattiger & Leo Dillier. Latvian bronze medalists from the 2024 Rio Elite16, Martins Plavins & Kristians Fokerots, will headline Pool D, facing Australian Olympians Mark Nicolaidis & Izac Carracher and the formidable Brazilian pairing of Andre Stein & Renato Lima.
Cuba’s Olympians Noslen Diaz & Jorge Alayo add another layer of global representation, highlighting the diverse competitive landscape of the Beach Pro Tour.
The Qualification Gauntlet: A Path to Glory
For some, the journey to the main draw is a fierce battle in itself. Wednesday morning kicks off with a challenging qualification round. Notably, England’s Joaquin Bello & Javier Bello, who famously clinched their first and only Beach Pro Tour gold in Rio last year after starting from the qualifications, will embark on this arduous path once more. Their unexpected victory in 2024 serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of elite beach volleyball, where any team can ascend from obscurity to triumph.
The qualifiers are not to be underestimated, featuring other high-caliber teams like France`s Remi Bassereau & Calvin Aye (silver medalists in Joao Pessoa), Norway’s Mathias Berntsen & Hendrik Mol, and the Austrian and Portuguese duos, Timo Hammarberg & Tim Berger and Joao Pedrosa & Hugo Campos, respectively. These teams have demonstrated their capacity for deep runs, proving that the `underdogs` often pack the biggest bite.
Tournament Dynamics and the Road to the Podium
After the qualification matches, the 24-team main draw will commence on Wednesday afternoon with pool play. A modified format ensures that three teams from each pool advance to the crucial elimination rounds. This structure promises intense, do-or-die matches leading up to the much-anticipated medal matches on Sunday, where the best will literally leave it all on the sand.
The return of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Elite16 to Copacabana is more than just a sporting event; it`s a celebration of beach volleyball in its purest form. With a stellar men’s line-up featuring Olympic champions, world-ranked elites, and emerging talents, Rio is set to deliver an unforgettable week of world-class competition. From the qualifying heats to the final serve, the drama, athleticism, and sheer joy of the sport will be on full display, solidifying Copacabana`s legacy as the heart of beach volleyball.
