The Chinese city of Shangluo continues to establish itself as one of the emerging centres of international beach volleyball. The Asian Volleyball Confederation –AVC–, in collaboration with Volleyball World, has awarded the China Volleyball Association the hosting rights for the AVC Beach Volleyball Continental Championships 2026, scheduled to take place from 2 to 6 September. The tournament will also serve as a key step on the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, acting as one of the continental qualification events for athletes seeking a place at the Games.

The selection of Shangluo comes amid notable growth in beach volleyball across Asia. According to Ramon Suzara, president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation –AVC–, activity across the most recent competitive cycle highlights the sport’s rising momentum in the region. “The volume of activity in 2025, with 48 national federations participating in 29 AVC and FIVB events, proves that Asia is becoming the global epicentre of beach volleyball,” he said.

He also noted that awarding the continental championship to China will help maintain the competitive momentum generated by recent international tournaments. The bidding process was coordinated by Craig Carracher, chairman of the AVC Beach Volleyball Committee, who oversaw the selection procedure that ultimately confirmed Shangluo as the host city.

A city that has made volleyball part of its identity

In just a few years, Shangluo, located in Shaanxi province at the foothills of the Qinling mountains, has evolved from an emerging destination into a recognised venue for major volleyball competitions. The city has hosted events such as the National U21 Men’s Volleyball Championships, the 14th National Games Women’s Volleyball (U19), the National Beach Volleyball Championships 2023 and the FIVB U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships 2024. It has also staged competitions including the National School Volleyball Regional League Finals 2024–2025 and the 15th National Games Women’s Volleyball Qualification (Adult & U20), reinforcing its role as one of the rising volleyball hubs in China.

This growing calendar of tournaments has helped the city develop specialised infrastructure and organisational expertise. Among the key facilities are the National Volleyball Training Center and the “Belt and Road” Volleyball Training Base, venues equipped with multiple competition and training courts, fitness facilities and functional spaces designed for teams and federations.

Part of Shangluo’s appeal as a sporting venue also lies in its natural setting. In recent beach volleyball events, the centre court has been installed in front of the Qinling Museum, with the Qinling mountains providing a dramatic backdrop. The complex features a main stadium with capacity for around 2,000 spectators, alongside several auxiliary courts and training areas located within walking distance. This combination of mountain landscapes, modern urban spaces and compact venues has turned the city into a distinctive setting for international volleyball competitions.

Nature, clean air and the ambition to become a “City of Volleyball”

The sporting development of Shangluo is closely linked to its natural environment. The city lies in an area with nearly 70 percent forest coverage and is known for its environmental quality, with around 330 days of clean air each year. This mountainous landscape and its mild climate have made the region a frequent destination for sports camps and outdoor training. The area also offers cultural and tourism landmarks such as Jinsixia Grand Canyon, Niubeiliang National Forest Park and the Qinling Museum, combining sport with the promotion of tourism and the region’s green economy.

Local authorities have spent years promoting a strategy to position Shangluo as a “City of Volleyball”. Cooperation with organisations such as the International School Sport Federation –ISF– and the China Student Sports Federation –CSSF– has helped attract international competitions while strengthening educational and development programmes linked to volleyball.

As part of this strategy, the CSSF and the Shangluo Municipal Government signed a cooperation agreement aimed at promoting international school competitions, coach education programmes and youth sport development initiatives connected to volleyball. One example is the ISF World School Volleyball Championship 2026, scheduled to take place in the city from 1 to 10 July, bringing together school teams from different countries while combining competition with educational and cultural activities.