The NCAA Beach Volleyball National Championship is set to return to Gulf Shores this May showcasing the sport’s top 17 teams in the country.

Tickets are now on sale for the tournament taking place May 3-5 at Gulf Place Public Beach, with the purchase of all-session or day passes also granting fans access to the opening round play-in duel that Friday morning. All-session passes currently range from $60 to $260 via Eventbrite. Fans 2 years old and under can attend free of charge.

“Families and fans are in for a treat throughout the weekend for intense competition on one of NCAA’s most beautiful championship sites all while enjoying our laid-back coastal culture,” said Michelle Russ, vice president of sales for Gulf Shores | Orange Beach Sports & Events. “Book your rooms and get your tickets now for a fun weekend on the beach and around the destination.”

GSOB Sports & Events has been a department of GSOB Tourism since 2007 aiming to increase the number of quality athletic events in the area. Gulf Shores City Council is set to discuss the NCCA Beach Volleyball National Championship public assembly permit application Monday. The single-elimination championship weekend, which has been held in Gulf Shores since its inception in 2016, is expected to attract roughly 6,000 attendees per day according to its application for public assembly.

Attendance has grown steadily over the past few years. According to Ally Mills Dorrough, communications and marketing manager for GSOB Tourism, the tournament brought in 9,488 in 2019 before it took a hiatus during the pandemic. In 2022, attendance was 10,151, and it reached 11,722 last year, which once again broke records.

To ensure the public’s safety during this longtime tradition, six officers will be required to work the event, which will be provided by Gulf Shores Police Department at no cost. However, the city has advised the BeachFest Tournament that should festivities continue to grow and plan a return to the city following an upcoming two-year stint in California, GSPD will recommend the tournament hire two of the six officers.

The event organizer was also urged to provide space for a 10’x10’ GSPD tent to be placed inside the venue and staffed by officers patrolling the event.

Small backpacks, empty water bottles and beach towels are permitted; however, beach chairs, tents, hammocks, umbrellas, coolers and glass are not allowed. Drones, video cameras and professional photo equipment are also prohibited.

Duals will air live throughout championship weekend across ESPN networks with the tournament finale slated for Sunday, May 5, at 10 a.m. on the flagship ESPN. For more information on collegiate beach volleyball, visit ncaa.com/sports/beach-volleyball.