The National Beach Volleyball League is back for 2026, and this season marks a new chapter. With it’s new home at the Sax Centre — a facility purpose-built for the NBVL — we’ve taken the opportunity to rethink the league from the ground up, and focus in on Calgary. The result will lead to the most competitive, most structured, and most exciting version of the NBVL to date.
Earn Your Spot
The biggest change this season: No more Draft. NBVL spots are now earned on the court. Athletes register as a pair and compete in one or more of the three single-day Qualifier Tournaments happening this May. The top finishing teams will earn a place in the NBVL feature league, where they’ll compete as part of a sponsored team against the best pairs in Calgary. If you want in in 2026 and beyond, you have to show up and prove it!
A Clear Path for Every Player
Not ready for the feature league — or just looking for a great summer of competitive or recreational volleyball? The V-League runs all summer long alongside the NBVL, organized into performance tiers so every pair is competing at the right level. All levels are welcome in the V-League, participating teams do not need to be NBVL hopefuls, purely recreational teams are very welcome and will be matched with teams of the same level. Every Thursday doubles team enters into the V-League, and the best will rise from there. It’s a system designed to grow the game and reward performance at every level.
Refining the process
After a few years experimenting with multiple participating cities simultaneously, in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver, we found that with the resources being spread, the quality was affected in each destination, and it was difficult to keep a consistent standard in each location. For that reason, the decision has been made to focus in on Calgary for the time being to really refine what the NBVL can be in one place. With the Sax Centre as a dedicated facility and nearing the construction finish line, we will be pushing for the best quality experience for Athletes, volunteers, sponsors and fans throughout the 2026 season.
Get Involved — Players & Sponsors
Whether you’re lacing up or looking to put your brand on the court, 2026 is the year to be part of the NBVL. Team and league sponsorship opportunities are available — if you’re interested in aligning your brand with Calgary’s most competitive beach volleyball league, reach out to us at league@nbvl.ca. V-League registration is open now at the link below, with NBVL Qualifier registration opening very soon!
Key Dates
May 9th – NBVL Qualifer #1
May 10th – NBVL Qualifier #2
May 16th – NBVL Qualifer #3
May 21st – V-League start, NBVL Preseason
May 28th – NBVL Regular Season Start
– Thursday nights will be the regular night for both NBVL and V-League –
July 9th – No NBVL Feature matches for Vancouver Open, V-League will have play as usual
July 16th – Last NBVL Regular Season matches, Team Champions crowned, Doubles playoff seeding confirmed
July 23d – Doubles Play-In Tournament
July 30th – Men’s and Women’s NBVL Sem-Finals an Finals
August 6, 13 & 20 – V-League Playoffs, NBVL Post-season events (All-Star Game, Awards night, etc.)
For a full breakdown of the NBVL and V-League format, see our 2026 NBVL Rules & Regulations Handbook.
