Beach Volleyball Major Series: Tournament History and Champions (2015–2020)
The Beach Volleyball Major Series represents a premier tier of competition within the FIVB World Tour, bringing together the world's elite athletes to compete in high-stakes tournaments across the globe. From its inception in 2015, the series established a tradition of excellence, visiting iconic coastal and city locations to crown the best pairs in the sport.
The series is characterized by its "Major" stops—prestigious events that offer significant ranking points and prize money—culminating in the annual World Tour Finals. Over several years, the tour expanded its reach across Europe and North America, showcasing the athletic prowess of top-tier men's and women's teams.
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Key Facts
- Inception: The Major Series first launched in 2015.
- Core Locations: Frequent host cities included Gstaad (Switzerland), Poreč (Croatia), and Hamburg (Germany).
- Major Events: The series included the FIVB World Tour Finals and, in 2017, the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in Vienna.
- Dominant Teams: Pairs such as Larissa/Talita and Mol/Sørum emerged as recurring champions across multiple seasons.
- Pandemic Impact: The entire 2020 schedule was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tournament Evolution by Year
The Early Years: 2015–2016
The series debuted in 2015 with stops in Poreč, Stavanger, and Gstaad, ending with the World Tour Finals in Fort Lauderdale, USA. The following year, 2016, saw the expansion into Hamburg and Klagenfurt, with the season finale moving to Toronto, Canada.
Growth and World Championships: 2017–2018
By 2017, the series had become a cornerstone of the FIVB World Tour. A significant milestone occurred in July and August 2017, when the Swatch Major Series organized the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in Vienna. The 2018 season continued this momentum, with Mol/Sørum establishing a dominant presence in the men's division.
The Final Stretch and Cancellation: 2019–2020
The 2019 season focused on key stops in Gstaad and Vienna. However, the momentum of the series came to an abrupt halt in 2020. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, all scheduled tournaments in Gstaad, Vienna, and Hamburg were cancelled, bringing the series to a standstill.
Summary of Major Series Results
The following table provides a comprehensive overview of the winners and host countries from the series' inception through its final scheduled events.
| Year | Tournament / Stop | Country | Men's Winners | Women's Winners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Poreč Major | Croatia | Brouwer / Meewusen | Larissa / Talita |
| 2015 | Stavanger Major | Norway | Evandro / Pedro Solberg | Juliana / Antonelli |
| 2015 | Gstaad Major | Switzerland | Alison / Bruno Schmidt | Larissa / Talita |
| 2015 | World Tour Finals (Fort Lauderdale) | USA | Alison / Bruno Schmidt | Larissa / Talita |
| 2016 | smart Major Hamburg | Germany | Lucena / Dalhausser | Ludwig / Walkenhorst |
| 2016 | Poreč Major | Croatia | Alison / Bruno Schmidt | Laboureur / Sude |
| 2016 | Gstaad Major | Switzerland | Evandro / Pedro Solberg | Larissa / Talita |
| 2016 | A1 Major Klagenfurt | Austria | Samoilovs / Smedins | Ludwig / Walkenhorst |
| 2016 | World Tour Finals (Toronto) | Canada | Alison / Bruno Schmidt | Ludwig / Walkenhorst |
| 2017 | Fort Lauderdale Major | USA | Alvaro / Saymon | Larissa / Talita |
| 2017 | Poreč Major | Croatia | Guto / Pedro Solberg | Pavan / Humana-Paredes |
| 2017 | Gstaad Major | Switzerland | Lucena / Dalhausser | Laboureur / Sude |
| 2017 | World Tour Finals (Hamburg) | Germany | Lucena / Dalhausser | Ludwig / Walkenhorst |
| 2018 | Fort Lauderdale Major | USA | Lucena / Dalhausser | Seixas / Alves |
| 2018 | Gstaad Major | Switzerland | Mol / Sørum | Humana-Paredes / Pavan |
| 2018 | Vienna Major | Austria | Mol / Sørum | Hermannová / Sluková |
| 2018 | World Tour Finals (Hamburg) | Germany | Mol / Sørum | Agatha / Duda |
| 2019 | Gstaad Major | Switzerland | Mol / Sørum | Klineman / Ross |
| 2019 | Vienna Major | Austria | Mol / Sørum | Pavan / Melissa |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Beach Volleyball Major Series begin?
The series officially began in 2015 with tour stops in Croatia, Norway, and Switzerland.
Which women's team was particularly successful in the early years?
Larissa and Talita were highly dominant, winning multiple events including the 2015 Poreč Major, Gstaad Major, and the 2015 World Tour Finals.
What happened to the 2020 tournaments?
All three scheduled tournaments in Gstaad, Vienna, and Hamburg, as well as the entire Major Series for that year, were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Did the Major Series organize any World Championships?
Yes, the Swatch Major Series was responsible for organizing the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships held in Vienna in July and August 2017.
Which men's team dominated the later years of the series?
Mol and Sørum were exceptionally successful, winning consecutive titles in Gstaad, Vienna, and the World Tour Finals between 2018 and 2019.