Australia will host the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships for the first time in 2025, when about 192 players descend on Adelaide to take part in the prestigious event.

Memorial Drive will host the event, with about 1000 cubic metres of sand  brought in to turn the tennis venue into a beach volleyball colosseum.

The championships, which is held every two years and attracts 48 international teams, is one of the highest honours in international beach volleyball, surpassed only by the Olympics.

Volleyball Australia President Craig Carracher said Adelaide had been the home of beach volleyball in Australia for nearly three decades with many top athletes training here at the SASI-based national training centre.

“When it comes to beach volleyball, the biggest events stand out – the World Championships, Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games – and Australia will play host to all three inside the next decade,” Mr Carracher said.

“History shows that having the opportunity to compete at a home World Championships provides a real home court advantage and I know our leading players will be primed to take on the world in front of a home crowd.”

The partnership between Volleyball SA and the State Government will also guarantee Adelaide hosting rights for a further seven national and Asian volleyball competitions between 2024 and 2026.

The 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships will add to the impressive list of sporting events being staged in Adelaide this year, including LIV Golf, AFL’s Gather Round, Tour Down Under, Adelaide 500, Adelaide Equestrian Festival, FIFA Women’s World Cup and the State of Origin.

Last year's world championships were held in Rome and attracted 16 million fans worldwide, on Volleyball World's digital platforms.

This year's event is being held in Mexico, and the 2024 championship will be played in Paris, under the world-famous Eiffel Tower.