The FIVB has announced that the 2021 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships have been rescheduled for June 2022 in Rome, Italy due to significant changes to the global sports calendar following the postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in light of the global coronavirus pandemic.
The 2021 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships were originally scheduled for summer in Rome, Italy as part of a joint agreement between the FIVB, the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), Sport e Salute and the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV). However, following the rescheduling of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, a meticulous review of the subsequent impact on next year’s sports calendar, and close consultation with the FIVB Board of Administration, all parties have agreed that rescheduling the event to June 2022 is the optimal solution to ensure a spectacular event.
Rome, Italy hosted a hugely successful FIVB Beach Volleyball Would Tour Finals in 2019
The World Championships will remain in the Italian capital, a city which has continuously proved its beach volleyball hosting credentials by holding many distinguished events at its famous Foro Italico venue. Just last year, Rome welcomed thousands of fans for an incredibly successful FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Finals, which generated more than 36 million impressions on social media and was broadcast live in over 70 countries.
FIVB President Ary S. Graça Fᵒ said:
“We believe that rescheduling the 2021 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships was the best solution in light of the postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. We are also delighted that this event will remain in Italy, a nation with a proud sporting history. Rome hosted a very successful FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in 2011, and we are extremely proud to bring this prestigious tournament back to the country. We may have to wait a little longer now to crown our new beach volleyball world champions, but it will undoubtedly be worth it when we witness the greatest players go head to head in 2022.”
Sold-out Foro Italico stadium during the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in 2011
President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) Giovanni Malagò said:
“The Beach Volleyball World Championships are an extraordinary sport event, and are symbolic of the excellence of beach volleyball and of the world of sport in general. We fully share and support the decision to reschedule the World Championships to 2022 in light of the postponement of the Olympic Games of Tokyo to 2021, and in respect of the international sports calendar and agenda. Everything must be perfect for this unique event in Rome while fully respecting all the values that, together with the FIVB, the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV) and Sport e Salute, have always been our main objective.”
President and CEO of Sport e Salute Vito Cozzoli said:
“We fully share the joint decision of all the entities involved to reschedule the Beach Volleyball World Championships to 2022. We strongly believe that this is the best solution in light of the impact of the global pandemic. I am strongly convinced that we will overcome this great obstacle together, and achieve greater unity and determination in the future within the context of our strong and successful partnership with the FIVB, the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV) and the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI). We are very proud that the World Championships are confirmed to be staged in the extraordinary venue of the Foro Italico, which hosted the very successful 2019 edition of the Tour Finals. Our common goal is to enhance sports and beach volleyball in the best way possible."
FIPAV President Pietro Bruno Cattaneo said:
"The decision to reschedule the Beach Volleyball World Championship for 2022 has been jointly taken together with our partners: FIVB, CONI and Sport e Salute. We truly believe that this is the best possible solution for the good of all: athletes, sector operators and fans who will be in the thousands – I am sure – as happened during the wonderful nights in 2011 when the Foro Italico took the leading role of an amazing show. The organisation of the World Championships demands an extraordinary commitment, and under the present conditions it would not be possible to work safely. This pandemic has changed the lives of every single one of us, but I am sure that we will come back soon to enjoy the unique show granted by the fantastic sport that beach volleyball is."
The previous edition of the prestigious FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in Hamburg, Germany saw packed venues throughout the event
The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships is held every two years and brings together the very best beach volleyball players, battling it out in pursuit of the world title. The previous edition of the event was held in Hamburg, Germany in 2019 and saw Russia's Oleg Stoyanovskiy and Viacheslav Krasilnikov claim men's gold, whilst Melissa Humana-Paredes and Sarah Pavan took home Canada’s first women’s world title. The 10-day competition also welcomed over 130,000 spectators, and was enjoyed by over 158 million viewers worldwide.