Photo via FIVB
Photo via FIVB

Toronto to host Swatch Beach Volleyball World Tour finals

This September, Toronto will be in the spotlight of the beach volleyball world.

Less than one month after Rio 2016, the Canadian city will host the world’s top beach volleyball duos at the second edition of the Swatch FIVB World Tour Finals. 

The event will take place at Polson Pier, from September 13-18, with matches beginning on the 14th. Canada last hosted a World Tour event in 2011 (Québec Open).

Featuring 12 teams per gender and a maximum quota of two pairs per country, the FIVB World Finals will group teams in four pools, followed by quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. In addition to winning a title, top teams will receive cash prizes totalling $500,000.

The FIVB Tour Finals will mark the end of an incredible season, which will include four Major Series events, four Grand Slams, the Rio 2016 beach volleyball tournament and 13 open events.

This season’s Canadian successes includes Josh Binstock and Sam Schachter‘s silver medal at the Cincinnati Open, while Heather Bansley and Sarah Pavan won bronze at the Moscow Grand Slam and silver at the Porec Major.

Beach volleyball teams will have one last chance to qualify for the Finals, at the A1 Major Klagenfurt, from July 26-31, and at the Long Beach Grand Slam, from August 23-28.

This year’s competition marks the second edition of the World Tour Finals, the first took place last year in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.