MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — One of beach volleyball's biggest weekends has returned to Manhattan Beach, bringing 64 teams, defending champions and a few intriguing reunions to the sand around the pier.
The main draw of the 2026 AVP Progressive Manhattan Beach Open began Friday morning and runs through Sunday, with competition beginning at 8 a.m. each day.
Established in 1960 and known as the "Granddaddy of Them All," the Manhattan Beach Open carries one of the sport's most coveted prizes: Winners have their names permanently enshrined on plaques along the Manhattan Beach Pier.
This year's men's draw comes with some added drama.
Top seeds Chase Budinger and Trevor Crabb are playing together in the U.S. for the first time, two years after Crabb shoved Budinger during a side switch at an AVP event in Chicago.
Crabb is chasing his fifth Manhattan Beach Open title, while Budinger is trying to defend the championship he won last year with Miles Evans. Then there's Phil Dalhausser.
The four-time Olympian and 2008 Olympic gold medalist enters as the No. 8 seed alongside Taylor Sander after splitting from Crabb, with whom he won back-to-back AVP Cups. Dalhausser is chasing his eighth Manhattan Beach Open title.
If the seeds hold, the former partners could meet on stadium court at 8 a.m. Saturday.
On the women's side, top seeds Taryn Brasher and Kristen Cruz are chasing history of their own.
The pair won the Manhattan Beach Open in 2024 and 2025 and arrive seeking a third consecutive title. Among those standing in their way are No. 2 seeds Megan Kraft and Kelly Cheng and No. 3 seeds Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson, none of whom has won a Manhattan Beach Open title.
General admission on the sand is free throughout the weekend, with reserved ticketed seating also available. General admission seating is first come, first served.
Saturday's competition begins at 8 a.m., with elimination rounds continuing through the semifinals. Sunday's semifinals and finals will be played on stadium court.
All courts will stream Friday on the AVP YouTube channel. Stadium and feature courts will stream Saturday on Bally Sports Live and AVP YouTube, while Sunday's action will also air on CBS Sports Network and The CW.
Organizers are encouraging spectators to use public parking, carpool or rideshare. Beach chairs, umbrellas and coolers are not permitted in ticketed areas or general admission grandstands.
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