One of Kitsilano’s signature summer sporting events is returning to the sand next month.
The Vancouver Open, Western Canada’s premier beach volleyball tournament, is back at Kitsilano Beach from July 10 to 12 for its 33rd edition.
Presented as the marquee event of Volleyball BC’s Beach Tour, the three-day tournament will feature top beach volleyball players from Canada, North America, and around the world competing for a $20,000 prize pool.
This year’s event arrives with a refreshed format, including a more streamlined layout, restructured prize pool, and updated spectator experience. Organizers say the changes are designed to preserve the tournament’s Kits Beach atmosphere while ensuring the long-running community event remains sustainable.
For spectators, the 2026 Vancouver Open will include expanded bar service, enhanced in-seat ordering, improved sightlines of Centre Court, and shaded seating areas. Reserved seating is now on sale for Saturday and Sunday, while general admission seating will be available for purchase on-site.
General admission is free on Friday, $10 per seat on Saturday, and $15 per seat on Sunday.
On the court, the main draw will feature 32 men’s teams and 32 women’s teams. The top 24 teams per gender qualify through FIVB results, Volleyball BC points, and wildcard selections, while the remaining eight spots are determined through a Friday qualifier.
The weekend will also include youth competition, with 14U and 16U beach tournaments giving younger players a chance to compete at Kits Beach. The Youth Open takes place Sunday, July 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a youth qualifier scheduled for Friday, July 10.
The Vancouver Open venue will include nine competition courts and two warm-up courts at Kitsilano Beach.
Athlete registration for the 2026 Vancouver Open is open through SportLomo until Friday, June 26 at 12 p.m. Organizers are also seeking volunteers and donations to support youth initiatives, player experiences, and the future of the event.
For Kitsilano residents, the Vancouver Open is more than a tournament. It is a summer tradition that brings elite sport, beach culture, and community energy together on one of Vancouver’s most iconic stretches of sand.
