Welcome to the
Santa Barbara Open

The Santa Barbara Open
2026 AVP Santa Barbara Open
Presented by Jones Trading

Location
East Beach — Santa Barbara
700 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Join us for the AVP Santa Barbara Open presented by Jones Trading, hosted by 805 Beach and Santa Barbara Volleyball Club (SBVC)! The weekend features a premier AVP Next event showcasing top professional and semi-professional beach volleyball athletes from around the country competing at one of the sport’s most iconic venues.

Friday, October 2
• AVP Main Draw Qualifier
• Adult Clinic with the Pros (afternoon/evening)
• Youth Clinic with the Pros presented by Montecito Bank & Trust (afternoon/evening)

Saturday–Sunday, October 3–4
• AVP Main Draw Competition

AVP Main Draw
• $250 per team
• Registration opens Monday, June 1 at 9:00 AM PST
• Registration closes Thursday, September 24 at 6:00 PM PST

Registration Deadline
• Thursday, September 24 at 6:00 PM PST

Main Draw Structure
• (20–24) Automatic Entries (based off points)
• (2) Promoter Wild Cards
• (2) Summer Event Bids awarded through local qualifying events
• (4–8) Teams advancing from the on-site qualifier (depending on registration numbers)

Qualifier Information
The qualifier will only be held if more than 32 teams register and will take place Friday, October 2 at East Beach.

Cancellation Policy
No refunds for cancellations within 72 hours of the tournament. Players participate at their own risk.

Wild Card Applications
To apply for a wildcard, please email jordy@805beach.com by September 24 at 6:00 PM PST with:
• Your name
• Partner’s name
• Your top 3 finishes within the past 365 days

Tournament Format
• Two-day Main Draw
• 32 teams per gender
• Modified pool play → single-elimination playoffs

Current Prize Purse
• $40,000 and climbing
• Goal Prize Purse: $60,000
• Men’s Purse: currently $20,000+
• Women’s Purse: currently $20,000+

Estimated Payout Breakdown
• 1st Place Team → $10,000
• 2nd Place → $4,000
• 3rd Place → $2,000
• 5th Place → $500

Women’s Champions
Geena Urango & Mariah Whalen

2nd place
Maya Gessner & Kate Reilly

3rd Place
Falyn Fonoimoana / Lindsey Sparks
Ella Connor / Erin Inskeep

Men’s Champions
Gage Basey & Thomas Hurst

2nd place
Ford Harman & Will Rottman

3rd Place
Robert Kemp & Rouzbeh Rahnavard
John Schwengel & Logan Webber

Santa Barbara has long been a cornerstone of beach volleyball culture. With its scenic coastline, ideal weather, and vibrant community, it’s been both a cradle for emerging players and a gathering place for generations of greats. The sport flourished at East Beach in the 1960s and ’70s, when competitive pickup games evolved into organized tournaments that helped define West Coast beach volleyball. Playing in Santa Barbara felt like heaven—life was rich, and East Beach was magical.

Over the decades, stars from Santa Barbara became Olympians, world champions, and trailblazers. Local legends like Karch Kiraly, Todd Rogers, Dax Holdren, Larry Rundle, Jon Lee, John Hanley, Kathy Gregory, Kathy Hanley, Lisa and Kelly Strand, Anthony Medel, Jay Hanseth, Rich Riffero, and Henry Bergman shaped the sport locally and nationally. Their presence on the sand at East Beach built the foundation for the city’s volleyball legacy—a legacy that continues today.

The Santa Barbara Open carries that legacy forward, blending old-school spirit with community and world-class competition. In partnership with organizations like 805 Beach, Friends of East Beach Association (FOEBA), and Santa Barbara Volleyball Club (SBVC), we’re committed to honoring the sport’s past while investing in its future. More than a tournament, the SBO is a celebration of the community, culture, and champions that make Santa Barbara a true beach-volleyball landmark.