SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, October 12, 2026.– The NORCECA Beach Volleyball Commission held its annual meeting virtually, reviewing the Continental Tour’s competition systems and regulations, qualification processes for major international events, and proposals aimed at strengthening organization and expanding national federation participation during the 2027 season.
Commission President Ed Drakich led the meeting, which also featured contributions from NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz and Vice President Ariel Sainz Rodríguez. Together with Commission members, they exchanged proposals to improve competition systems and strengthen the development of beach volleyball throughout the Confederation.
In his welcoming remarks, Marte Hoffiz thanked Commission members for their commitment and acknowledged their efforts during a challenging year. He highlighted the stability and growth of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, emphasizing the importance of continuing to work together to increase the sport’s popularity.
He also expressed interest in expanding the number of Tour hosts, including the possibility of adding a stop in Antigua and Barbuda in 2027, with the support of the ECVA Zonal Association.
Drakich, for his part, congratulated NORCECA and its staff for organizing one of the largest and most consistently held beach volleyball tours in the world, recognizing the effort required to maintain a competitive calendar for national federations.
One of the main topics discussed was the Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament, scheduled for November 5-9 at the Areia Sports Complex in Ponce, Puerto Rico, which will feature 16 men’s teams and, so far, 15 women’s teams.
NORCECA is working to include one additional women’s team to complete the 16-team field required under FIVB regulations, including offering financial assistance to facilitate its participation.
The tournament will award direct qualification to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games to the men’s and women’s champion pairs, securing their Olympic berths two years in advance, in accordance with the qualification system established by the FIVB.
The competition will be conducted under strict technical and organizational protocols, with FIVB supervision, the use of the video challenge system, coaches permitted on the benches, and the participation of neutral international referees and NORCECA referees. A training seminar for referees, led by an FIVB referee instructor, will also be held ahead of the tournament
Regarding the Lima 2027 Pan American Games, it was explained that the United States has already qualified in both genders through the Asunción Junior Pan American Games. The remaining seven berths allocated to NORCECA will be determined through accumulated points in the continental rankings during the 2026 season, with a December 31 cutoff date.
Ariel Sainz Rodríguez presented a report on the beach volleyball competition at the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, highlighting the sport’s development, NORCECA’s organizational capabilities, and the modern facilities used during the competition, which represent an important legacy for beach volleyball in the Dominican Republic.
However, he noted that the requested participation of 24 teams was not achieved, stressing the importance of national federations strengthening their efforts through their respective Olympic committees to ensure broader representation.
The Commission also discussed the qualification system implemented for these Games, which required Colombia and Venezuela to participate in the 2025 NORCECA Tour to accumulate ranking points. It was noted that Colombia did not compete on the Tour, affecting its chances of qualification.
Marte Hoffiz emphasized the significance of the Central American and Caribbean Games for the region’s federations, particularly those in the Caribbean, describing the Games as one of their most important multisport platforms.
Regarding the NORCECA Tour, the Commission reviewed the results of the new competition system implemented in 2026 and progress in applying clearer regulations aligned with FIVB standards. These adjustments were recognized for helping reduce disputes and improve tournament organization.
Among the proposals discussed was the refinement of registration procedures, with more clearly defined deadlines for confirming each country’s first team and subsequently determining whether a second team may be included, while prioritizing broader participation among national federations.
The Commission also examined the importance of receiving official confirmations and participants’ travel itineraries on time to facilitate planning and improve organizational efficiency at each Tour stop.
Regarding the 2027 calendar, NORCECA continues working closely with national federations to determine Tour venues and dates, with the expectation of having an official schedule available by March at the latest, allowing teams to plan their preparation and competition programs accordingly.
NORCECA reaffirmed its commitment to providing financial support for the Continental Tour and continuing to improve its competition systems, with the aim of expanding participation opportunities and promoting the growth of beach volleyball throughout the Confederation.