The sun is out, the sand is warm, and excuses not to play are running out fast. May 2026: The outdoor season is officially underway, Berlin is back with tournaments in the sand, and three German teams just competed at the world’s best Elite16 in Brazil. Here’s your full update – as of 03.05.2026.

What’s in store today:

• Berlin/Brandenburg: Outdoor season kickoff & Youth Series
• Germany: German Beach Tour – the starting gun fired this week in Düsseldorf!
• Worldwide: Elite16 Brasilia – Germany right in the thick of world-class action

Berlin/Brandenburg: The Sand is Hot – and So is the Season

Late April, early May – this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Not because of the public holidays (though time off is never a bad thing), but because Berlin’s beach community is finally playing outside again. No jacket. No indoor hall. No that strange echo that makes every block sound like an explosion in a gymnasium. No more asking yourself: will it be freezing, or can I make it home without catching a cold?

The good news: tournament season is on. If you don’t yet have an overview of current Berlin and Brandenburg tournaments, open a new tab right now: beachvolleybb.de is the central hub for all ranking events in the region.

👦👧 Youth Beach Series kicks off: 16 May – 13 June

Special news for anyone who knows young beach volleyball talent: the Volleyball Association Berlin and INCHEZplus are jointly launching a Youth Beach Series at BeachMitte from 16 May to 13 June. Tournaments will be held over five Saturdays in two age groups (U12–U14 and U15–U18). If you have a teenager at home who’d rather have sand in their shoes than socks – this is their invitation!

☀️ Outdoor reality check for those making the switch:
Moving from indoor to outdoor can sometimes feel like a completely different game. Wind instead of air conditioning. Sunshine instead of fluorescent lights. Drifting sand instead of marked lines. Don’t stress – after 3–5 games you’ll be fully back in the groove. Guaranteed. And if you’d like a more structured transition: our camps are made exactly for that.

🎉 Fun Tournaments at BeachMitte: Simple. Always. Every Weekend.

For everyone who doesn’t need ranking points but still wants to get a taste of tournament play: BeachMitte offers fun tournaments almost every weekend – with a minimum of 4 games guaranteed plus a challenge court afterwards. No DVV card required, no complicated registration process. Just show up and play. That’s how sport should be.

More info on venues, facilities and booking options across Berlin: Our outdoor overview

🇩🇪 Germany: The German Beach Tour is Here – and Düsseldorf Leads the Way

Quick question: where are Germany’s best beach teams playing this week? Answer: on the banks of the Rhine in Düsseldorf, right below the iconic Rheinterrasse. The German Beach Tour 2026 has officially kicked off!

GBT 2026 – all stops at a glance:

• 🌊 Düsseldorf: 7–10 May & 14–17 May (happening right now!)
• 🏙️ Berlin (Funkhaus Beach): 4–7 June & 11–14 June
• 🍺 Munich: 2–5 July & 9–12 July
• ⚓ Hamburg: 6–9 August & 13–16 August
• 🏆 German Championships – in Dortmund for the very first time

🙌 Berlin in June – Funkhaus Beach is the Place to Be

Particularly exciting for us Berliners: on 4 June, the GBT comes to town – at Funkhaus Beach. If you don’t know the Funkhaus yet: it’s one of the coolest venues in Berlin, worth a visit on its own. Add beach volleyball on top? Unmissable.

Pro tip: When you go to the GBT, don’t just watch the ball. Pay attention to how top teams communicate before every contact – hand signals, eye contact, subtle positioning shifts. It’s a free tactics seminar, live right in front of you.

Tickets and dates: tickets.germanbeachtour.de

🎸 Hamburg in August: When Elite and GBT Collide

And then there’s the absolute season highlight: in Hamburg in August, an Elite16 Beach Pro Tour event will run back-to-back with a GBT stop – two weekends, one location, maximum beach intensity. That’s tournament prep for the pros and a fan festival for the rest of us. Tickets also available on the GBT website.

🌎 Worldwide: Elite16 Brasilia – Germany Steps Up on the World Stage

While we in Berlin are still sorting out season passes and tournament entry forms, Germany’s professionals were playing last week in the Brazilian capital – at the Elite16 in Brasilia (29 April – 3 May 2026), one of the highest-prize Beach Pro Tour events around (USD 400,000 in prize money, in case anyone needs extra motivation).

Three German teams competed:

• 🥇 Sandra Ittlinger / Anna Grüne – directly seeded into the main draw
• 🏐 Lea Kunst / Melanie Paul – also directly seeded
• 💪 Max Just / Lui Wüst – had to come through qualifying

Interesting side note: the Ittlinger/Grüne team now competes internationally under their first names – “Sandra/Anna” – as is common on the world stage. Small detail, but somehow charming: first names instead of surnames. On the sand, everyone knows each other.

Due to Wickler’s shoulder injury, Ehlers/Wickler were unable to compete in the first months of 2026. According to a recent interview, Wickler is currently in rehabilitation training and at around 60% by his own estimation – their first planned international tournament is the Elite16 in Ostrava at the end of May.

Why this matters for recreational players:
Watching an Elite16 with USD 400,000 in prize money and the world’s best teams isn’t just entertainment – it’s the best free coaching available anywhere. Livestreams on YouTube @beachvolleyballworld and volleyballworld.tv. Spend one evening watching and you’ll suddenly play with a little more intention. No magic – just inspiration.

🇵🇱 European Championships in Poland – the Next Big Thing

If you’re planning your summer: the CEV EuroBeachVolley 2026 takes place from 12–16 August in Poland. Germany traditionally fields strong teams. Add the Elite16 in Hamburg shortly before – August 2026 is going to be loud.

🗓️ Your Playbook for the Next 4 Weeks

☀️ Want to play outdoors?
Drop in on open courts or fun tournaments at BeachMitte. All locations: this way

📺 Want to watch pro beach?
GBT Düsseldorf is live right now. Berlin stop early June at Funkhaus. Livestream via Spontent/Twitch.

📈 Want to improve?
Pick 1–2 specific skills for May (e.g. float serve, passing in the wind) – then watch pro videos with exactly that focus.

More info on courts, indoor/outdoor options, training and the player matchboard at berlin-beachvolleyball.de. Got a topic you’d like us to deep-dive next? Drop us a quick message!