Doha, Qatar to host men’s FIVB Beach Volleyball Open

The first of two tournaments for men this year and one of eleven FIVB Open events on the 2014 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour schedule, Doha, Qatar will present the inaugural FIVB Qatar Open from November 4 to 8. It will be the first time that Doha has hosted a FIVB World Tour event.

This event is a direct result of the directives of the new FIVB administration to expand the scope and the reach of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour. The expansion provides significantly increased participation levels from more countries around the world that are developing pro beach volleyball programmes within the framework of their respective national federations.

The eleven FIVB Beach Volleyball Opens on the 2014 FIVB World Tour include seven double-gender, two men-only and two women-only tournaments, adding numerous possibilities for athletes to compete in high quality, FIVB international competition. Over the course of the year more Open events could be added to the schedule, ensuring that all five Confederations will host a FIVB event in 2014.

The 2014 FIVB World Ranking system will include FIVB Beach Volleyball Grand Slam and Open events along with additional pre-approved events at the inter-continental, continental and national levels.

Doha is the capital city of the state of Qatar located on the coast of the Persian Gulf and has a population of over 1 million. It is Qatar's largest city, with over 60% of the nation's population residing in Doha or its surrounding suburbs, and is also the economic center of the country. Doha serves as the seat of government of Qatar and is home to the Education City, an area devoted to research and education.

The city has held the largest ever Asian Games in 2006, the 2011 Pan Arab Games and the 2011 AFC Asian Cup and will welcome the FIFA World Cup in 2022. The World Petroleum Council held the 20th World Petroleum Conference in Doha in December 2011.

Implemented in 2013, the format of all the FIVB Beach Volleyball international tournaments – whether FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships, FIVB Beach Volleyball Grand Slam or FIVB Beach Volleyball Open – are the same, featuring pool play followed by single elimination knockout rounds.