Hamburg, Germany, May 3, 2016 - The FIVB is pleased to confirm that Hamburg will join the Swatch FIVB Major Series family, which also includes the Porec Major, Gstaad Major and A1 Major Klagenfurt in 2016. The smart Major Hamburg will welcome the world's best beach volleyball players from June 7 to 12 for what is the last FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour event in the qualification process for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° said: “With Hamburg joining the Beach Major family, it provides a great opportunity for fans to see the world’s top beach volleyball athletes as they get a last chance to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. I look forward to what promises to be a great event in Germany, organised in collaboration with Beach Majors GmbH.”
Speaking at a press conference in Hamburg earlier today, German Volleyball Federation President Thomas Krohne said: "The German Volleyball Federation is very happy about raising the profile [of the event] and joining the Swatch FIVB Major Series family."
The smart Major Hamburg will take place at the Am Rothenbaum stadium. "Just sensational," was the verdict of London 2012 Olympic Games gold medallist Jonas Reckermann.
smart Head of Marketing Communications and Brand Manager Michael Schaller said: "For us it was also a big surprise. This means the event will become even more attractive and reaches out to a far bigger international audience."
A wonderful challenge lies in store for German teams playing on home sand, including Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst. "To play in front of fans for the tickets to Rio makes it something very special," said Ludwig.
Beach Majors GmbH CEO Hannes Jagerhofer said: "Our new location absolutely amazes me. Germany is and will remain a core country for beach volleyball. Frank Mackerodt and his team are doing a great job! I am sure that the smart Major Hamburg will bring us lots of joy!"
The 2015/2016 World Tour now includes four Swatch FIVB Major Series events, four FIVB World Tour Grand Slam events, 14 Open events and a World Tour Finals event at dates and a venue to be confirmed. The season also includes the beach volleyball tournament at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games which is set to be one of the signature events of the Summer Games in Brazil.