A year after captivating audiences at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, beach volleyball made a triumphant comeback to the French capital. A vibrant public festival welcomed fans globally, alongside Olympic champions and athletes like Ana Patricia Silva Ramos, Eduarda Santos Lisboa (Duda), Arnaud Gauthier-Rat, and his new partner Téo Rotar.
The event saw the attendance of notable dignitaries, including International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry, Honorary Life President Thomas Bach, IOC Member and former Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, and French Minister Delegate for Sports Marie Barsacq. The delegation engaged with the beach volleyball Olympians and FIVB representatives. Tony Estanguet and Anne Hidalgo received a replica of the acclaimed painting by British artist Peter Spens, originally from Paris 2024.
From July 25 to 27, 2025, the FIVB, in collaboration with the City of Paris and the French Volleyball Federation (FFvolley), organized a three-day event at Paris City Hall. This highlighted the city`s ongoing commitment to its Olympic legacy.
The Eiffel Tower Stadium, the site of the Olympic beach volleyball events, was celebrated as one of the Games` most iconic venues, known for its festive and vibrant atmosphere. The recent festival successfully recreated this spirit, bringing the sport to the heart of Paris in an accessible and inclusive environment.
As part of Paris`s wider summer sports initiative, three beach volleyball courts have been active daily since July 12 and will continue operating until August 20. The City Hall festival was a key highlight of this program, featuring a diverse range of activities designed to engage both residents and tourists.
Over the three days, thousands participated, enjoying introductory volleyball sessions, informal matches, and family-oriented games. The courts were continuously occupied from dawn till dusk, with some enthusiastic fans arriving as early as 3:30 AM and staying for the entire day.
A community 4×4 tournament, involving 32 teams, was held on Saturday afternoon, providing spectators with an opportunity to meet the Olympic athletes. The stars participated in exhibition matches and interacted with fans, rekindling the distinctive ambiance of last summer`s Games.
The event also featured a cultural aspect: a collaborative art project overseen by renowned artist and Olympian Slaven Dizdarević. The public was invited to craft unique artworks by cutting and assembling discarded volleyball pieces. Over two days, 103 distinct pieces were created by participants of all ages, which the artist will now integrate into a single large-scale installation.
By transforming a historically significant Parisian location into a hub for sport and community, the festival powerfully illustrated beach volleyball`s remarkable ability to unite individuals through shared experiences.
As Paris continues to foster the legacy of the Olympic Games, beach volleyball stands as a brilliant emblem of the Olympic spirit and an unforgettable reminder of an exceptional Olympic beach volleyball competition.
