All roads lead to Weymouth for summer's first Grand Slam event

In its 43rd year, it is one of just two Grand Slam events (out of 300) during the UK Beach Tour summer season, with the Bournemouth Grand Slam (4th to 6th September) the other. 

The Dorset-based extravaganza will be staged at the Pavilion end of the beach and will include a Centre Court which provides free seating for 150 in a covered grandstand. 

A bar will be situated at one end of the Centre Court and there will be commentary and music to entertain the crowd throughout the weekend programme. 

Returning as Lead sponsors for 2026 are We Are Weymouth and Ultra Maritime. 

“We're incredibly excited to be returning to Weymouth for another fantastic week of beach volleyball,” said Jake Sheaf, CEO of the UK Beach Tour. 

“Every year the event continues to grow, and 2026 represents another major step forward with the addition of the Ultra Maritime Crown Services Championships and the continuation of the Corporate Beach Volleyball Challenge.” 

"We're also incredibly grateful to Ultra Maritime and We Are Weymouth for their support. Their investment enables us to continue growing the event and delivering an unforgettable week of beach volleyball on one of the UK's most spectacular beaches." 

For the first time in 2026, things get underway on Wednesday with the National Crowns Beach tournament. 

It will see teams representing The Services, including the Army, Navy , RAF, Police and Prison Service go up against each other, starting at 10am ahead of a late afternoon final. 

On Thursday evening, the traditional Corporate Event – organised by Weymouth Round Table – will see 24 local businesses battling it out for the title.  

The qualifying event for the Grand Slam follows on Friday afternoon, where 16 teams will compete in the Men’s and Women’s competitions bidding to be the final two sides to go into Saturday’s main draw. 

The qualifier includes local three local teams, including Ryan Stout teaming up with England U17 international Tali Rees-Tomkins, Liam Tewkesbury playing alongside James Bibby and Charlie Chambers sharing the court with Immy Hollands. 

Play in the Grand Slam main draw starts at 9am on Saturday morning and the final group matches concluding at around 7pm on Saturday evening. 

Sunday will commence with the quarter-Finals in both men’s and women’s draws, building to a climax with the women’s final at 3pm, followed by the men. 

In the women’s line-up there are three teams standing out as possible winners. 

Katie Keefe (pictured above) who won in Weymouth in 2024 has now teamed up with Kirsty Star, and they are currently ranked as the UK’s number one-ranked side. 

But the NEVZA Beach England 2026 silver medallists won’t have it all their own way, as fellow England players, Alice Jagielska and Isabelle Tucker, who reached the Last 12 of Beach Pro Tour Futures Bridlington, will be looking to push them all the way, 

Also strong contenders will be Scottish internationals Mel Coutts and Lynn Beattie, who have twice been winners at Weymouth. 

In the men’s event, the number one seeds are England duo are double Bridlington 2026 medal winner Niko Gleed (pictured top) and Peter Soczewka. 

Other challengers are expected to include Scottish pairing Ben McHardy and Euan Fraser and 2004 winner Piero Muller, who is playing alongside Andrea Maggio. 

 Find out more details about the event on the Weymouth club website here.