What’s better than some top-tier competition under the sun? The 2025 NCAA beach volleyball championships are bringing the heat to Gulf Shores, Alabama, this week.
The ninth annual tournament will have 16 of the country’s best programs going head-to-head in a single-elimination tournament over the next couple days.
Historically, Southern California reigns supreme in this competition. Rivals USC and UCLA are the only programs to ever claim titles, with six and two apiece. The Bruins are top-seeded again in 2025, but TCU, Stanford and LMU follow close behind. USC has dropped to No. 5 this season.
Who will become your 2025 champions?
Here’s everything you need to know about the NCAA beach volleyball championships, including schedule, TV channel and streaming options for the annual tournament.
NCAA beach volleyball championships 2025 bracket, schedule
For just the third year, the NCAA beach volleyball tournament will be single-elimination, rather than using an elimination bracket. So once a team loses a match, they’re out.
After expanding to a 17-team playoff last year, the NCAA has reverted to its original 16-team format, without a play-in dual.
Friday, May 2: First round
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| No. 4 LMU 3, No. 13 Florida Atlantic 0 | — | — |
| No. 5 USC 3, No. 12 North Florida 0 | — | — |
| No. 1 UCLA 3, No. 16 Chattanooga 0 | — | — |
| No. 8 Florida State 3, No. 9 Long Beach State 1 | — | — |
| No. 2 TCU vs. No. 15 Georgia State | 1 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN+, Fubo |
| No. 7 Texas vs. No. 10 California | 2 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN+, Fubo |
| No. 3 Stanford vs. No. 14 Boise State | 3 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN+, Fubo |
| No. 6 Cal Poly vs. No. 11 LSU | 4 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN+, Fubo |
Saturday, May 3: Second Round
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 8 Florida State | 10 a.m. | ESPN2, ESPN+, Fubo |
| No. 4 LMU vs. No. 5 USC | 11 a.m. | ESPN2, ESPN+, Fubo |
| TBD vs. TBD | Noon | ESPN2, ESPN+, Fubo |
| TBD vs. TBD | 1 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN+, Fubo |
Saturday, May 3: Semifinals
| Results | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| TBD vs. TBD | 2 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN+, Fubo |
| TBD vs. TBD | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN+, Fubo |
Sunday, May 4: National Championship
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| TBD vs. TBD | 10:30 a.m. | ESPN, ESPN+, Fubo |
NCAA beach volleyball championships TV channel, live streams
- Date: Friday, May 2 – Sunday, May 4
- Location: Gulf Shores Public Beach, Gulf Shores, Alabama
- TV channel: ESPN, ESPN2
- Live stream: ESPN+, Fubo
Each round will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks. The first three rounds will be played on ESPN2, and the championship on ESPN. Every pair playing in each dual will be streamed on ESPN+.
Cord-cutters can also find full coverage on Fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 200+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
List of past NCAA beach volleyball champions
California is queen of the beach. While many schools and conferences from around the country have made it to the tournament, only two have ever won.
Only USC and UCLA, based across town in Los Angeles, have taken the title. Pepperdine, Florida State and UCLA have all finished as runner-up in the tournament.
| Year | School |
| 2024 | USC |
| 2023 | USC |
| 2022 | USC |
| 2021 | USC |
| 2020* | – |
| 2019 | UCLA |
| 2018 | UCLA |
| 2017 | USC |
| 2016 | USC |
*Canceled due to COVID-19
