Culver City Observer -

The AVP Manhattan Beach Open, presented by Acer, is set for August 13-16 just south of the Manhattan Beach Pier. In addition to top-notch competition, the 56th annual tournament promises to offer four days filled with activities surrounding the courts.

General admission to the AVP Manhattan Beach Open presented by Acer is free. For the first time in the history of the tournament, the AVP will offer an elevated experience in its premiere VIP Skybox which will debut at the upcoming Manhattan Beach Open.

Offering panoramic views of the shoreline, pier and center court, the beach-chic Skybox seating area includes full hospitality, access to a beer and wine bar, and lounge style seating. Courtside Box Seats will be available for fans who want to enjoy the tournament up close and in style. Fans interested in purchasing VIP ticket packages are encouraged to register now to receive presale information by going to the ticketing page at http://www.avp.com.

The 56th AVP Manhattan Beach Open is the longest-running continuous tournament in the history of beach volleyball and is regarded as the tour’s most prestigious and popular event. It will feature an expanded field of 32 men’s and 32 women’s main-draw teams and an open qualifier without a cap on the number of teams eligible to register continuing a tradition that has been a highlight of summer in the South Bay since 1960.

Adding to the excitement surrounding the tournament, teams emerging as champions from AVPNext developmental series tournaments in eight different regions across the United States will be awarded wild-card berths into the main draw of the Manhattan Beach Open. AVPNext regional champions will be determined by August 2.

August 13 will feature open qualifying tournaments for men and women, with eight teams from each gender advancing to main-draw play. As the qualifiers progress, the tournament will roll out the red carpet to host its annual Walk of Fame Pier Ceremony on the Manhattan Beach Pier, in which defending women’s champions Kerri Walsh Jennings (the all-time record holder with seven Manhattan Beach Open victories) and April Ross (who won her first Manhattan Beach Open in 2014), as well as defending men’s champions Phil Dalhausser (a four-time champion) and Sean Rosenthal (a two-time champion), will unveil the bronze plaques bearing their names that will be permanently etched into the pier. This event is free to attend and will be followed by a ticketed VIP reception in which attendees can mingle with the Manhattan Beach Open Champions of past and present as well as AVP Tour stars.

The Manhattan Beach Open has also partnered with the City of Manhattan Beach to host one of the reoccurring movie nights which will be free for all to attend. The movie will be shown on the big screen at stadium court, and all are encouraged to bring their family, friends, beach chairs and towels to enjoy an entertaining evening in one of summer’s most picturesque settings. Movie night will be held on August 14 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. and includes a kids’ clinic and parents’ happy hour hosted in the VIP Skybox area after the conclusion of play on that day (tickets can be purchased online at http://www.avp.com). August 16 will feature a Manhattan Beach Open Legends match, including some of the greatest professional players to ever compete in the legendary Manhattan Beach Open tournament.

Main-draw play will be contested from Friday, August 14 to Sunday, August 16. The tournament will be broadcast live Sunday, August 16 on NBC from 1:30-3:00 p.m. PT, with additional coverage of the tournaments being streamed live online at http://www.AVP.com.

Before the tournament officially kicks off, there will be an AVP First Manhattan Beach Junior Invitational youth league tournament on August 11 - 12. More information is available at http://avp.com/avp-first/.

The AVP Manhattan Beach Open is the fourth event on the AVP’s 2015 schedule, which also includes events in New Orleans, New York City, Seattle, Chicago, Cincinnati, and Huntington Beach.