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How does Olympic volleyball work? Format, schedule, rules

The Eiffel Tower Stadium, which will host Beach Volleyball during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. (Photo by Julien Mattia/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Indoor and beach volleyball provided excitement and entertainment to the Paris Summer Games starting from the first day.

Indoor volleyball has been an Olympic sport since the 1964 Tokyo Games. Beach volleyball appeared at the 1992 Games in Barcelona as an exhibition sport, but wasn't considered an official sport until four years later in Atlanta.

Though these two sports have obvious similarities, their respective rules are slightly different. Here's everything you need to know about indoor and beach volleyball at the Olympics.


When were beach volleyball matches at the 2024 Olympics?

Competitions began on July 27 and ran until Aug. 10.

When were indoor volleyball matches at the 2024 Olympics?

Competitions began on July 27 and ran until Aug. 11.

What are the rules of Olympic beach volleyball?

Matches are played between two teams of two players on a sand court that's 16 meters long and 8 meters wide.

The first team to win two sets, which are each played to 21 points, wins the match. If a third set is necessary, it is played to 15 points.

What are the rules of Olympic indoor volleyball?

Matches are played between two teams of six players on an indoor court that's 18 meters long and 9 meters wide, slightly bigger than a beach volleyball court. Matches follow a best of five set format. Teams are allowed a maximum of three consecutive touches before they must send the ball over the net and into the opposition's half.

The first team to score 25 points by a two-point margin wins the set. If a fifth set is required, teams play up to 15 points with a winning margin of two still required.

Where were beach volleyball matches at the 2024 Olympics?

The Eiffel Tower Stadium, a temporary arena located at the Champ de Mars, hosted beach volleyball. The stadium will be demolished after the Paris Summer Games.

Where were indoor volleyball matches at the 2024 Olympics?

The South Paris Arena at the Paris Expo, an exhibition and convention center built in 1923, hosted indoor volleyball. Handball, table tennis and weightlifting were also held at the arena.

Who won beach volleyball competitions at the 2024 Summer Olympics?

Men: D. Ahman, J. Hellvig (Sweden)

Women: D. Lisboa, A.P. Ramos (Brazil)

Who won indoor volleyball competitions at the 2024 Summer Olympics?

Men: France

Women: Italy