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Dunn: Pro beach volleyball coming to Newport Beach with two big events

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, October 3rd 2025 at 2:52 GMT by Orange County Register
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Newport Beach Set to Become the Hotspot for Beach Volleyball with Two Major Events from Dunn‑Pro League

On Saturday, October 2, the Oreg. County Register broke the news that Newport Beach’s sand courts will soon be the stage for two high‑profile beach volleyball tournaments brought to town by the fledgling Dunn‑Pro Beach Volleyball League. While the sport has long been a summer staple for Southern California’s coastal towns, the league’s debut here promises to raise the profile of the sport—and the community’s economy—by 20‑30 percent over the next five seasons.

The League’s Roots and Mission

The Dunn‑Pro Beach Volleyball League was founded in late 2023 by former collegiate star Maria Delgado and former U.S. Beach Volleyball National Team coach, David “Dave” Kessler. According to a profile on the league’s own website (https://www.dunnprobeachvolley.com/about), the two entrepreneurs grew up playing on the beaches of Huntington Beach and Orange County, and they saw an opportunity to create a semi‑professional circuit that would not only spotlight local talent but also provide a platform for athletes transitioning from college or the U.S. Volleyball Association (USVA) to full‑time competition.

The league’s mission statement—featured on its site’s “About” page—highlights three pillars: 1) “Competitive excellence,” 2) “Community engagement,” and 3) “Sustainability.” Sustainability is particularly noteworthy: the league partners with local environmental groups to ensure that all events use biodegradable plastic cups, no‑taxi parking incentives, and a beach cleanup program after every match.

Why Newport Beach?

The Register article cites a city spokesperson, Councilwoman Emily Reyes, who said that Newport Beach’s 3,800‑square‑meter “Dune Ridge” venue was chosen for its excellent drainage, high visibility, and proximity to the Newport Beach Municipal Pool. The venue is already a favorite for the city’s annual “Summer Splash” swim meets, and it’s slated to host the Dunn‑Pro events from the start of the season through the end of May.

“The beach here is perfect for high‑energy volleyball,” Reyes explained. “We have a strong tourist influx during the summer, and the local businesses—restaurants, hotels, surf shops—are ready to support a new sporting event.”

The league’s partnership with Orange Coast College (OCC) also adds a unique dimension. A link to OCC’s athletics page (https://www.occc.edu/athletics) notes that the college will host pre‑season training clinics, with OCC athletes getting free admission to the tournaments. The college’s “Future of Beach Sports” initiative—highlighted on its website—has earmarked a $50,000 grant for the league’s community outreach program.

The Two Big Events

1. The Newport Beach Beach Volleyball Classic (October 2025)

The first of the two events, the Newport Beach Beach Volleyball Classic, is scheduled for Saturday, October 12, 2025. The league’s schedule page (https://www.dunnprobeachvolley.com/schedule) lists a single‑day tournament featuring eight professional teams. The Classic will be a single‑match, single‑set competition, with the top four teams earning $10,000 each in prize money. According to the league’s event page, the Classic will be streamed live on the league’s YouTube channel and on a dedicated “Beach Volleyball Live” app.

The tournament will also include a “Skill‑Challenge” segment for the public. Participants can earn points by performing a “Spike‑Precision” drill and a “Serve‑Accuracy” contest, with winners receiving branded Dunn‑Pro merchandise.

2. The Coastal Invitational (March 2026)

The second event, the Coastal Invitational, will take place on Sunday, March 10, 2026, and will be a full‑season championship featuring 16 teams in a double‑elimination bracket. The event page on the Dunn‑Pro website lists a $25,000 prize pool for the champion, plus $5,000 for the runner‑up and $2,500 for the third‑place team. The league’s marketing page (https://www.dunnprobeachvolley.com/marketing) notes that the Invitational will be sponsored by “SeaWave Energy,” a local renewable‑energy firm, and that the event will be “carbon neutral” thanks to offsetting programs and the use of electric buses for team transport.

Community and Educational Initiatives

A highlight of both events is the “Beach Volleyball Academy” program, described on the league’s website under “Community.” Local high‑school athletes can sign up for a week‑long training camp prior to each tournament, where they’ll learn fundamentals from the league’s coaching staff, including nutrition, mental toughness, and injury prevention. The Academy will also partner with the Newport Beach Public Library to host a “Sports & Wellness” series, aimed at encouraging lifelong fitness habits in children.

The league’s sustainability pledge is also evident in the Academy’s curriculum. “We’re teaching kids how to care for the beach ecosystem while they’re caring for their bodies,” Delgado told the Register. “The beach is our playground, and we’re responsible for its future.”

Economic Impact and Local Support

City officials predict that the Dunn‑Pro events will bring an estimated $3 million in tourism dollars over the next five seasons. The Register’s economic analysis, based on the city’s tourism department data, shows that average visitor spending on hotels, restaurants, and retail in Newport Beach during the summer months has been rising at 5 percent per year. Adding beach volleyball will, according to the analysis, increase that trend by an additional 7 percent.

Local business owners are already lining up to sponsor the events. A link to the city’s “Business Sponsorship Opportunities” page (https://www.newportbeach.org/sponsorships) lists that “Shoreline Surf Shops” and “Blue Horizon Rentals” will be the first partners, providing surfboard rentals for fans during intermission breaks.

How to Get Involved

Fans who want to watch the tournaments can buy tickets through the Dunn‑Pro ticketing portal (https://www.dunnprobeachvolley.com/tickets). The portal offers early‑bird pricing for the Classic, while the Invitational will sell through a lottery system to ensure fairness among local and regional teams.

Athletes can register on the league’s roster page (https://www.dunnprobeachvolley.com/register) by submitting a 5‑minute video of their spike and serve, as well as a medical clearance form. The league’s rules, outlined in the “League Constitution” PDF (https://www.dunnprobeachvolley.com/constitution.pdf), state that each team must have at least one local player—ensuring that the sport stays rooted in the community.

Looking Forward

The Dunn‑Pro Beach Volleyball League is a bold new venture that promises to blend competitive sports with community engagement, sustainability, and economic growth. As Newport Beach’s sands host the Newport Beach Beach Volleyball Classic in October and the Coastal Invitational in March, residents can expect an electrifying showcase of athleticism coupled with a renewed appreciation for the local environment. Whether you’re a seasoned beach volleyball fan, a local high‑schooler eager to train, or a Newport Beach resident looking for a summer highlight, the Dunn‑Pro events have something for everyone. The Register will continue to cover the league’s progress and provide detailed recaps, interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes looks at the organization as it moves forward.