How to Qualify for the 2028 Olympics: FIVB Confirms Qualification System
The road to Los Angeles 2028 is set: the world’s top volleyball and beach volleyball teams are beginning their quest for Olympic quota places.
The qualification systems for volleyball and beach volleyball at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles have been officially approved following endorsement by the IOC Executive Board and the FIVB Board of Administration.
From July 14 to 30, 2028, volleyball and beach volleyball will once again be among the key sporting events at the Olympic Games. The beach volleyball tournaments will take place at Alamitos Beach in Long Beach.
The indoor volleyball matches will be held at the Honda Center, a leading sports and entertainment venue that promises an unforgettable Olympic atmosphere.
Indoor Volleyball Qualification System
A total of 24 teams will compete in the volleyball tournaments at LA28 — 12 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams. As the host nation, the United States will automatically receive one quota place in each gender category.
The qualification system includes three main pathways:
1. Continental Championships (5 quota places per gender)
The road to LA28 begins with the 2026 Continental Championships, which will be held across all five continental confederations. The winner of each championship — one men’s team and one women’s team from each confederation — will earn an Olympic quota place. This means five places for men and five for women.
2. Volleyball World Championships (3 quota places per gender)
Further opportunities to secure Olympic places will be available at the 2027 FIVB Volleyball World Championships. The women’s tournament will be co-hosted by the United States and Canada, while the men’s tournament will take place in Poland. The three highest-ranked teams in each gender category that have not yet qualified will earn places at LA28.
3. FIVB World Ranking (3 quota places per gender)
The final quota places will be allocated according to the FIVB World Ranking following the conclusion of the preliminary phase of the 2028 Volleyball Nations League.
The three highest-ranked teams in each gender category that have not yet qualified will secure their places through this pathway.
Beach Volleyball Qualification System
A total of 48 teams will compete in beach volleyball — 24 men’s teams and 24 women’s teams. Each National Olympic Committee (NOC) may enter a maximum of two teams per gender. As the host nation, the United States will automatically receive one quota place in each category, with the opportunity to earn a second place through the regular qualification process.
Qualification includes four pathways:
1. Continental Qualification (5 quota places per gender)
The first opportunity will come through the 2026 Continental Championships or Continental Tour Finals. In each of the five continental confederations, the men’s and women’s winners will earn one quota place each, for a total of 10 places.
2. World Championship (1 quota place per gender)
At the 2027 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in the Netherlands, one quota place per gender will be awarded to the world champions, subject to the limit of a maximum of two quota places per NOC.
3. Olympic Ranking (14 quota places per gender)
The largest number of places — 14 for men and 14 for women — will be allocated through the Olympic Ranking List, which will close in 2028. The exact date will be announced later.
4. Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) (3 quota places per gender)
The final qualification pathway is the Olympic Qualifier Series, which will award three places in each gender category. Further details will be announced in 2026.
