The FIVB and Sportworx are excited to announce the September launch of the King of the Court Crown Series 2018.
Top international teams will compete in four iconic beach volleyball locations around the world, and with a total prize purse of US$ 450,000 and a new highly-coveted title at stake play will be fast and furious. The series will engage and inspire athletes, fans and the media throughout the back-to-back tournaments.
The Series will consist of four stages that will run consecutively and were picked for their outstanding facilities and importance to the international beach volleyball community. Floodlit arenas in high-end stadium settings will also add to the significance and drama of the events:
| 07 | Sep 2018 | Utrecht, Netherlands | Jaarbeursplein |
| 08 | Sep 2018 | Belgium | Location t.b.c. |
| 14-16 | Sep 2018 | Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, USA | Fort deRussy, Waikiki |
| 22-23 | Sep 2018 | Huntington Beach, CA, USA | Huntington Beach Pier |
King of the Court has long been known as a training game but for the first time in the history of the sport Sportworx has created a pro-level competition, sanctioned by the FIVB. The format was finalized by Sportworx and a collaboration of players, the FIVB and AVP after a trial event, in June 2017, in Utrecht, Netherlands. “For us, the King of the Court trial event in Utrecht was the highlight of 2017,” said Dutch former World Champions and Olympic bronze medalists, Robert Meeuwsen and Alexander Brouwer. “It is a mix of sport and show and is much harder and more tactical to play than regular beach volleyball.”
“We love beach volleyball and want to contribute to its future,” adds Wilco Nijland, COO at Sportworx and creator of the King of the Court Crown Series. “We believe our elimination-style beach volleyball race will deliver an engaging action-packed experience for both players and fans”.
The series will be invitation only, with some of the world’s leading players already committed, including American legend Casey Patterson. “I’m excited that the King of the Court Crown Series is coming together and that I will be a part of these four amazing events,” said Casey. “King of the Court is fast, spectacular and great entertainment.”
The European leg will involve 15 of the best men’s teams, while at the AVP Hawai’i Invitational, on the world-famous Duke Kahanamoku Beach fronting the Hilton Hawaiian Village and Fort DeRussy in Waikiki, 15 top men’s teams will be joined by 15 of the best women’s. At Huntington Pier, 20 men’s and 20 women’s teams will fight it out to be the best in the sand, with both events organized in collaboration with the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP).
“We are thrilled to join forces with Sportworx to bring the King of the Court Crown Series to the U.S. – a unique and fun concept that not only represents the lifestyle of the sport, but more importantly offers increased opportunities for our athletes,” says Donald Sun, managing partner, AVP. “We kicked off the 2018 season with a successful collaboration in Huntington Beach with the FIVB, and to conclude the season with this FIVB-sanctioned event is a perfect way in further growing our relationship with our international counterparts.”
Here’s how the King of the Court Crown Series works: It’s not the usual two teams against each other, but five (respectively four and three) teams face each other simultaneously in a rotation system. There’s a Challenger’s and a King’s side. Challengers serve, and points can only be scored at the King’s side. If the Kings win a rally, they get one point and stay in their kingdom. If they lose, they’re out and are sent to the back of line of waiting teams. Challengers then move into the King’s end to face the next team. The team with the least points on the buzzer is out.
All this happens to a ticking clock, adding another level of excitement to King of the Court tournaments: Round one and finals lasts max. twenty minutes, while round two lasts sixteen. In the finals, the first team to reach 15 points wins or whoever has the highest score after 20 minutes. The entire final round is blazed in sixty minutes of fast and furious play. It’s a revolution in beach volleyball.
FACTS & FIGURES
- Number of teams: 15/20
- Number of rounds: 3
- Number of matches (based on 15 teams): 18
- Total playing time of finals: 60 min
- Total playing time of whole tournament: approx. 6 hrs
- Total prizemoney of the King of the Court Crown Series: US$ 450,000
- The 2018 events are not contributing points to the FIVB ranking lists.
- Live TV & streaming
- Website: kingofthecourt.com (live 12th June)
- Instagram: kingofthecourtbeachvolley
- Facebook: kingofthecourtbeachvolley
MORE INFORMATION ON THE COMPETITION FORMAT
3 Rounds
Always 3 matches per group – first 5 teams, then down to 4 and down to 3.
5-teams-matches lasts 20 min, lowest score is out.
4-teams-matches last 16 min, lowest score is out.
3-teams-matches are first to 15 points wins or highest score after 20 min.
Group phase
3 groups with 5 teams = 15 teams in total
Top 3 of all 3 groups + highest scoring 4th from 2nd match (4-teams-matches) advance to semi finals
Eliminating 5 of the 15 teams.
Semi Finals
2 semi finals with 5 teams each = 10 teams
Again 3 matches per semi final
Eliminating 5 of the 10 teams – top 2 of each semi-final + highest-scoring 3rd from both semis advance to finals
Finals
5 teams, 3 matches
Eliminating lowest-scoring teams in first 2 matches – going to 3 teams in final match.
First to 15 points wins or highest score after 20 min.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
For all media inquiries:
Bernhard Ritzer
Email: bernhard@sportworx.nl
Ph: +31 611 428 876
For all inquiries from players, federations & potential future event organizers:
Wilco Nijland
Email: wilco@sportworx.nl
Ph: +31 611 079 439
About Sportworx
Sportworx is a new breed of sports company. We love sports and sport makes us tick. Founded in 2017 and centrally based in Utrecht, Netherlands, we work with leading international sports organizations to develop new and exciting formats to push the boundaries in performance and entertainment.
We aim to build long-term relationships to be able to establish real change and impact with the events we organize on a global level. We work with and for federations, athletes and brands to inspire the worldwide sports audience and media. We are investing in our ideas to showcase what the future of sports can look like. We are the stakeholder’s right arm and support them in their endeavors to develop the sport and create unforgettable and innovative sports experiences for athletes and audiences alike and inspire future sports generations through passion, innovation and perfection.
About FIVB
The FIVB is the governing body responsible for all forms of volleyball on a global level. Working closely with National Federations and private enterprises the FIVB aims to develop volleyball as a major world media and entertainment sport through world-class planning and organization of competitions, marketing and development activities. The FIVB is part of the Olympic Movement, contributing to the success of the Olympic Games.
About AVP
Established in 1983, the AVP (Association of Volleyball has a 35-year rich history creating, staging, and marketing some of the most innovative and engaging sporting events in North America and has been the home of some of the most respected athletes in professional sports, including: gold medalists Karch Kiraly, Kent Steffes, Misty May-Treanor, and Todd Rogers.
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