Beach volleyball
Beach Volleyball Note
A short note for indoor players who are also thinking about beach. Rules checked Oct 25, 2026. Rules change, so confirm details on the linked sources and with each school's compliance office. This is general guidance, not legal or eligibility advice.
A separate sport
- NCAA beach volleyball is a women's sport played in the spring, in pairs. All divisions play one National Collegiate championship; the 2027 championship is May 7-9, 2027 in Gulf Shores, Ala.
- Many players play indoor in the fall and beach in the spring at the same school. Ask coaches whether they recruit for one or both.
Limits
- D1 roster limit at House settlement schools: 19 (old aid limit: 6).
- D2: up to 5.0 equivalencies. NAIA: up to 5.
- D1 transfer window: May 9 - June 7, 2027.
Recruiting
Beach recruiting follows the D1 "other sports" contact rules described on the timeline. Our directory lists indoor programs only.
Sources (checked Oct 25, 2026)
- NCAA.org: National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship (May 7-9, 2027, Gulf Shores, AL)
- College Sports Commission: roster limits (men's and women's volleyball 18; old limits 4.5 and 12; women's beach volleyball 19)
- NCAA.org: Division II athletics scholarship equivalency limits (men's volleyball 4.5, women's volleyball 8.0, beach volleyball 5.0)
- NAIA Official & Policy Handbook 2026-27 (Article V, Section H: volleyball aid limit 8, beach volleyball 5, PDF)
- NCAA: DI notification-of-transfer windows, 2026-27 (women's volleyball Dec. 6, 2026 - Jan. 4, 2027; men's volleyball May 9 - June 7, 2027, PDF)
- NCAA: 2026-27 Division I recruiting calendar, other sports incl. men's volleyball (PDF)