Crete steps into the spotlight of international sports once again, this time hosting the prestigious CEV Beach Volley European Cup Final from November 6 to 9 at TUI Magic Life Candia Maris,member of the Metaxa Hospitality Group, in Heraklion.

The tournament promises thrilling matches and high-level action, bringing together top European teams on the sand. At the same time, it boosts sports tourism and showcases Crete on an international level. The tournament is part of the official international calendar and is held under the auspices of the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV), with the co-organization of the Region of Crete, the Hellenic Volleyball Federation, the Municipality of Malevizi, and Metaxa Hospitality Group.

European Cup is an interclub European competition where clubs from various countries represent their national championships on the international stage. Participation is based on the teams’ performance in their domestic leagues, which are officially recognized by the Confederation. The men’s and women’s teams that will compete in the tournament’s qualifying stage have already been confirmed.

The full list of qualifiers includes teams from the following 24 national federations: Azerbaijan, Armenia, England, Austria, Belgium, Northern Ireland, France, Georgia, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Hungary, Ukraine, Croatia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and Turkey. The vast majority of national federations will participate with both genders, while Armenia, Czech Republic, England, Netherlands, and Switzerland will only compete in the men’s category. Lithuania, on the other hand, will participate exclusively in the women’s category.

Specifically, the champion team Azerrail from Azerbaijan returns to the European stage aiming to defend the historic double-title win achieved last year in Montpellier. The Greek club 4 Sports Club Athens, representing our country, has already secured its place in the final stage. The remaining finalists, seven clubs per gender, will emerge from the qualifying phase. This is scheduled for late September and early October, with the venues and group compositions to be announced early next week.

International visitors, new opportunities, growth for the island

The hosting of European Cup in Crete is expected to bring significant benefits at both local and national levels. The presence of athletes, coaches, and fans from around the world will boost tourism, extending the tourist season and creating demand for hospitality, dining, and transportation. At the same time, the international promotion of the country highlights Greece as a top sports tourism destination and strengthens its ability to host more international sporting events.

Extension of the island’s tourist season

TUI Magic Life Candia Maris and Metaxa Hospitality Group reaffirm their commitment to sports tourism, offering the infrastructure, expertise, and experience required to host high-level international events such as the CEV European Cup, following the successful organization of the Nations Cup in May. With the support of the Region of Crete, the Hellenic Volleyball Federation, and the Municipality of Malevizi, Crete proves its capability to host top-tier European sporting events, positioning the island as a global destination for sports tourism.

Another major beach volleyball event comes to Greece, and it would not have been possible without the contribution of Technical Director Vangelis Polimeropoulos through the Best Sports Marketing Agency in Greece, ActiveMedia Group.

About TUI MAGIC LIFE Candia Maris and Metaxa Hospitality Group

TUI MAGIC LIFE Candia Maris, a member of the Metaxa Hospitality Group, is a 5* resort located on the beach of Ammoudara, close to the city of Heraklion and the international airport. The resort is designed for guests aged 16 and over, with a primary focus on entertainment and wellness.

Metaxa Hospitality Group is a leading Greek group of authentic hospitality services that celebrates 50 years of uninterrupted operation this year. Recognized as the "Best Hospitality Group in Greece" by the World Travel Awards 2021 - 2024, it operates luxury resorts and 5-star hotels with more than 1,100 beds in Crete (Creta Maris Resort, TUI Magic Life Candia Maris) and Santorini (Santo Collection Resorts & Villas). It was founded in Crete in 1975 by the late Nikolaos Metaxas. His legacy is carried on by his family, led by Mr. Andreas Metaxas, who has guided the Group into a new era of dynamic growth. The Group, recognized with dozens of international awards and certifications, operates according to the principles of Sustainable Development, where employees, the local community and visitors are at the heart of its activities.https://www.metaxahospitality.gr