Nations Cup Beach Volleyball Is Coming At TUI Magic Life Candia Maris On May 16-18

One of the most prestigious international beach volleyball competitions in the world, Nations Cup, is coming for the first time to TUI Magic Life Candia Maris of Metaxa Hospitality Group, in Crete, on May 16-18, 2025.

The top sporting event is held under the auspices of the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) and the corresponding Hellenic Volleyball Federation with the co-organization of the Region of Crete, the Municipality of Malevizi, and Metaxa Hospitality Group, in order to promote Crete as a global sporting and tourist destination.

Nations Cup particularly promotes team spirit, as athletes do not compete as individual pairs, as is usually the case in traditional tournaments, but represent their national teams. Each country participates with two pairs, which compete in an innovative system of competition where collective effort and strategy determine the winner.

This year, athletes from six countries will participate in the top sporting event that promotes the development of the sport. In the men's category, the national teams of the Netherlands, Hungary, Luxembourg, and Greece will compete, while in the women's category, the teams of Poland, Estonia, and Greece will be represented. The event enhances competitiveness at a global level and showcases the talent of athletes who transcend borders, bringing the public closer to powerful sporting moments.

The 5-star hotel of the Metaxa Hospitality Group, TUI Magic Life Candia Maris, which will host the Nations Cup next month, has state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure of international standards, while it is located in an excellent seaside location in the area of Amoudara, just 5 kilometres from the centre of Heraklion.

By co-organizing and hosting the Nations Cup, Metaxa Hospitality Group, which this year completes 50 years of uninterrupted operation, confirms its commitment to promoting major sporting events of international importance and contributes to the promotion of Crete as a high-level destination for athletes and visitors from all over the world.

It is indicative that the leading Greek hotel group has undertaken this year the organization of two more major world volleyball tournaments that will be held for the first time in Crete. This is an international event that promises to bring world-renowned athletes to Greece and the Marathon, which will be one of the most exciting events of the year. Both tournaments will be hosted in November 2025 at Metaxa Hospitality Group's TUI Magic Life Candia Maris, offering excellent opportunities for sport and tourism in one of the most beautiful coastal areas of Northern Crete. 

The Nations Cup in Crete is expected to have significant benefits for both the local community and the country as a whole. 

The arrival of athletes, coaches, and fans from all over the world will boost tourism, extending the duration of the tourist season on the island. At the same time, the tournament will create increased demand in sectors such as hospitality, catering, and transportation, providing a boost to local entrepreneurship.

On a national level, hosting such an important event will highlight Greece as a center of international sports tourism, enhancing the country's image as a destination of high standards and encouraging the organization of more international sports events in the future.

The Regional Governor of Crete, Mr. Stavros Arnaoutakis said: “It is with great pleasure that the Region of Crete supports the organization of the European Beach Volley Nations Cup 2025, a great sporting event that enriches the calendar of international events that have been hosted on our island in recent years. We warmly congratulate Metaxa Hospitality Group for undertaking this important event and the Hellenic Volleyball Federation for their cooperation in the preparation of the tournament. The Beach Volley Nations Cup promotes Crete as a top sports tourism destination and enhances the international image of our island”.

The Mayor of Malevizi, Mr. Menelaos Bokeas said: “It is with great pleasure and honor that we participate as co-organizers of the "Beach Volleyball Nations Cup", which will be held on May 16-18, 2025, at the facilities of the hotel "TUI Magic Life Candia Maris" in Amoudara Gazi, Municipality of Malevizi. We support such innovative, visionary initiatives that enhance the tourism product of our region and make it a destination for the global sports community. Many congratulations are due to the organization of "Metaxa Hospitality Group" and its people for this truly great initiative. This first international volleyball tournament organized in our region is a forerunner for the brilliant events that will follow, and to which we will lend our support. The prospects are very encouraging, not only for our region but also for the whole of Crete. Sport unites. It expresses and creates communities of people inspired by higher ideals and values. And when experiential tourism, and especially sports tourism, brings together people from different countries and cultures, and all this effort is passed on to the everyday life of our country and its people, something great is born, something beautiful and unique comes to be established and developed. With this event, with all the synergies it requires, with all the interactions it causes, with all the creativity it generates, we all make our mark as participants and sign the future. Success is more than certain”.

The President of the Hellenic Volleyball Federation, Mr. George Karampetsos stressed: “In the first post-Olympic season after the Olympic Games in Paris, Greece is once again entering the beach volleyball scene with dozens of domestic and international high-level competitions in accordance with the high standards of the world federation. The 2025 calendar starts from Heraklion, Crete, which in recent years has played a leading role in the top sand events. The Nations Cup, which is the first event for our national teams that will enter the qualification process for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, is the ideal start for the events we have planned as a Federation for the 2025 season. As always, the Region of Crete is a valuable ally, and I would like to thank the Regional Governor of Crete, Mr. Stavros Arnaoutakis for his valuable contribution, Metaxa Hospitality Group for its support, and all the supporters and stakeholders involved in this event. I wish to extend my best wishes for organizational growth and competitive excellence, especially to the national teams, and I am sure that they will manage to excel, representing our country in the international beach volleyball scene".

The CEO of Metaxa Hospitality Group, Mr. Andreas Metaxas stated: “In a landmark year, as Metaxa Hospitality Group completes half a century of existence in 2025, we are particularly proud to co-organize such an important sporting event, the Nations Cup, which is coming back to Crete this year. By hosting three international tournaments on the island in less than six months, Crete is emerging as a top sports tourism destination, attracting athletes and spectators from all over the world. The holding of these events confirms our commitment to the development of sport and the strengthening of the local society and economy, placing Crete at the heart of the international sporting map”.

The return of a beach volleyball world championship to Greece would not have been possible without the contribution of Technical Director Vangelis Polimeropoulos through the Best Sports Marketing and Events company in Greece, ActiveMedia Group.

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