One of the most important international beach volleyball events in the world, the Nations Cup, is coming for the first time to TUI Magic Life Candia Maris by Metaxa Hospitality Group, in Crete, from May 16 to 18, 2025.
With the aim of promoting Crete as a global sports and tourism destination, this top sporting event is held under the auspices of the European Volleyball Federation (C.E.V.) and the corresponding Hellenic Volleyball Federation (E.O.P.E.), with the co-organization of the Region of Crete, the Municipality of Malevizi, and Metaxa Hospitality Group.
The Nations Cup particularly promotes team spirit, as the athletes do not compete as individual pairs, as is usually the case in classic tournaments, but represent their national teams. Each country participates with two pairs, which compete in an innovative competition system, where collective effort and strategy determine the winner.
Athletes from six countries will participate in the top sports event that promotes the development of the sport this year. 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 strengthens competitiveness at a global level and showcases the talent of athletes who transcend borders, bringing the audience closer to powerful sporting moments.
Sports tourism in Crete by Metaxa Hospitality Group
The Group’s 5-star hotel, TUI Magic Life Candia Maris, which will host the Nations Cup next month, features state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure of international standards, while it is located in an excellent seaside location in the area of ??Ammoudara, just 5 kilometers from the center of Heraklion.
By co-organizing and hosting the Nations Cup, Metaxa Hospitality Group, which this year celebrates 50 years of uninterrupted operation, confirms its commitment to promoting major international sporting events and contributes to the emergence 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 global volleyball tournaments that will be held for the first time in Crete. This is an international event that promises to bring world-class 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 the TUI Magic Life Candia Maris of Metaxa Hospitality Group, offering excellent opportunities for sports and tourism in one of the most beautiful coastal areas of Northern Crete.
Multiple benefits at the local and national levels
Hosting 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 transport, providing a boost to local entrepreneurship.
At a national level, hosting such an important event will highlight Greece as a center of international sports tourism, strengthening the country’s image as a high-standard destination and encouraging the organization of more international sports events in the future.
The Governor of Crete, Mr. Stavros Arnaoutakis, stated in this regard: “With great pleasure, the Region of Crete supports the organization of the European Beach Volley Nations Cup 2025, a major sporting event that enriches the calendar of international events that have been hosted on our island in recent years. We warmly congratulate the Metaxa Hospitality Group for undertaking this important event and the Hellenic Volleyball Federation for their cooperation in preparing the tournament. The Beach Volleyball Nations Cup promotes Crete as a top sports tourism destination and strengthens 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 in the ‘Beach Volleyball Nations Cup’, which will be held from 16 to 18 May 2025 at the facilities of the ‘TUI Magic Life Candia Maris’ hotel in Ammoudara, Gazi, in the Municipality of Malevizi. We support such pioneering, visionary initiatives that upgrade the tourism product of our country and make it a destination for the global sports community. Many congratulations are due to the “Metaxa Hospitality Group” organization and its people for this truly great initiative. This first international volleyball tournament organized in our region is the harbinger of the next brilliant events that will follow, and in which we will be supportive. The prospects are very encouraging not only for our country, but also for the whole of Crete. Sport unites. It expresses and creates communities of people who are imbued with higher ideals and values. When experiential tourism, and especially sports tourism, brings together people from different countries and cultures, and all this effort is transmitted 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 organization, with all the synergies it requires, with all the interactions it provokes, with all the creativity it generates, we all participants give our mark and sign the future. Success is more than certain.”
The President of the Hellenic Volleyball Federation, Mr. George Karabetsos emphasized: “In the first post-Olympic season after the Olympic Games in Paris, Greece is once again entering the beach volleyball scene with dozens of high-level domestic and international events in accordance with the high standards of the world federation. The 2025 calendar begins with 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 that we have planned as a Federation for the 2025 competition season. As always, the Region of Crete is our valuable ally, and I would like to thank the Governor of Crete, Stavros Arnaoutakis for his valuable contribution, the Metaxa Hospitality Group for its contribution, as well as all the supporters and those involved in this event. I wish the National teams every success in terms of organization and competition, especially, and I am sure that they will succeed in representing our country worthily on the international beach volleyball scene.”
The CEO of Metaxa Hospitality Group, Mr. Andreas Metaxas stated: “In a landmark year, as Metaxas 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 to Crete again this year. By hosting three international tournaments on the island in less than six months, Crete is emerging as a leading sports tourism destination, attracting athletes and spectators from all over the world. Holding these events confirms our commitment to the development of sports and the strengthening of the local community and economy, placing Crete at the center of the international sports map.”
The return of a world beach volleyball championship to Greece would not have been possible without the contribution of technical director Vangelis Polymeropoulos through the Sports Marketing and Events company 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 luxury resort on the beach of Amoudara, close to the city of Heraklion and the international airport. A 5-star hotel aimed at people over 16 years old with a main focus on entertainment and wellness.
Metaxa Hospitality Group is a leading Greek Group providing 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 has 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 Resort & Villas). It was founded in Crete in 1975 by the late Nikolaos Metaxas. His work is continued by his family, headed by Mr. Andreas Metaxas, who has led the Group into a new era of dynamic growth. The Group, recognized with dozens of international awards and certifications, operates based on the principles of Sustainable Development, where employees, the local community, and visitors are at the center of its activities.
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