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The AVP Esurance Tampa Bay Open is scheduled for May 31 through June 3, with six sand volleyball courts and bleachers set up on the outdoor plaza on the arena's west side. The event is one of 18 national stops on this year's AVP Tour and is expected to become an annual event.

Los Angeles-based AVP, which was established in 1983 and grew substantially since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics when beach volleyball gained popularity, has held previous tournaments in Fort Lauderdale yet had never scheduled an event along the Gulf Coast until now.

"Florida has always embraced the growing sport of professional beach volleyball," said Gabby Roe, AVP general manager, during a Wednesday news conference at the Forum. Up to 20,000 fans are expected to attend the three-day Tampa tournament, which will begin with free qualifying rounds, with at least 150 players competing.

Tickets for the AVP tournament range in price from $13.75 to $44.75, with discounts available for groups, and can be purchased at the Forum box office or through Ticketmaster.