Beach Volleyball

About our league

CMSA Volleyball League proudly stands as one of the largest LGBTQ+ volleyball leagues in the country. We celebrate diversity, acceptance, and the joy of playing together.

What We Offer

Two formats
1. Fours Beach Volleyball
2. Sixes Beach Volleyball
Six Levels of Play
- A - Advanced Competitive
- BB - Competitive
- BU - Advanced Intermediate
- BL - Intermediate
- CC - Advanced Recreational
- C - Recreational (6x6)

Level Details

Advanced (A) and Competitive (BB) - Many of these players have played college/club volleyball previously and regularly participate in competitive NAGVA tournaments.

Intermediate (B) - This division is for players who have a lot of experience playing organized volleyball. Teams usually three-hit the ball, play positions, and enforce all rules.

Experienced (CC) - This division is for players who have some experience playing organized volleyball and know all the basic rules. More competitive than Recreational (C) but more nuanced rules like side sets and tipping are not often enforced.

Recreational (C) - This division is mainly for players who little experience playing volleyball and looking to have fun. Rules like lifts and carries are not often enforced.

Women's+ Competitive (WC) - Comparable to players in the A, BB, or B divisions.

Women's+ Recreational (WR) - Comparable to the C and CC divisions.

Registration Types

Full Teams:

If you have already found or plan to be on a team.

Captains should register as a Team Captain, and create a team
Captains can then invite their team players via LeagueApps, or players can register as Team Player, and select the team to join. Captains must approve Player Join requests.

Free Agents:

If you do not have a team, register as a free agent. The league will follow up with you directly to help you find a team.

Small Groups:

If you want to play with a few friends, register as a small group. This will work similar to Free Agents, but you will be placed on a team together.

Programs

Free Agent Request

Bye Week Request

2025 Registration

*** Last Updated April 7 2025 ***

Thank you for your interest in CMSA Beach Volleyball!

Registration opened at 12:00 AM (Midnight), April 5th 2025

We are currently at capacity and request you add yourself or your team to the waitlist.

Pricing
- Price per player will be $74
- Registration requires Annual CMSA Membership which is about $32
- LeagueApps processing fee will be charged and is about 6%
Key Dates
- Registration Opens April 5th 2025
- Teams must have invited minimum players by April 26th 2025
- Teams must have minimum players paid by May 3rd 2025
- First day of play: May 30th 2025
- Tournament: August 23rd 2025
Teams must have the minimum number of players
- All 4x4 teams must have at least 6 players (Recommended 7 minimum)
- All 6x6 teams must have at least 8 players (Recommended 10 minimum)
- Captains can add players until June 14th
- Captains can request free agents using the button above
- If minimum player count is not met by the deadline, a team may be placed on the waitlist.
Limit of 168 total teams
- If registration is full, sign up for 2025 WAITLIST
- Most people on the waitlist were moved to the program in 2024
All teams will be scheduled to play at least 9 nights
Use Bye Week request button above to request bye weeks
Not all free agents are guaranteed spots
- Every attempt will be made to place free agents
Players may be forced to change divisions based on skill level
If there is enough interest, we will have a separate divisions for:
- A (Advanced Competitive)
- Women's+ Competitive

Captains Meeting Scheduled for May 12th 2025 6:30 PM at Roscoe's Tavern

Other Events

Skills Clinics: We occasionally offer skills clinics to learn the basics or improve your technique.
Social Events: Beyond the game, we host social events—mixers, parties, and outings.
End of Season Tournament
- 2024 Beach Volleyball Tournament

Open Gym

CMSA does not off offer Open Gym.

Known Chicago Open Gym programs:

Monday Armory
- Location: Broadway Armory
- Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Levels: LB, UB
- Administrator: Chicago Park District
- https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/chicagoparkdistrict/activity/search/detail/518620?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true
Monday COH Low Level
- Location: Center on Halsted
- Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Levels: C, CC, LB, UB
- Administrator: Center on Halsted
- https://centeronhalsted.org/volleyball.html
Thursday COH High Level
- Location: Center on Halsted
- Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Levels: BB, A
- Administrator: Center on Halsted
- https://centeronhalsted.org/volleyball.html
Saturday AAC Lower Levels
- Location: Center on Halsted
- Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Levels: C, CC, LB
- Administrator: AAC
- https://sportsaac.com/
Saturday AAC High Levels
- Location: Center on Halsted
- Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
- Levels: UB, BB
- Administrator: AAC
- https://sportsaac.com/

References

Rules and Information

Teams self-referee between their matches.

Beach Rules 2024

Equipment

All equipment is provided (Nets, lines, scoreboards, referee equipment)
Beach Nets are set up by teams before play
- Teams should arrive 30 min before their first game
- Beach Net Instructions