WIGHT WAVE BEACH SPORTS FESTIVAL
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Wight Wave Expands to 10 Days Following Record Demand and National Success
Ryde, Isle of Wight — Wight Wave Beach Sports Festival, one of the UK’s fastest‑growing beach sport events, is set for a major expansion in 2026. Following unprecedented demand, record participation, and overwhelming community and athlete support, the festival will grow from a 3‑day event to a 10‑day celebration of elite sport, development, and coastal culture.
Hosted on the iconic sands of Appley Beach, Ryde, the newly expanded festival will run from 24 July to 2 August 2026 and forms a flagship stop on the Elite Beach Sports Tour.
A New Era for UK Beach Sport
The decision to expand reflects the festival’s rapid rise in popularity and its growing role in the national sporting calendar. In 2025, Wight Wave attracted athletes, coaches, officials, families, and spectators from across the UK — with demand for competition slots, coaching opportunities, and community sessions far exceeding capacity.
The 2026 edition will meet that demand with a significantly enhanced programme, offering more opportunities than ever before for participation, performance, and progression.
What’s New for 2026
The expanded 10‑day festival will feature:
- A full 10 days of sport, activity, and coastal engagement
- Two major competition weekends showcasing elite and emerging beach sports
- 7+ sports represented, including beach soccer, beach volleyball, beach tennis, and more
- A 5‑day development programme for aspiring athletes and coaches
- Young Lions Beach Soccer Camps supporting the next generation
- Multi‑sport beach camps for all ages and abilities
- Adult and junior day sessions across multiple disciplines
- Talent pathway observation opportunities for players and officials
- Open invitations for clubs and organisations to deliver their own sessions on the sand
A Platform for Athletes, Coaches, Officials, and the Community
The expanded festival strengthens Wight Wave’s commitment to creating accessible, high‑quality opportunities across the sporting ecosystem. From grassroots participants to elite competitors, from developing coaches to experienced officials, the 2026 programme is designed to elevate every level of the game.
“The growth of Wight Wave Beach Sports Festival reflects the passion, energy, and appetite for beach sport across the UK,” said Luke Kerr Founder. “Expanding to 10 days allows us to deliver more competition, more development, and more opportunities for everyone involved — athletes, coaches, officials, clubs, families, and spectators.”
A Festival for the Island and the Nation
With its expanded footprint, Wight Wave Beach Fest 2026 is expected to attract thousands of visitors, boosting local tourism, supporting businesses, and showcasing the Isle of Wight as a premier destination for sport and recreation.
Event Details
Wight Wave Beach Sports Festival 2026 📅 24 July – 2 August 2026 📍 Appley Beach, Ryde, Isle of Wight 🏆 Part of the Elite Beach Sports Tour
