Beach volleyball is an Olympic team sport played on sand. Two teams, positioned on either side of a net which divides a rectangular court, hit a volleyball, usually using the hands or arms. Players on each team attempt to hit the ball over the net in such a way so that it touches the ground inside the court boundaries, and to prevent the ball from touching the ground on their own side of the court.

Beach volleyball is a popular recreational activity on many beaches around the world, and is generally most popular in areas with wide sandy beaches. However, it is also frequently played on inland sand courts, and has become quite popular in some land-locked countries, notably Switzerland.

Though the official rules call for two players per team, recreational (non-competitive) games often have more players.