The Yaaz Footvolley Tel Aviv-Jaffa League is back – and so is the summer energy at Frishman Beach.
Beginning Saturday, June 28 and running every Saturday through August 16, Israel’s premier first and second division footvolley matches will be held in festive beach events open to the public and broadcast on Sport5.
Organized by the Association for the Advancement of Footvolley in Israel in partnership with the Tel Aviv–Jaffa Municipality and with support from Yaaz Real Estate and Development, the league is set to host dozens of top players from Israel and around the world.
Footvolley – a mix of beach volleyball and soccer – was born on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro in the 1960s when footballers found a creative way around laws banning soccer on the sand by playing on volleyball courts without using their hands. Each two-player team aims to get the ball to hit the sand on the opponents’ side using only their feet, head, chest, or any body part besides the hands.
The sport first reached Israeli shores thanks to Brazilian footballers Bruno Reis and Gabriel Lima, who played professionally in the Israeli Premier League and introduced footvolley to local athletes. The first organized competitions took place in 2007, followed by the establishment of a national league in 2008. Since 2011, the Association for the Advancement of Footvolley in Israel has been leading the sport’s development nationwide and internationally.
This year’s competition promises a particularly intense showdown, as reigning national and three-time European champions Ron Ben Yishai and Maor Haas – known as the “Blue and White” duo – will attempt to defend their title against elite challengers from Brazil and Israel. Among the top-tier Brazilian players set to participate are Renan, Pablo, Dias, and Paulinho, who will team up with rising Israeli talents like Li “Lilush” Lieberman, Dean Shaked, and veteran Dudu Tubi.
In addition to crowning the 2025 Israeli champions – who will go on to represent the country at international tournaments – this year’s league will also serve as a tribute. Special memorial events will honor footvolley players Dor Malka and Dorin Atias, who were murdered at the Nova music festival on October 7. The league will also call for the return of all hostages still being held in Gaza.
Each week’s events at Frishman Beach will feature upbeat music, surprises for fans, a VIP area, and a charged beachside atmosphere.
“We’re proud to turn the beaches of Tel Aviv–Jaffa into a hub for sports, community, and culture – open and accessible to people of all ages and levels,” said Zipi Brand, Deputy Mayor and head of the city’s Beaches and Parks Division. “The footvolley league is part of our broader push to develop beach sports across the city. Just this year, we’ve added dozens of volleyball and footvolley nets along the coastline for free public use. The municipality will continue working to make our beaches active, inclusive, and full of life.”
The main sponsor, Yaaz Real Estate and Development, sees the partnership as part of its long-standing connection to Tel Aviv. The company, which has completed hundreds of projects over its 55-year history, is led by CEO Tomer Reifman – himself a former Israeli footvolley champion and one of the sport’s pioneers in Israel.
Footvolley is more than a sport, it's a community
“We proudly sponsor this league because we believe footvolley is more than just a sport – it’s a powerful community activity with real social value,” said Reifman.
For many of the players, footvolley is more than just competition – it’s a lifestyle shaped by daily training, beach camaraderie, and a shared passion for the game.
“The sand teaches you patience, balance, and respect,” said Lilush Lieberman, one of the league’s standout young stars. “You can’t hide out here – the elements challenge you every day, and that’s what makes it beautiful.”
Lieberman, who transitioned from traditional soccer to footvolley six years ago, now trains six days a week and mentors young players from underserved communities across Israel.
What started as a niche sport has quickly grown into a vibrant scene that blends athletic excellence with the easygoing spirit of Tel Aviv’s coastline. Fans and families gather early each Saturday to claim spots near the courts, waving flags and playing music as the matches unfold.
With the blend of world-class talent, international flair, and the electric beach vibe, the Yaaz Footvolley League has become a must-see event on the summer calendar – a place where sport, remembrance, and unity converge on the sand.
The Yaaz Footvolley Tel Aviv–Jaffa League kicks off June 28 and continues every Saturday at 4 p.m. on Frishman Beach.