Beach Soccer Stars

Beach Soccer Stars
2023 logo.
Awarded forExcellence in beach soccer team and individual achievements
LocationDubai
Country United Arab Emirates
Presented byBeach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW)
Hosted byTom Urquhart
First awarded7 November 2014 (2014-11-07)
WebsiteBSWW
Television/radio coverage
NetworkBeach Soccer TV
Runtime~75–90 minutes

Beach Soccer Stars is an annual award ceremony in beach soccer organised by the sport's developmental body, Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW).

The first edition was held on 7 November 2014 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.[1] The ceremony has continued to take place in the Emirate every year since,[a] occurring after the conclusion of the Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup during the first week of November[b] and has been called beach soccer's version of the better known Ballon d'Or in association football.[2]

A gala event, attended by many of the world's top current and former players, coaches, officials and other beach soccer figures,[3] five individual prizes are awarded for the best beach soccer player of the year, best goalkeeper of the year, best coach, rising star and best goal. Further awards are presented to the five players that, combined, are deemed to produce a dream team for that season as well as a prize for best event of the year.[4] In 2017, a sixth individual award was introduced for best women's player of the year,[5] a seventh in 2019 to recognise a legendary figure of the sport,[6] and an eighth and ninth in 2023 for best women's goalkeeper and best refereeing figure.

Various parties decide the award winners, including coaches, players, BSWW expert panel and fans.[4] In 2016, coaches and captains from a total of 75 national beach soccer teams voted on the awards,[7] rising to 115 teams in 2021.[8]

The most recent edition, the ninth, took place on 12 February 2024.[9]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference twentyfourteen was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Kempson scoops women's beach soccer 'Ballon d'Or'". Littlehampton Gazette. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  3. ^ "Beach Soccer Stars 2016". beachsoccer.com. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference voters was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Best Women's Player: The Three Nominees". beachsoccer.com. 27 October 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference twentynineteen was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "Куско: вопрос о возможном расширении чемпионата мира ещё не закрыт" (in Russian). beachsoccerrussia.ru. 7 November 2016. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  8. ^ "Best Player of the Year: Final Three". Beach Soccer Worldwide (Instagram). 22 October 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference coach23 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).