Beach Soccer Stars
Beach Soccer Stars is an annual award ceremony in beach soccer organised by the sport's developmental body, Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW).
| Beach Soccer Stars | |
|---|---|
2023 logo. | |
| Awarded for | Excellence in beach soccer team and individual achievements |
| Location | Dubai |
| Country | United Arab Emirates |
| Presented by | Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW) |
| Hosted by | Tom Urquhart |
| First awarded | 7 November 2014 |
| Website | BSWW |
| Television/radio coverage | |
| Network | Beach Soccer TV |
| Runtime | ~75–90 minutes |
The first edition was held on 7 November 2014 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 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.
A gala event, attended by many of the world's top current and former players, coaches, officials and other beach soccer figures, 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. In 2017, a sixth individual award was introduced for best women's player of the year, a seventh in 2019 to recognise a legendary figure of the sport, 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. In 2016, coaches and captains from a total of 75 national beach soccer teams voted on the awards, rising to 115 teams in 2021.
The most recent edition, the ninth, took place on 12 February 2024.