Inaugural World Beach Games Postponed Two Years To 2019

The target date for the inaugural World Beach Games in San Diego has been postponed by two years to 2019, the Association of National Olympic Committees said yesterday.

The little-known offshoot of the International Olympic Committee created the property as a Millennial-focused, low-cost festival that could potentially draw new consumers and sponsors to the Olympic world without the high costs of the traditional Games. Some proposed sports were surfing, beach volleyball, esports and street basketball.

It had been scheduled for next fall, but ANOC and San Diego “mutually agreed” to the delay. Organizers said they wanted to raise a $150 million budget through sponsorships and media rights, but sponsorship executives are skeptical of its value.