For the 33rd time, the Association of Volleyball Professionals will bring the Chicago Open to Oak Street Beach on Labor Day weekend.

The Chicago Open is part of the AVP’s Gold Series, making it one of the three most important tournaments on the tour schedule, and it’s the best way to catch some of the world’s best beach volleyball players in the city’s front yard.

What do you need to know? Read on.

With Soldier Field on the lakefront, Chicago sports fans are used to seeing the skyline and Lake Michigan in shots of Bears games.

But with the Chicago Open taking place just north of DuSable Lake Shore Drive’s northern curve, the city’s beauty comes through in every part. All three courts have a background of Lake Michigan and the skyline, so whether you’re watching in person or at home, Chicago’s beauty comes through.

The AVP has named the Chicago Open, along with stops in Atlanta and Manhattan Beach Calif., as the Gold Series, the tour’s most important events. Players can earn the biggest prizes at the Chicago Open — as much as $30,000 for the top men’s and women’s teams, part of an overall package of $150,000 for each gender. Beyond the cash, points that help decide draws for future AVP events are up for grabs.

For fans, it’s also a chance to see some of the best the sport has to offer. Though the AVP is separate from the FIVB, the international body that controls beach volleyball for the Olympics, the competitors are the same. The Chicago Open is a chance to get to know the teams that will be trying to win gold in Paris next summer.

Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng

The second-seeded pair won two national championships together at USC, then became the youngest team to win the Chicago Open, taking the title in 2017. Playing together again since 2022, they are one of the top American teams, currently ranked second in the world by the FIVB.

Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth

Nuss and Kloth have the top seed for the Chicago Open after winning the AVP event in Atlanta. Currently ranked third in the world by the FIVB, there’s a good chance you’ll see Nuss and Kloth represent the U.S. next summer. They have partnered since graduating from LSU in 2021. Watch out for what Nuss can do on defense.

Melissa Humana-Parades and Brandie Wilkerson

Canada’s best team grabbed the third seed for Chicago. Wilkerson is one of the best blockers on the tour, and Humana-Paredes’ style of play complements Wilkerson’s defense well. The top American teams are the favorites, but the Canadians could make a run for the title.

Miles Partain and Andy Benesh

Partain and Benesh come to Chicago on a hot streak after winning the AVP stop in Atlanta in August. Thanks to an outstanding season so far, they grabbed the top seed for the Chicago Open. They are a young team — Partain is just 21 — but have the talent to make noise in Paris next summer.

Trevor Crabb and Theo Brunner — and Taylor Sander and Taylor Crabb

If you like your beach volleyball with a touch of family drama, keep an eye on the bottom half of the men’s bracket. Trevor Crabb and Brunner grabbed the second seed after a win in Hermosa Beach, Calif. Who did they beat — twice in less than 24 hours — to win that title? Trevor’s brother Taylor and his partner, Taylor Sander, who have the third seed in Chicago. If they avoid early upsets, the brothers will face off in the quarterfinals Saturday.

Your first option is to head to Oak Street Beach. The AVP has a variety of ticket options, from general admission to courtside cabanas with food and drinks provided. The forecast calls for sun and hot weather all weekend, so it’s perfect for watching volleyball. The AVP also will host meet-and-greets with the athletes after all of the matches are finished Friday and Saturday.

But you don’t have to hit the lakefront to catch it all. ESPN+ will air Stadium Court matches all weekend, with Courts 1 and 2 airing on Bally Live. ESPNU will carry the women’s championship at 3 p.m. Sunday.

The tournament gets underway Friday with the top seeds taking on their main-draw opponents. The second day is known as Survival Saturday, as the athletes in the main and consolation brackets play to stay alive. On Sunday, the championships will be won.

Maggie Hendricks is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.