A women’s beach volleyball tournament will be held at Horse Guards Parade next year as a test event for the 2012 London Olympics.

FIVB says the event will take place from 9-14 August and feature 24 teams in the Olympic competition format.

A temporary arena with a capacity of 2,500 will be installed. Seating capacity for the Olympic tournament will be 12,000.

FIVB President Jizhong Wei says “this will be a great showcase event for beach volleyball in the middle of summer in the heart of one of the greatest capitals in the world.”

Next year’s event and the Olympic tournament will both be played at Horse Guards Parade, site of the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony near the British Prime Minister’s 10 Downing Street residence.