The event will take place from 9-14 August 2011 and will feature 24 teams. A temporary arena with a capacity of 2,500 will be installed but capacity for the Olympic event will be 12,000. The venue, which hosts the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony, is close to the prime minister's official Downing Street residence.

"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," said international federation president Jizhong Wei. Kenny Barton, performance programme manager for British Volleyball said: "It is fantastic to be having this test event next year to give a flavour of what it will be like having beach volleyball at such an iconic location in 2012.

"The girls travel all over the world so to have this competition confirmed on the calendar in London in August will be fantastic. "It will be a huge boost for the girls to experience the actual London 2012 venue as they step up their preparations for the Olympics. "Right in the centre of London, it will be one of the most accessible venues in 2012 and I am sure it will be the place to be."