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Tournament director Geoffrey Rowe said the number of players in the tournament, the last stop of the Swatch FIVB World Tour 2009, has increased by 40 per cent from last year. More than 80 teams from 30 countries have confirmed their participation.

"The live broadcast will also reach around 2.3 billion households worldwide. Those who will come to cheer their favourite teams at the venue can participate in various activities at the fun booths provided by sponsors," Rowe said.

"It's an excellent mixture of sport and entertainment. I hope the spectators will enjoy every moment at Karon Beach."

Among the star spikers are world champions April Ross and Jennifer Kessy-Boss from the USA, who will be back to defend their title.

Fast-improving Simone Kuhn and Nadine Zumkehr, who entered the Swatch FIVB World Tour record books on Sunday by becoming the first women's team from Switzerland to win an international "open" beach volleyball gold medal, in the Sanya Open in China, are the pair to watch this time,

Top players from Germany, Netherlands, Greece, China, Italy, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Russia, Czech Republic and Norway will also join the fray in the top-flight tournament, with an attractive US$190,000 at stake.

Two matches will be contested in the country quota play-off today.