AVP, Inc. has announced the return of the indoor beach volleyball national tour with the 2009 AVP Crocs Hot Winter Nights Tour. The Columbus stop at Nationwide Arena is slated for Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, at all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (614) 431-3600. Tickets are $22, $47 and $67.

The event will consist of eight AVP athletes including members of Team USA’s Olympic beach volleyball team, current AVP Crocs Tour superstars and other nationally renowned beach volleyball pros.

Driven by the nationwide popularity of the AVP Crocs Tour, the 2009 AVP Crocs Hot Winter Nights Indoor Tour, in partnership with AEG, will bring the excitement of an AVP beach volleyball tournament indoors. Each stop will consist of a three-hour round robin tournament amidst an indoor beach party.

Taking place during the dead of winter, the Hot Winter Nights Tour brings the beach (including more than 200 tons of sand) and the most popular and talented players on the AVP Crocs Tour to arenas in snowbound cities all over the United States. Visit www.avp.com for more information.