The highly anticipated CEV EuroVolley 2026 is rapidly approaching, with the official Drawing of Lots (DOL) scheduled for this Saturday at the historic Norman-Swabian Castle in Bari. This continental championship promises to be a spectacular event, hosted across eight nations (four for each gender) and featuring 24 national teams in both the men`s and women`s categories. Mark your calendars: tickets for this premier volleyball tournament will become available in approximately one month, starting November 7th.
Later this week, participating teams in the 2026 CEV EuroVolley will learn their initial pool stage opponents. The women`s tournament is set to take place from August 21 to September 6, with matches hosted in vibrant cities including Istanbul (Türkiye), Brno (Czechia), Gothenburg (Sweden), and Baku (Azerbaijan). Türkiye`s `Sultans of the Net` will aim to defend their historic 2023 title on home soil, fueled by their recent silver medal at this year`s World Championship in Thailand.
The men`s competition will span across Italy, Bulgaria, Finland, and Romania. A highlight is the unmissable open-air opening match at Naples` Piazza del Plebiscito on September 10. The climax of the event will unfold in Milan, where the semifinals and medal matches will be contested on September 25-26 at the cutting-edge Arena Santa Giulia, also slated to host ice hockey during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Additional host cities for the men`s event include Modena and Turin (Italy), Varna (Bulgaria), Tampere (Finland), and Cluj-Napoca (Romania). Poland enters as the reigning champions, having secured their triumph in Rome in late summer 2023.
Before the full schedule for the pool stage is finalized and ticket sales commence, the Drawing of Lots event is the critical first step. This significant ceremony will occur on Saturday, October 4, in Bari, bringing together star players and various members of the volleyball community. The four host nations in each gender will automatically head their respective groups. As per regulations, these host countries have also pre-selected one team to join their pool, and these selections will be unveiled live on Saturday evening. The draw will then proceed, grouping the remaining teams into four cups for each gender, based on their current European ranking. The DOL will be extensively covered across all CEV digital platforms, ensuring fans can follow every moment of this event that will set the stage for next summer`s grand celebration of volleyball.
