CEV Champions League 2026

    After all decisions in (relevant) national championships relevant for CL are now known, here follow the qualified teams for the competition as usual:


    Italy: Conegliano (Champion and league round winner), Milano (runner up), Scandicci (third of league round and semi final participant)

    Turkey: VakifBank (Champion), Fenerbahce (runner-up) and Eczacibasi (winner of Bronze medal series)

    Poland: Rzeszow (Champion), LKS Commercecon Lodz (runner up) and Grot Budowlani Lodz (winner of Bronze medal series)


    (Russia: still banned (would be otherwise champion Kaliningrad and runner up Kazan))

    Germany: Schwerin (champion) and Dresden (runner up)

    France: Paris and Nantes (finalists)


    Ukraine: ??? (likely again no participant)

    Serbia: Zeleznicar (champion), runner up Ub could be a candidate too

    Romania: Alba Blaj (Champion), if eligible and willing (a ban a few years ago, can they afford it?)


    Qualification: they can apply as national champions even from leagues lower in ranking. Succession rule of CEV? I don't know (because of Russia and some not willing to take their formal spots it's important).

    Quote from serdar

    When was the last time Stuttgart miss cl?:white: is there any chance they will join at the least qualification rounds? On the other hand, Their roster for next year is not really cl-worthy anyways

    No, there is already 3 countries with 3 spots, so Germany would not increase numbers.

    Quote from serdar

    I might be wrong but i think there was a season Italy, turkey, Russia and Poland had 3 teams

    You're right, but CL had 24 teams back then

    Quote from serdar

    When was the last time Stuttgart miss cl?:white: is there any chance they will join at the least qualification rounds? On the other hand, Their roster for next year is not really cl-worthy anyways

    Stuttgart lost German final series to Dresden 2021 and German VBL had just one berth in CL, they played CEV cup in season 2022 and lost the final matches than to Eczacibasi Istanbul. And remember in ko round of last 16 Stuttgart lost 2025 overall clearly against Rzeszow, no more being one of the best 8 teams in Europe.

    Seems like CEV decided to allocate Russian clubs's slots as wild cards. 2 for female competition and 3 for male one


    It seems like Novara, GS and Zerenspor applied for wild cards. Most likely it will be given to Novara and Zerenspor


    I think it is a good idea to include 4 Italian and 4 Turkish clubs to increase the level of the competition. However GS deserves to get the wildcard over Zerenspor. It shouldn't be that easy to buy a lot like that🤦

    Quote from serdar

    Seems like CEV decided to allocate Russian clubs's slots as wild cards. 2 for female competition and 3 for male one


    It seems like Novara, GS and Zerenspor applied for wild cards. Most likely it will be given to Novara and Zerenspor


    I think it is a good idea to include 4 Italian and 4 Turkish clubs to increase the level of the competition. However GS deserves to get the wildcard over Zerenspor. It shouldn't be that easy to buy a lot like that🤦

    Bakchish or encouragement money, you name it to your like, is a big topic in international sports federations...

    I think the wildcards will definitely improve the quality of the CL and also the number of spectators and income. Problem is, who will watch CEV cup, by giving Novara and GS a wildcard, they might increase the gap between CEV cup and CL. If they had such intentions, they could simply cancel the Challenge cup and merge them with the CEV cup for this year's edition.


    As a spectator, I would love this though since it will be fun to watch the group stage, not only the top 16, quarters etc.

    Quote from serdar

    Seems like CEV decided to allocate Russian clubs's slots as wild cards. 2 for female competition and 3 for male one


    It seems like Novara, GS and Zerenspor applied for wild cards. Most likely it will be given to Novara and Zerenspor


    I think it is a good idea to include 4 Italian and 4 Turkish clubs to increase the level of the competition. However GS deserves to get the wildcard over Zerenspor. It shouldn't be that easy to buy a lot like that🤦

    I agree, but with Zeren the competition will be more competitive. That’s why I prefer them over GS.

    Quote from Tyler

    I agree, but with Zeren the competition will be more competitive. That’s why I prefer them over GS.

    Not really sure to be honest. To me, they are slightly better than GS. The difference isnt big enough to justify such a nepotism. GS has better setters and liberos. Zeren has better Opp. Their OH and MB duos are comparable. So it is not like their roster is at big3 level. They could make it to quarterfinals only If they have a lucky draw (not getting scandicci or Eczacıbaşı from 2nd draw or getting rzeszow from 1st draw).

    Dark Horse of the competition is gone be Novara. They have great team game, I can’t wait to see them next season.


    Who knows after We took all 3 medals this season in CL, maybe We are gone have all 4 teams from Italy in FinalFour :heart:

    and whats about the 2 french teams suppose to play european cup? i mean Neptunes Nantes (originaly qualified for CL but finally relegated in 2nd division) and Pays d'Aix Venelles (qualified for CEV cup, but bankrupt)? what will happen ? other french teams will switch for this places ( Beziers Angels? Burdis Bordeaux? terville?), or some lucky teams will be qualified directly for next round?