Challenging matches in store for Turkish volleyball teams in 2026 European Volleyball tournaments
The 2026 season of Europe's top volleyball club competitions is set to feature several Turkish teams, with Halkbank Ankara and Ziraat Bankkart Ankara confirmed for the Men's CEV Champions League, and Zeren Sports Club Ankara and Eczacıbaşı Istanbul competing in the Women's CEV Champions League.
In the Men's CEV Champions League, Group C will see Berlin Recycling Volleys (Germany), Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia (Italy), VK Lvi Praha (Czech Republic), and a qualifier compete alongside Halkbank Ankara, who received a wildcard entry directly into the 4th round. Group A consists of Trentino Itas (Italy), Ziraat Bankkart Ankara, Tours VB (France), and a qualifier.
The women's competition features five groups of four teams, each playing a six-match round-robin. Zeren Sports Club Ankara is the only Turkish team specifically identified as a wildcard, while Eczacıbaşı Istanbul, a traditional powerhouse, is confirmed in Pool C. Fenerbahce Medicana will face the loser of the Champions League 3rd qualifying round, and is in Group B of the Women's CEV Champions League.
In the Women's CEV Cup, Galatasaray Daikin (Turkey) will face FC Porto (Portugal) in the 16th Finals, and Türk Hava Yolları (Turkey) will take on Avarca de Menorca (Spain). Fenerbahce Medicana is also in Group B of the Women's CEV Champions League, while VakifBank (Turkey) is in Group A.
Group D in the Men's CEV Champions League comprises Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie (Poland), SVG Lüneburg (Germany), Sporting CB Lisboa (Portugal), and Asseco Resovia Rzeszow (Poland). The Women's CEV Champions League Group D consists of A.Carraro Prosecco DOC Conegliano (Italy), LKS Commercecon Lodz (Poland), Dresdner SC (Germany), and Zeren Spor (Turkey). Group E in the Men's CEV Champions League includes Cucine Lube Civitanova (Italy), PGE Projekt Warszawa (Poland), Volley Haasrode Leuven (Belgium), and Montpellier HSC VB (France). The Women's CEV Champions League Group E consists of Developres Rzeszow (Poland), SSC Palmberg Schwerin (Germany), Levallois Paris Saint Cloud (France), and a qualifier.
The Men's CEV Cup 16th Finals will feature a match between Hotels Alanya Belediye (Turkey) and Vojvodina Novi Sad (Serbia), while the Women's CEV Cup 16th Finals matches are scheduled for November 25-27 and December 2-4, 2025.
The wildcard system was reintroduced to enhance marketability, fan engagement, and strategic growth, with all wildcard recipients entering in the 4th round. Each group plays six matches, with the top teams advancing to the knockout phase. As qualification rounds proceed, additional Turkish teams may join the CEV Cup or Challenge Cup, but no such information is available at this stage. For the most up-to-date information, it is recommended to check official CEV communications or Turkish Volleyball Federation announcements after their respective draws.
- The Turkish team, Halkbank Ankara, has received a wildcard entry directly into the 4th round of the Men's CEV Champions League.
- In the Women's CEV Champions League, Zeren Sports Club Ankara is the only Turkish team specifically identified as a wildcard.
- The Turkish team, Galatasaray Daikin, will compete in the Women's CEV Cup against FC Porto (Portugal).
- The Men's and Women's CEV competitions have wildcards to enhance marketability, fan engagement, and strategic growth, with additional Turkish teams potentially joining the CEV Cup or Challenge Cup.
