Bulgarian volleyball clubs are entering a crucial period regarding their participation in European tournaments for the 2026/2027 season. By 5:00 PM on May 22, domestic representatives must officially confirm to the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) whether they will participate in the competitions, and interest in Bulgarian participation this year is more significant than usual.
After a strong season in efbet Super Volley, Bulgaria will have four teams in European tournaments, marking the first time in several years that our country sends a relatively balanced presence in all three main club competitions.
As expected, champion Levski Sofia will compete in the Champions League. 'The Blues' earned their spot among the European elite after an impressive domestic season, and their participation in the continent's most commercial tournament will be an important test for the development of Nikolay Zhelyazkov's young squad. For the club, this is an opportunity not only for prestige but also to gain significant international experience against the strongest teams in Europe.
Neftochimic 2010 will once again be on the European stage, as winning the Bulgarian Cup secured Burgas' team a place in the CEV Cup. The tournament traditionally offers very tough clashes even in the early rounds, and for Neftochimic, participation will be a chance to restore its international presence to the level the club maintained several seasons ago.
Particularly interesting seems to be the Bulgarian participation in the Challenge Cup, where Lokomotiv Avia and CSKA received quotas.
Despite the allocated quotas, the intrigue remains alive until the last moment. It's no secret that the financial factor often proves decisive for Bulgarian clubs when it comes to participation in Europe.
This is why the National Volleyball League has already announced that in the event of a withdrawal, the vacated spot will be offered to the next team in the final standings of efbet Super Volley. This leaves the door open for other clubs that still harbor hopes for a European campaign.
At this stage, it also remains unclear whether Bulgaria will have a representative in the Balkan Cup. The competition is traditionally held in late September or early October and often serves as an additional international start for teams from the region before the actual European battles.