The Bulgarian national team is almost certain to play in front of a full house in one of their most anticipated matches of the Volleyball Nations League. The encounter against hosts USA on July 18 in Chicago has generated immense interest, and currently, only about 120 tickets remain available on Ticketmaster, which practically means the match is almost sold out.

The match will be played at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates "," a modern multifunctional facility with a capacity of 11,800 spectators for such sporting events.
The interest in the match is fully understandable. The Americans still remember the painful defeat by Bulgaria in the quarterfinals of the 2025 World Championship in Manila, when Gianlorenzo Blengini's young team delivered one of the biggest surprises of the tournament. The upcoming clash is an excellent opportunity for the hosts to seek revenge.
However, the stakes are even higher. Both teams are battling for a spot in the Volleyball Nations League finals in Ningbo (China), which makes this match one of the key encounters in the last week of the preliminary phase.
However, the Bulgarian team will not be alone. The Chicago area is home to the largest Bulgarian community outside the country. Thousands of our compatriots are expected to be in the stands of the NOW Arena, which could create an almost home-like atmosphere for our national team. Early in the year, Bulgarian-language websites in the city launched a campaign to sell tickets for our team's matches in Chicago.
It is possible that the support from the stands will prove to be an additional advantage for Bulgaria in a match that could be crucial for qualifying for the final eight of the VNL 2026.