Applications for participation
Five clubs have submitted an official application for a "wild card" to participate in the group stage of the men's volleyball Champions League in the 2025/2026 season. This is what Polish and Italian media write today. These are:
ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle(Poland)
Asseco Resovia Rzeszów(Poland)
Gas Sales Piacenza(Italy)
Verona Volley(Italy)
Halkbank Ankara(Turkey)
CEV (European Volleyball Confederation) has three "wild cards" for this season, which will be distributed among the five candidates.
🏛️ Context: Introduction of "wild cards"
After the exclusion of Russian teams from European tournaments, CEV introduced the "wild card" system to fill vacant spots and raise the level of competitiveness in the group stage. This allowed strong teams that had not qualified through national championships to be invited to participate. At the same time - what happens when a team likeVerona, which has no right to participate in European club tournaments according to its ranking, suddenly gets a chance to participate in the most prestigious competition? This not only trivializes the battles for medals in local championships and playoffs but also calls into question the legitimacy of the Champions League's very structure.
📈 Presentation of Candidates
Verona Volley (Italy)
The team has no right to participate in European club tournaments according to its national ranking. With a "wild card" application, it could find itself directly in the groups of the most prestigious tournament.
Gas Sales Piacenza (Italy)
An established Italian club with good achievements in recent seasons. Part of the strong SuperLega championship.
ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle (Poland)
Former three-time Champions League winner. Last season, they did not qualify directly and declined participation in the Challenge Cup.
Asseco Resovia Rzeszów (Poland)
Played two finals in the CEV Cup in the last two seasons. Aims to return to the Champions League.
Halkbank Ankara (Turkey)
A top club from the Turkish Sultans League, with plans for an even more ambitious squad next season, including the transfer of Aleksander Śliwka.
⏳ Expected decisions
CEV will announce which teams will receive a "wild card" likely in early July, when the draw also takes place. Only three of the five clubs will receive an invitation for direct participation in the group stage of the Champions League 2025/26.
