A clash between the current world club champion Perugia and five-time trophy winner Sada Cruzeiro will be the main highlight on the first day of the Men's Club World Championship. Volleyball World officially announced the tournament schedule, which will take place from December 15 to 20 in three Polish cities – Katowice, Sosnowiec, and Częstochowa.
Eight teams from four continents will compete for the world title, with the group stage running from December 15 to 17. Group A matches will be held in "Arena Sosnowiec," and Group B matches in "Arena Katowice."
Perugia, who won their third world club title last year after defeating Japan's Osaka Bluteon, begins their trophy defense on December 15 against Sada Cruzeiro.
The Brazilian powerhouse shares the record for titles with Italy's Trento – five each. A new triumph would make Sada Cruzeiro the sole record holder in the history of the competition.
Host Warta Zawiercie also has serious ambitions. The Polish champion finished third at last year's Club World Championship in Belém, and in the 2025/26 season reached the Champions League final, where they lost to Perugia.
Still in the group stage, Warta will face Turkey's Ziraat Bank, who finished third in the Champions League. The two teams will meet on December 16, and a day later, the Poles will test their strength against South American champion Vôlei Renata.
The debut of Indonesia's Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi, who won the Asian Champions League, also sparks interest. In their last group stage match, the newcomer will face Perugia.
Group A:Warta Zawiercie (Poland), Vôlei Renata (Brazil), Ziraat Bank (Turkey), Foolad Sirjan (Iran).
Group B:Perugia (Italy), Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi (Indonesia), Al Ahly (Egypt), Sada Cruzeiro (Brazil).
Group Stage Schedule (Bulgarian time)
December 15, Tuesday
17:00 – Vôlei Renata – Ziraat Bank
18:00 – Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi – Al Ahly
20:30 – Warta Zawiercie – Foolad Sirjan
21:30 – Perugia – Sada Cruzeiro
December 16, Wednesday
17:00 – Vôlei Renata – Foolad Sirjan
18:00 – Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi – Sada Cruzeiro
20:30
A
Warta Zawiercie
A
Ziraat Bank
21:30
A
Perugia
A
Al Ahly
December 17, Thursday
17:00
A
Ziraat Bank
A
Foolad Sirjan
18:00
A
Al Ahly
A
Sada Cruzeiro
20:30
A
Warta Zawiercie
A
Volley Renata
21:30
A
Perugia
A
Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals, scheduled for December 19 at the DMD Arena in Częstochowa. A day later, the matches for the bronze medals and the world title will be played in the same hall.
Ticket sales begin on October 30 at 11:00 AM Bulgarian time. Poland will also host the Club World Championship in 2027.
photo: volleyballworld.com
