Bulgaria is preparing to host two consecutive men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) tournaments. The Board of Directors of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation (BVF) has designated Burgas as the host city for 2027, while Sofia will be Bulgaria's bid for a round of the prestigious competition in 2028.
Burgas with a larger hall for VNL 2027
The seaside city has been chosen to host the matches of the second competitive week of the Nations League in 2027. The planned period is June 18–27, with specific dates and the match schedule yet to be finalized.
The event also foresees an expansion of the capacity of 'Arena Burgas'. The plans are for the number of seats to increase from 6,300 to 7,300, which will allow an additional 1,000 spectators to watch the matches live.
Sofia could become a key stop on the road to Los Angeles
Even greater strategic importance is the capital's bid for 2028. The Bulgarian Federation will propose 'Arena 8888 Sofia' to host a tournament in the period May 20–24.
The choice of the year is not accidental. The Olympic Games in Los Angeles are scheduled for the summer of 2028, and the Bulgarian national team will be pursuing participation in the biggest sports forum.
The results from the Nations League carry significant weight for the world ranking, which is among the determining factors in Olympic qualification. The opportunity for the national team to play in front of their home crowd at such a moment could prove important from both a sporting and psychological point of view.
Unlike Burgas, which has already been designated by the Board of Directors as the host for 2027, Sofia will still go through the application procedure for 2028. The final confirmation of the hosts and the program depends on the international organizers.
The Federation continues financial support for clubs
The meeting also confirmed the BVF's policy of supporting clubs by covering referee fees.
Representatives of the Referee Commission reported positive cooperation with President Lyubomir Ganev and the Board of Directors. According to the commission, the provided organizational independence creates conditions for more effective work and development of refereeing in Bulgaria.