Varna Municipality took decisive action in its attempt to retain the hosting rights for the Men's European Volleyball Championship 2026, after it became clear that the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation (BVF) was discussing the possibility of moving the tournament to Sofia.
In an open letter to the President of the BVF Lyubomir Ganev, the members of the Management Board, and the Minister of Youth and Sports Ivan Peshev, the interim mayor Pavel Popov insists that the federation confirm the initial decision to hold the matches in Varna.
🏛️ The Open Letter from Varna Municipality (full text)
TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD
OF THE BULGARIAN VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION
MR. LYUBOMIR GANEVTO THE MEMBERS
OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD OF THE BULGARIAN VOLLEYBALL FEDERATIONCOPY TO THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AND SPORTS
MR. IVAN PESHEVOPEN LETTER
Subject:Decision on hosting the Men's European Volleyball Championship in 2026.
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Varna community, we appeal to the members of the Management Board of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation to express our surprise and disappointment at the intention to hold the matches of the Men's European Volleyball Championship in 2026 in Sofia.We appeal to the members of the Management Board of the BVF to reconsider this intention and remind them that in March 2025, Varna had already been announced as the host city for the event. The decision was finalized with a unanimous resolution by the Varna Municipal Council on July 31, 2025, when your proposal to allocate BGN 420,000 for its organization was approved.
Varna is Bulgaria's volleyball capital, home to the Bulgarian national team. We have earned this recognition through years of dedicated support from the stands, and the consistent readiness of the city administration, regardless of political differences, to assist in the organization of major volleyball events.
The silver medal from the World Championship in the Philippines belongs to all of Bulgaria. However, the roots of this tremendous success are deepest by the sea. Do not cut them, do not alienate the people who were never disappointed by failures and stood by you even when memories seemed like the only connection to glorious victories!
It is not hard to guess why our hosting rights are proposed to be taken away in favor of Sofia: more seats in the hall, hence the hope for more revenue for the federation. However, this major sports festival also includes matches of other teams, many of whom come from traditional Black Sea tourist destinations (Poland, Ukraine, Israel). Although with a smaller capacity, the Palace of Culture and Sports in Varna will be full for all championship matches, not just for the games of the Bulgarian national team!
When you recalculate, do not forget to ask yourselves about what cannot be quantified: Where do Bulgarian volleyball players feel better – in the boiling cauldron of Varna's amphitheater-like hall, or amidst the four echoing walls of Sofia's structure?
In the days following the historic success of Bulgarian volleyball, we repeatedly stated that sports unite the nation, as nothing else succeeds in times of political crisis and economic uncertainty. Today, we face the risk of an ill-considered and one-sided managerial decision cracking this delicate cohesion in society that we continuously seek.
We appeal, when you vote, to also consider the sustainability of the decision made, and how long-lasting its effect will be. We urge the members of the Management Board of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation (BVF) to confirm Varna's hosting of the matches for the Men's European Volleyball Championship in 2026.
Varna is ready! Varna deserves it! Bring EuroVolley 2026 back to Varna!
October 10, 2025, Varna
Pavel Popov (Acting Mayor of Varna Municipality)
✍️ Petition and public support
In parallel with the letter, an online petition was created in support of Varna's hosting, available at:
👉https://www.peticiq.com/500457?utm_source=web_share
Those wishing can also sign in person at the Municipality building, 43 "Osmi Primorski Polk" Blvd.
💰 Sofia offers financial support to the BVF
Meanwhile, the Sofia Municipal Council adopted a decision to allocate up to BGN 500,000 from Sofia's budget to the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation for the preparation and organization of the championship, should the capital be chosen as host.
This step practically escalated tensions between the two municipalities and presented the Management Board of the BVF with a serious choice – tradition and atmosphere in Varna or financial support and larger infrastructure in Sofia.
🏐 What's next
On Tuesday (October 14) at 10:00 AM, the Management Board of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation will convene on the matter and will have to make a final decision on the hosting of EuroVolley 2026.
Expectations are that the meeting will be tense, and the decision – crucial.
photo: Varna Municipality
