Bulgaria will host the first round of the European zonal qualification and the Balkan Championship for men U20 in 2026. This became clear after the approval of the official calendar of the Balkan Volleyball Association (BVA) for the next season.
The competition for U20 men (born 2008 and later) will take place in our country between August 25–29, 2026, and will be of key importance, as it will combine a Balkan Championship and the I round of the European qualifications. Thus, Bulgaria will once again become an important hub for youth volleyball in the region and Europe.
In parallel, all hosts and dates for the Balkan Championships in the age groups from U16 to U20 for men and women were announced.
| Age Group | Host | Dates | Tournament Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| U18 Women (2009+) | Albania | June 19–23, 2026 | Preparation for the EuroVolley Finals in Latvia and Lithuania |
| U18 Men (2009+) | Montenegro | June 25–29, 2026 | Preparation for the EuroVolley Finals in Italy |
| U16 Women (2012+) | Greece | July 15 – August 31, 2026 | Balkan Championship |
| U16 Men (2012+) | To be determined | July 15 – August 31, 2026 | Balkan Championship |
| U17 Women (2010+) | Kosovo | July 21 –25, 2026 | Balkan Championship |
| U17 Men (2010+) | Albania | August 4 –8, 2026 | Balkan Championship |
| U20 Women (2008+) | Bosnia and Herzegovina | August 19 –23, 2026 | 1st Round – European Zonal Qualification |
| U20 Men (2008+) | Bulgaria | August 25 –29, 2026 | 1st Round – European Zonal Qualification |
The 2026 Balkan Championships for U18 men and women will be held as official preparatory tournaments without a qualification character, serving as game practice before the final phase of the European Championships.
The fact that Bulgaria will host the U20 men's qualifiers is a clear indicator of the trust placed in the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation and its organizational capacity. The tournament will provide an excellent opportunity for the young national players to compete for qualification in front of their home crowd and take an important step towards participating in the final phase of the European championships. At the same time, our country solidifies its position as a traditional and reliable host of key international volleyball events.
photo:balkanvolleyball.org
