Bulgaria's program for the third week of the preliminary phase of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2026 has been officially announced. Our national team will be part of the exceptionally strong tournament in the Chicago area, which will take place between July 15 and 19, 2026, at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
USA Volleyball is hosting the event, and some of the most elite teams in the world will participate in the tournament – Poland, Brazil, France, USA, Bulgaria, and China.
Bulgaria, currently ranked No. 9 in the world and a silver medalist from the 2025 World Championship, will have three days of key clashes against absolute favorites.
Bulgaria's Program in Chicago (Week 3)
| Date | Match | Time (Chicago) | Time (Bulgaria) |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 15 (Wednesday) | Bulgaria – Poland | 12:00 | 20:00 |
| July 17 (Friday) | China – Bulgaria | 16:00 | 00:00 (July 18) |
| July 18 (Saturday) | USA – Bulgaria | 20:00 | 04:00 (July 19) |
| July 19 (Sunday) | Bulgaria – France | 16:00 | 00:00 (July 20) |
Bulgaria will start the tournament at a convenient time for local fans against world No. 1 Poland, but the next three matches are in challenging time zones – two matches after midnight and one in the early hours, which makes the week in Chicago an even greater test for both the team and the fans back home.
The schedule puts Bulgaria in an extremely difficult situation
– four matches in five days, including against Poland (world No. 1), hosts USA, and Olympic champions France. This will be a decisive test for their form, physical endurance, and squad depth.
Tournament with Olympic and World Champions
In Chicago, teams with serious accolades will play:
Poland – VNL 2025 champion
Brazil – VNL 2025 bronze medalist
France – two-time Olympic champion
USA – 2024 Olympic bronze medalist
Bulgaria – 2025 World Vice-Champion
China – consistent participant in the elite
Expectations are for the NOW Arena to once again be full of fans and high tension, and tickets will go on sale onFebruary 6.
VNL – the biggest annual tournament in world volleyball
The Nations League remains the most prestigious annual competition for national teams, with18 teams, who will play 12 matches each over three weeks. The best eight advance to the finals, where the new champion will be determined.
What does Chicago mean for Bulgaria?
The tournament in Chicago could prove decisive for Bulgaria's ambitions for a spot in the final eight. Top-ranked opponents and matches during peak hours will provide a clear indication of how far the team has come in its preparation for the big goals in 2026.
