CEV European Championship (EU) 2024/25

The CEV European Championship stands as the premier senior national team tournament in European volleyball, governed by the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV). It holds a distinct place in the sport's history, with the Men's EuroVolley established in 1948 and the Women's EuroVolley following a year later in 1949. These events are not club competitions; they represent the highest level of international play for national squads across the continent.

The structure of the championship has evolved into a rigorous two-stage process. Teams must navigate a qualification phase to earn a spot in the final tournament, which now accommodates 24 competing nations. This final stage is organized into groups before transitioning into knockout rounds that determine the continental champion. The most successful nations in men's history are Russia, with 14 titles, and Italy, who hold seven. In the women's competition, Russia leads with 19 championships, while Italy shares second place with three titles. Recent editions have seen varied hosting duties, with Azerbaijan, the Czech Republic, Sweden, and Turkey co-hosting the 2026 Women's Championship, resulting in a victory for Turkey. Meanwhile, the 2026 Men's Championship was staged in Bulgaria, Finland, Italy, and Romania, where Poland remained the defending champions.

While the CEV also oversees club tournaments such as the Champions League, this specific profile focuses solely on the national team competition. The EuroVolley remains the definitive contest for national pride and skill, separate from the club-based circuits that operate on a different seasonal calendar. The tournament continues to serve as the primary benchmark for European volleyball excellence, bringing together the strongest teams from member nations to compete for the continental crown.