All European Volleyball Champions

The men's European Volleyball Championship starts on 9 September, just three days after the end of the women's continental championship. Ahead of the main volleyball tournament of the autumn, let's look back at all the leading men's and women's national teams to have been crowned European champions.

How often is the European Volleyball Championship held?

The European Championship was initially held once every four years, but for a long period, from 1975 to 2023, the tournament took place every two years. The 2026 editions broke that sequence, but the system will return in 2028.

In the 20th century, the competition was hosted by a single country. At the beginning of this century, organisers experimented with holding the tournament across two nations. Since 2019, following the expansion of the field, both the men's and women's European Championships have been staged in four countries.

List of European Volleyball Champions

Most successful national teams in European Volleyball Championship history

The USSR has won the men's European Volleyball Championship more often than any other team, with 12 titles. Among the nations still competing today, Italy stands out with seven continental crowns. The Italians are also the most successful men's team of the 21st century, having won the tournament in 2003, 2005 and 2021.

In the women's competition, the USSR is also the most successful team in European Championship history, with 13 titles. Russia has won six European gold medals. Together with Italy and Serbia, Russia is the most successful women's team of the 21st century, with each nation winning three European titles.

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