Azerbaijan experiencing real Volleyball euphoria ahead of CEV EuroVolley 2026!

Azerbaijan is literally experiencing a real Volleyball euphoria! Many events have been organised recently to grow the game, while Baku has officially been recognised as the World Sports Capital for 2026, thereby marking an important milestone not only for the city, but for the entire sports ecosystem of Azerbaijan as well. For Volleyball lovers this recognition is especially important because Baku is one of the host cities of the CEV EuroVolley 2026 Women coming up in the second half of August.

Earlier this month, the Regional Development Centres run by the Azerbaijan Volleyball Federation (AVF) organised friendly  matches featuring young players from across the country. More than 160 teams participated in this real Volleyball festival. The Volleyball community has doubled its numbers over the last three years alone and the interest in the sport is growing with each day. 

AVF President Shahin Baghirov visited some of the regional development centres, watched  matches and had productive conversations with members of the local Volleyball communities.
Such friendly matches were organised in Ganja and at the Oghuz Regional Volleyball Centre as well as at Nakhchivan Regional Volleyball Centre, where Mr Baghirov observed the matches involving young boys and girls. After the friendly tournament ended, the winners were awarded by the president with medals and diplomas. 

Some of these boys and girls have already been selected to join the youth national teams and will participate in the coming season in EEVZA tournaments. The AVF President thanked CEV for all their support and emphasised the importance of the CEV School Project in developing Volleyball in Azerbaijan. Pupils working with former members of the national team Oksana Mammadyarova and Alla Hasanova were involved in these friendly matches and it looked like they will be the worthy successors of their well-decorated and highly respected mentors. 

After the break due to the holiday season, activities will resume in January and February in close cooperation with the National Olympic Committee. More specifically, a series of lectures for PE teachers, coaches, and children about safe sport and its key principles are planned.