Alan Nine
The field is complete for the 2027 Men's World Championship, with defending champions Italy heading to Poland in a 32-team tournament that will also award three Olympic places. Elsewhere, Paris Volley are working to secure new ownership, while the opening domestic weekend produced several notable individual and team records.
2027 Men's World Championship
Italy and hosts Poland qualified automatically, with the Azzurri entering the tournament as back-to-back champions after their 2022 and 2025 titles. Fifteen teams secured places through their continental championships, while the final 15 spots were awarded through the FIVB world ranking of 16 October.
Estonia will make their first appearance and Denmark return for only the second time, having last competed in 1966. The first phase will feature eight pools of four, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the round of 16. Gdansk, Katowice, Lodz and Olsztyn will stage matches, while Krakow will host the semi-finals and medal matches. The three highest-placed teams not already qualified for Los Angeles 2028 will earn Olympic berths.
France and the international game
Paris Volley have secured enough short-term funding to begin the season but are still seeking a longer-term solution to their financial problems. The club's shareholders issued an urgent appeal on 2 October, and French reports later put the immediate operating funds at close to €200,000, with accumulated debts approaching €1 million. The target is to complete a transfer to new shareholders by 30 October.
Italian businessman Aldo Fumagalli, one of the leading figures behind the Vero Volley consortium, has emerged among the prospective investors. The size of any contribution and his possible role have not been disclosed. On court, the team coached by Silvano Prandi opened the French league season with a 3-0 win over Saint-Nazaire on 17 October.
In Turkey, VakifBank recovered from two sets down to beat Eczacibasi 3-2 (14-25, 18-25, 25-18, 25-22, 15-9). Marina Markova and Tijana Boskovic scored 23 points apiece, while Zehra Gunes contributed 11 points, including six blocks. VakifBank remain the only unbeaten side after four rounds, on 11 points.
Brazil's Volei Renata won a sixth Paulista title with a 3-2 victory over Suzano in Campinas. The deciding set lasted more than 45 minutes and ended 34-32. It was Volei Renata's third consecutive final win over Suzano and their sixth state title overall.
Italian league records
The opening SuperLega round produced two records in Cuneo's five-set defeat by Perugia. The 25-23 tie-break contained 48 points, matching the highest-scoring fifth set in the league's history, while Perugia's 25-7 second-set win equalled the record for the fewest total points in a SuperLega set. Shikun Peng also made an immediate impact for Cisterna with eight blocks on his league debut.
In Serie A2, Klemen Sen scored 32 points as Reggio Calabria won 3-2 at Pineto, while Alessandro Tondo recorded seven blocks in Fano's 3-1 victory over Gioia del Colle. Reggio Emilia's five-set win over Belluno lasted three hours and 17 minutes; Belluno took the third set 40-38 after 54 minutes.
Andrea Schiro opened his Serie A3 season with a personal-best 42 points for Sarroch against Cirie. Simone Marzolla reached 1,000 points for Altotevere, while Pietro Merlo also passed 1,000 career points in the division with Sorrento.
Women's Serie A3
The new national Women's Serie A3 season began with six three-point wins and two tie-breaks across its two eight-team pools. Co.Ge.Vesuvio Oplonti produced the standout comeback, recovering from 2-0 down against Modena Volley and saving their challenge by taking the third set 27-25 before completing a 3-2 victory.
Tonno Callipo Calabria also won in five sets, beating Zero5 Castellana Grotte 15-13 in the decider. Ripalta, Valdarno, Garlasco, Florens, Aduna Women and Arena Volley all collected maximum points. The second round is scheduled for 24 and 25 October.
Women's Serie A1
Lega Volley Femminile will launch a partnership with IMVisible at the Fiat Super Cup to simplify ticket applications for supporters with disabilities. A single digital profile will allow users to avoid resubmitting the same documentation for each match, while clubs will be able to manage requests and accompanying-person details through the platform.
