Lausanne, Switzerland, December 3, 2019 – Following the open bidding process, the FIVB Men’s Volleyball Challenger Cup 2020 returns to Portugal, where the inaugural event was first hosted in 2018.
The competition will take place in Gondomar, from June 24 -28, with six teams battling it out for a place in the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL).
The FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup was introduced as a competition to give emerging volleyball nations an opportunity to demonstrate their quality on the world stage. Since its inception, the Cup has cemented itself as an important international competition, giving teams an opportunity to move to the prestigious VNL.
Following the announcement, FIVB President Ary S. Graça F° said:
“I am delighted that the FIVB Men’s Volleyball Challenger Cup will return to Portugal for the third edition.
“After successfully hosting the competition in 2018, it is clear that the Portuguese fans are passionate about volleyball and have a desire for more elite-level events hosted in the country.”
Mr. Vicente Araujo, Vice President of the Portuguese Volleyball Federation, said:
“It is an honour for our National Federation to be selected as host of the Men’s Volleyball Challenger Cup for a second time. It is a fantastic opportunity to welcome five prestigious volleyball national teams to Portugal, and I know that our athletes are excited to play for a place in the 2021 VNL, in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.”
The women’s edition of the FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup will be held from June 24-28, 2020. With several National Federations evaluating the possibility of hosting the event, the FIVB has extended the application deadline to Wednesday December 18, 2019.