Slovakia to host CEV EuroVolley 2028 Women pool phase!

Slovakia will be among the four countries due to co-host the CEV EuroVolley 2028 Women. The ambitious project builds on the successful staging of the 2019 edition held in Bratislava and envisages hosting the pool phase at one integrated venue – the Olympic Centre at x-bionic sphere in  Šamorín, featuring a new, yet to be constructed Olympic Arena.

Nine years after the 2019 edition, Slovakia will again welcome Europe’s Volleyball elite. Slovak Volleyball Federation (SVF) President Marek Rojko sees the confirmation of the bid by the CEV Board of Administration as the result of the gradual stabilisation and development of Slovak Volleyball in recent years. “The Slovak Volleyball Federation is proud that, following the 2019 edition, we have been able to prepare a bid for the 2028 edition at the highest level and meet the demanding requirements for hosting such a major international event in an Olympic sport. Since 2021, we have managed to stabilise and steer Slovak Volleyball towards a level where we could once again envisage welcoming Europe’s volleyball elite,” said Rojko.

According to Rojko, the CEV EuroVolley 2028 Women, together with the hosting of the 2027 #EuroVolleyU16W, forms part of the largest investment in Slovak Volleyball in its history. The objective goes far beyond the development of sports infrastructure and Volleyball itself, also aiming to promote Slovakia both domestically and internationally. Rojko also sees the planned concept of the venue as one of the unique aspects of Slovakia’s concept. 

“We are preparing the project so that the championship can be organised at one integrated location, the Olympic Centre at x-bionic sphere, in the new Olympic Arena. We see the whole concept as a combination of our philosophy of supporting modern, high-quality infrastructure with the most important events in Olympic team sports, of which Volleyball is a key part,” said the SVF President.

In Rojko’s view, hosting the European Championship would have an impact well beyond Volleyball itself. Through the event, the SVF aims to further promote the sport, make it accessible to all age groups and contribute to its growth and development across all regions of Slovakia. “Promoting Volleyball and expanding it across all age groups and regions of Slovakia is a key pathway towards raising the quality of the sport and increasing its profile in our society. We are convinced that an event of this magnitude will demonstrate the impact Volleyball can have across many different areas of social life,” Rojko added.

The SVF President also highlighted the importance of the cooperation with European and global Volleyball governing bodies, as well as with the Slovak Olympic and Sports Committee (SOSC). In his view, the successful Slovak bid is also a reflection of the SVF’s standing within European and world Volleyball. Rojko expressed particular gratitude to CEV President Roko Sikirić for his trust and support. “Our cooperation and friendship demonstrate the high level of our relationship, both personally and professionally. At the national level, I would also like to thank Slovak Olympic and Sports Committee President Anton Siekel for his significant support in implementing and preparing the key conditions for investment in team sports and Volleyball,” he said. Rojko also thanked the Slovak Ministry of Tourism and Sport, the Sports Support Fund and the partners of Slovak Volleyball. “We are only be able to bid for such major events in Slovakia with their support. Volleyball has credibility, transparency, stability and a clear vision, and that is fundamental for our entire movement,” the SVF President stressed.

Together with Spain, Slovakia is a confirmed host for the pool phase of the championship. 

CEV President Roko Sikirić also shared his thoughts on Slovakia’s bid and its significance for European Volleyball during the press conference held at the Olympic Museum in Bratislava. “I would like to thank the Slovak Volleyball Federation, the Slovak Olympic and Sports Committee, and the Slovak government for their support to the delivery of the CEV EuroVolley 2028 Women in Slovakia. EuroVolley is an attractive sporting and commercial event, and following the success of the 2026 edition, we want to build on this momentum in 2028. Slovakia has a clear vision and a strong structure in place, and I believe this will lead to further progress in attendance, event production, and commercial development. CEV will be a partner for Slovakia and will continue to support the further development of Volleyball in the country. I would also like to thank Marek Rojko for his active contribution to the development of Volleyball within the European and global structures. I look forward to our cooperation on EuroVolley 2028 as well as the U16 Women European Championships in 2027. Slovakia is doing a great deal for European Volleyball, and we truly appreciate it.”