Türkiye hosts gala to celebrate historic achievements before setting sights on EuroVolley

The men’s and women’s national teams of Türkiye recently came together at a spectacular gala evening held in Istanbul ahead of the upcoming #EuroVolleyW and #EuroVolleyM. Celebrating the remarkable rise of Turkish Volleyball on the international stage, the National Teams Gala Night brought together the country’s leading Volleyball figures in the unique historical setting of Istanbul.

Organised by the Turkish Volleyball Federation (TVF) following the national teams’ outstanding performances at the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL), the gala was held to honour the achievements of the Turkish national teams and share the excitement ahead of their journeys toward new successes at EuroVolley. 
 
The event took place at Tersane Istanbul, located on the shores of the Golden Horn and one of the city’s most significant cultural heritage landmarks, with a history spanning nearly 600 years. The venue provided a spectacular backdrop for an evening celebrating the achievements and ambitions of Turkish Volleyball.
 
The gala was attended by Turkish Volleyball Federation President Mehmet Akif Üstündağ, TVF Board members, senior executives from partner and sponsor organisations, leading figures from the sports and business communities and press members. The Turkish women’s and men’s national teams also met with members of the media during the event. The players answered questions from journalists and shared their ambitions and preparations for the upcoming European Championships.

Türkiye enter the EuroVolley with significant momentum after a historic 2026 FIVB Volleyball Nations League campaign. The Turkish women’s national team, known as the Sultans of the Net, claimed their second VNL title this year, adding another major international trophy to their impressive record and further establishing themselves among the world’s leading women’s teams. 
 
The men’s national team, aka the Efes of the Net, also achieved a historic milestone by reaching the VNL Finals for the first time in their history. The team went on to finish the tournament in sixth place, recording their best-ever result in the competition.
 
The Turkish women’s national team will compete at the CEV Trendyol EuroVolley 2026, which will be held in Istanbul from August 21 to September 6, 2026. Türkiye will host the championship for the third time in its history. Playing on home soil and in front of their passionate supporters, the Sultans of the Net will aim to defend their European Championship title and once again reach the top of European Volleyball.

The Turkish men’s national team, will represent the country at the CEV Enel EuroVolley 2026 taking place from 9 to 26 September 2026. Following their historic first-ever VNL Finals appearance and sixth-place finish, the Efes of the Net will look to carry their momentum into the European Championship and continue the rapid rise of Turkish men’s Volleyball on the international stage.
 
With both national teams entering the European Championships after historic VNL campaigns, Turkish Volleyball now turns its focus toward another major chapter – with the Sultans of the Net defending their European crown in front of their home fans and the Efes of the Net aiming to build on their best-ever VNL campaign.