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Some host cities stage major events. Others spend years preparing for the opportunity. Cluj-Napoca belongs firmly to the latter category.
When the CEV EuroVolley 2026 comes to the heart of Transylvania this September, it will bring Europe’s best volleyball players back to Romania for a continental championship on home soil after many years. For the hosts, however, the tournament represents much more than an international sporting event—it is the culmination of years of growth and investment in one of the country’s most important volleyball regions.
For Romania head coach Sergiu Stancu, the chance to compete in front of a home crowd adds both emotion and motivation.
“Playing a tournament at home will be special and emotional, especially since it has been many years since Romania last hosted a European Championship. At the same time, however, it can also be a major advantage for us.”
Romania will open its EuroVolley 2026 campaign in Pool D in Cluj-Napoca, where it will face reigning Olympic champions France, Germany, Türkiye, Switzerland and Latvia. With all six teams competing in front of the home crowd and the top four advancing to the Round of 16, the hosts will be aiming to turn home-court advantage into a place in the knockout stage.
Rather than rebuilding, Romania enters EuroVolley with a squad that combines experienced leaders with emerging talent.
“We have several highly experienced players, as we are not an entirely young team. We have a good balance between experience and youth,” Stancu said, highlighting what he believes is one of his team’s greatest strengths.
He is equally convinced that the atmosphere inside the arena can become a decisive factor.
“I am confident that the fans in Cluj-Napoca will come to the arena in large numbers and create a fantastic atmosphere. That kind of energy makes a huge difference, both for the players and for the coaching staff.”
For captain Claudiu Dumitru, EuroVolley 2026 will also be a unique milestone for the current generation of Romanian players, who have never before had the opportunity to play a major final tournament at home.
“There will certainly be some pressure, as this is the first time this generation has had the opportunity to compete in a major final tournament on home soil.”
The outside hitter sees that pressure as part of the privilege of representing Romania on its biggest stage.
“We will do everything we can to prepare properly and reach our best possible form for this European Championship, which we will have the privilege of playing at home,” Dumitru said.
He also hopes the home supporters will play their part.
“That is precisely why we hope to see as many supporters as possible in the stands in Cluj-Napoca. Together, with their support, we can achieve all of our objectives.”
The excitement extends well beyond the national team. Romanian Volleyball Federation President Adin Cojocaru believes the country is ready to deliver an outstanding championship both on and off the court.
“We are eagerly looking forward to the start of the European Championship in Cluj-Napoca. Everything is ready, and we are delighted to welcome all the participating teams and guests to this important competition. We hope to organise a successful tournament, both on and off the court. With the support of the fans, whom we hope to see in large numbers in the stands, we believe that the Romanian national team can deliver a strong performance and achieve the result we are all hoping for.”
The selection of Cluj-Napoca as one of the tournament’s host cities reflects the remarkable development of volleyball across Transylvania in recent years. The region has become one of Romania’s strongest volleyball hubs, combining a rich club tradition with a growing commitment to youth development.
Romania now counts more than 200 active clubs across senior and youth volleyball, with around 60 based in Transylvania alone. Eight of the 24 teams competing in the country’s top men’s and women’s divisions represent the region, while dozens of other clubs focus on developing players through the U13, U15, U17 and U19 age groups, creating a clear pathway from grassroots volleyball to the professional game.
The growth shows no signs of slowing. A new multipurpose arena is currently under construction in Brașov and is expected to become the largest indoor venue in Romania. Looking ahead, the Romanian Volleyball Federation hopes it will provide another stage for major national and international competitions, further strengthening the country’s position on the European volleyball map.
Volleyball’s expansion across Transylvania is also evident beyond the indoor game. Beach Volleyball events have become regular fixtures in cities such as Oradea, Arad, Sibiu and Timișoara, while Brașov has also pioneered Romania’s first Snow Volleyball initiatives. Together, these projects underline the region’s growing passion for every discipline of the sport.
When EuroVolley finally begins in Cluj-Napoca, it will represent much more than the opening serve of another European Championship. It will celebrate years of investment in clubs, facilities and young talent, while giving a new generation of Romanian internationals the opportunity to perform on home soil for the first time.
As Stancu summed it up, “That kind of energy makes a huge difference.” This September, Transylvania will have the chance to show exactly what that means.
Source: CEV
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