# CEV reintegration of Russian volleyball

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cev-reintegration-of-russian-volleyball
> Updated: 2026-10-12T03:45:01.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 3.

The European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) has moved to reintegrate Russian volleyball into European and international competitions. Following a Board of Administration congress in Milan, the CEV approved the return of both Russian national teams and club teams.

For national teams, the decision covers both indoor and beach volleyball. While participation is approved in principle, specific implementation conditions and organizational mechanisms must be submitted to the Board for final approval. The next available official tournament for Russian national teams is the Volleyball Nations League. This follows a similar move by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) to reinstate Russian world rankings and allow players and officials to participate, citing changes in the International Olympic Committee’s stance. Stanislav Shevchenko, president of the Russian Volleyball Federation, expressed readiness to work toward teams returning under the Russian flag and anthem.

Regarding club competitions, Russian teams are scheduled to return to elite tournaments, including the Champions League, CEV Cup, and Challenge Cup, starting in the 2027/2028 season. As a condition for their initial return season, Russian clubs will not be permitted to host home matches on Russian territory.

Recent developments indicate the reinstatement vote was conducted by the CEV board rather than a full congress. According to Mykhailo Melnyk, President of the Ukrainian Volleyball Federation, the vote among 18 board members resulted in 15 in favor, one against (Latvian Arturs Vitkovskis), and two abstentions. Melnyk noted that the Ukrainian federation was not consulted prior to the vote. Additionally, while Russian teams are expected to return to the Nations League in 2027, the Russian men’s national team has voluntarily withdrawn from the 2027 World Championships in Poland.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-12: European Volleyball Confederation reinstates Russian teams

The European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) board voted 15-1 to reinstate Russian teams and players into international competitions, following a similar move by the FIVB.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-volleyball-confederation-reinstates-russian-teams

### 2026-09-30: European Volleyball Confederation approves return of Russian national teams

The European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) has approved the return of Russian national men’s and women’s teams to indoor and beach volleyball competitions.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-volleyball-confederation-approves-return-of-russian-national-teams

### 2026-09-26: CEV lifts ban on Russian volleyball clubs for 2027 season

The CEV has approved the return of Russian volleyball clubs to European competitions starting in the 2027/2028 season, with the condition that home matches cannot be held in Russia during the first year.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cev-lifts-ban-on-russian-volleyball-clubs-for-2027-season

---
Cite as: CEV reintegration of Russian volleyball. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cev-reintegration-of-russian-volleyball