A key tournament for the Polish national team. The volleyball players will play for their fans

It is worth recalling that coach Nikola Grbic’s team won gold medals in the previous edition of the VNL. The victory in 2025 was valuable, although it ultimately did not translate into the subsequent World Championship tournament.

Poles took third place in the target event of last season. They won the bronze at the World Championships after defeating the Czech Republic, but in the semi-final – ending their dreams of gold – the Polish team lost to the later winners of the entire event, Italy. The podium was completed by the sensational runners-up of the world – the Bulgarian team.

Nations League tournament in Gliwice. Polish national volleyball players are fighting for the final!

The cycle of volleyball challenges repeats itself almost every season. It is no different in the 2026 season, where it started with the VNL. The Poles have already had a tournament in China (Linyi). Ultimately, it was two wins and two losses. Poland started with a victory over Cuba (3:0), and then had three tie-breaks in a row, against Slovenia (2:3), Japan (2:3) and Ukraine (3:2).

It is especially worth appreciating the last match, in which Poland was already losing 0:2 in sets and there was little indication that Grbic’s team was still able to shake off its lethargy. And yet, the Ukrainians had to acknowledge the superiority of the European champions (2023) in the next three games. And the Polish band itself improved its mood slightly at the end of playing in China.

The competition in Gliwice is already on the horizon. This is the only opportunity in the 2026 season to see the Polish national volleyball team live, playing for ranking points (we do not count friendly tournaments). The competition in the PreZero Arena in Gliwice will last from Wednesday to Sunday (i.e. June 24-28), with a break from playing for the hosts, which will fall on Friday.

Here is the detailed game plan during the competition in Gliwice.

VNL tournament in Gliwice (PreZero Arena, June 24-28)

Wednesday (24/06)

• China – Türkiye (13:00)

• Argentina – Germany (16:30)

• Poland – Belgium (20:00)

Thursday (25/06)

• China – Belgium (16:30)

• Poland – Türkiye (20:00)

Friday (26/06)

• China – Argentina (16:30)

• Belgium – Germany (20:00)

Saturday (27/06)

• Poland – Germany (17:00)

• Türkiye – Argentina (20:30)

Sunday (28/06)

• China – Germany (13:00)

• Belgium – Türkiye (16:30)

• Poland – Argentina (20:00)

The last intercontinental tournament in which Poles will take part will be the competition in Chicago (July 15-19).

The Nations League finals will be held in Ningbo, China (July 30 – August 2).

Where to watch volleyball matches? Broadcasts are available on Polsat Sport. Additionally, you can use the Internet, among others: from the Polsat Box Go platform.