Top 6 Best Volleyball Leagues
Due to its international popularity, the best volleyball is played in domestic leagues across the world. There is also a yearly international league, in which the best national teams compete against one another to decide who will be crowned world champion. Listed below are the six best volleyball leagues in the world.
What Are the Most Popular Volleyball Leagues?
The best professional volleyball leagues are the:
- FIVB Nations League (International)
- Superlega (Italy)
- Volleyball Super League (Russia)
- Super League (Brazil)
- PlusLiga (Poland)
- Volleyball Bundesliga (Germany)
1. FIVB Nations League (International)
The most popular volleyball league is the Nations League, organized by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). The Nations League happens yearly with both a women's and men's event, and it showcases the best that the volleyball world has to offer. Powerhouses like Brazil, Russia, Italy and the United States bring their best with the goal of being crowned world champion.
2. Superlega (Italy)
The Superlega, Italy’s domestic volleyball league, is considered the top club league in the world. It features the best players in the world, making it extremely competitive and popular among fans. Clubs in the Superlega also offer players the highest salaries in the world, with the top players making around $1 million per year. Established in 1946, it is also one of the oldest volleyball leagues in the world.
3. Volleyball Super League (Russia)
The Russian Volleyball Super League is the top professional volleyball league in Russia. It began over three decades ago, in 1992, as a continuation of the volleyball that had been run by the USSR since 1933. The Volleyball Super League and its 14 member teams has its own season domestically, ending in the Russian Cup and Russian SuperCup, but they also compete with other European club teams in the CEV Champions League and compete annually for the CEV Champions Cup.
4. Super League (Brazil)
The Super League in Brazil is a domestic volleyball league that was founded in 1976. The number of teams fluctuates often, but the current league features 12 teams throughout the nation. Since Brazil is one of the most successful national teams in international competition, it comes as no surprise that the Super League also features top competition.
5. PlusLiga (Poland)
The PlusLiga is a domestic volleyball league that is the top level of competition in Poland. There are 16 teams in the PlusLiga, with a season that runs from October to April. The 12 clubs are all based in Poland, and all compete for the Polish Championship. While it is a relatively new league, being founded in 2000, it is still considered one of the top leagues in Europe.
6. Volleyball Bundesliga (Germany)
The Volleyball Bundesliga in Germany is a domestic volleyball that has seen much success on the biggest European stages. Clubs from the Bundesliga have won the CEV Champions League and Challenge Cup. The league was founded in 1974 and currently has nine teams. While players are not paid as much as other European leagues, the top players still make six figures.
Honorable Mentions
- Efe League (Turkey)
- Euro Millions Volley League (Belgium)
- Serie A1 (Argentina)
- Pro A (France)
- National Volleyball League (US)
- V.League (Japan)
FAQ
What is the best professional volleyball league in the world?
The best professional volleyball league in the world is the FIVB Nations League. As the organization that regulates international indoor volleyball, the FIVB also has their own league which pits various national teams against one another on an annual basis. The 16 member teams of the FIVB are allowed to compete each season for a chance to be crowned world champion at the FIVB Nations League Finals.