Poland — Volleyball

Poland is one of the great volleyball nations, with three World Championship titles and an Olympic gold medal. The I. Liga, the PlusLiga, features 84 clubs across 8 competitions and is one of the strongest domestic leagues in the world.

Volleyball is arguably the most popular team sport in Poland, with packed arenas, massive television audiences, and a national team that is consistently among the world's best. The PlusLiga attracts top international talent and produces some of the sport's greatest players.

The Polish Volleyball Federation was founded in 1929. Poland first emerged as a volleyball power in the 1970s, winning the World Championship in 1974 and Olympic gold at Montreal 1976.

After a period of decline, Polish volleyball experienced a spectacular renaissance. The PlusLiga grew into one of the world's best leagues, and the national team won World Championship titles in 2014 (on home soil in front of 60,000 fans at the National Stadium in Warsaw) and 2018. Players like Bartosz Kurek, Mariusz Wlazly, and Wilfredo Leon have become national heroes. Volleyball's popularity in Poland rivals football in many respects.

The Polish Volleyball Federation (Polski Zwiazek Pilki Siatkowej, PZPS) governs volleyball in Poland. Founded in 1929, it is a member of the CEV and FIVB, overseeing one of the world's most successful and popular volleyball programmes.

The PlusLiga is the top division of men's volleyball in Poland and one of the strongest club leagues in the world. The Polish Volleyball Cup provides knockout competition. The PlusLiga features clubs with massive followings, including ZAKSA, Jastrzebski Wegiel, and Skra Belchatow, which regularly compete in and win the CEV Champions League.

Poland has won three World Championship titles (1974, 2014, 2018) and an Olympic gold medal (1976). The 2014 World Championship victory on home soil was a landmark moment in Polish sport. Polish clubs have dominated the CEV Champions League in recent years, with ZAKSA winning consecutive titles. Poland is established as one of volleyball's superpowers.