Bulgaria's schedule for the third week of the preliminary phase of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2026 has been officially announced. Our national team will be part of the extremely strong tournament in the Chicago area, which will take place between July 15 and 19, 2026, at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
USA Volleyball is hosting the event, and some of the world's most elite teams will participate in the tournament – Poland, Brazil, France, USA, Bulgaria, and China.
Bulgaria, currently ranked No. 9 in the world and a silver medalist from the 2025 World Championship, will have three days of key clashes against absolute favorites.
Bulgaria's Schedule in Chicago (Week 3)
| Date | Match | Time (Chicago) | Time (Bulgaria) |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 15 (Wednesday) | Bulgaria – Poland | 12:00 | 20:00 |
| July 17 (Friday) | China – Bulgaria | 16:00 | 00:00 (July 18) |
| July 18 (Saturday) | USA – Bulgaria | 20:00 | 04:00 (July 19) |
| July 19 (Sunday) | Bulgaria – France | 16:00 | 00:00 (July 20) |
Bulgaria will start the tournament at a convenient time for local fans against world No. 1 Poland, but the next three matches are in challenging time zones – two matches after midnight and one in the early hours, making the week in Chicago an even greater test for both the team and the fans at home.
The schedule puts Bulgaria in an extremely difficult situation – four matches in five days, including against Poland (world No. 1), hosts USA, and Olympic champions France. This will be a decisive test for their form, physical endurance, and squad depth.
Tournament with Olympic and World Champions
In Chicago, teams with significant accolades will play:
Poland – VNL 2025 champions
Brazil – VNL 2025 bronze medalists
France – two-time Olympic champions
USA – Olympic 2024 bronze medalists
Bulgaria – World Championship 2025 silver medalists
China – consistent participant in the elite
Expectations are for NOW Arena to once again be full of fans and high tension, with tickets going on sale onFebruary 6.
VNL – the biggest annual tournament in world volleyball
The Nations League remains the most prestigious annual competition for national teams, with18 teamsparticipating in 2026, playing 12 matches over three weeks. The top eight advance to the finals, where the new champion will be determined.
What does Chicago mean for Bulgaria?
The tournament in Chicago could prove decisive for Bulgaria's ambitions to secure a spot in the final eight. Top-ranked opponents and matches during peak hours will provide a clear indication of the team's progress in preparation for the major goals in 2026, the most important of which is accumulating ranking points, with an eye on Los Angeles 2028.
