Panasonic Arena in Osaka, the competition venue for elimination round of the AVC Men’s Champions League from May 11 to 13
Osaka, Japan, May 9, 2025 – Excitement is building for one of the Asia’s most anticipated volleyball competitions, as Japan gears up to host the inaugural AVC Men’s Champions League, a bold rebrand of the annual Asian Men’s Club Championship, in Osaka and Kyoto from May 11 to 18, featuring 12 strong club teams from across the continent including two teams from the host nation vying for top honour and a share of US$50,000 prize money.
In addition to the continental glory, the topflight tournament also serves as the qualifier for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s Club World Championship qualification. Only the top two teams from this competition will secure their spots at the world stage, which will be held later this year.
The teams have been drawn into four pools of three teams apiece, with the preliminary matches taking place from May 11 to 13 at the 3,000-seater Panasonic Arena in Hirakata City Osaka. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the knockout quarterfinals, while the third-placed teams in each pool will be eliminated.
In Pool A, Suntory Sunbirds Osaka (JPN-A), fresh from winning the inaugural men’s Daido Life SV.League and having claimed Japan’s first-ever Asian Club Championship title in 2023, will face Queensland Pirates (AUS), champions of the Australian Super League, and Aqtobe (KAZ), winners of the 2024-25 Kazakhstan Cup.
Pool B features Osaka Bluteon (JPN-B), champions of the 2024-25 Japan Volleyball Panasonic Energy Cup and runners-up in the SV.League the previous season. Their roster includes three Japan national team stars – hard-hitting Yuji Nishida, Akihiro Yamauchi and Kunihiro Shimizu. They will take on Shanghai Bright Men’s Volleyball Club (CHN), two-time Chinese Super League champions, and Cignal HD Spikers (PHI).
Notably, Cignal HD Spikers, champions of the 2022 and 2024 PNVF Champions League and the 2024 Premier Volleyball League, are being represented by the Philippines national team in this event as part of their preparation for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship which the Philippines will host this September.
Pool C includes Foolad Sirjan Iranian (IRI), which recently clinched their third men’s national title in Iran, Taichung Bank (TPE), the 2015 Asian Club champions, and Nakhon Ratchasima Qmin C VC (THA), 10-time Thailand Volleyball League champions which had competed in Asian Club Championship for four times including the 2021 edition where they finished their best-ever fourth place and recent winners of the Win Streak Invitational Tournament in Chinese Taipei.
In Pool D, Al-Rayyan Sports Club (QAT), with a decorated history including 13 Qatar Cup titles, 16 Emir Cup crowns, back-to-back West Asian Club Championship in 2023 and 2024, and runners-up in the 2013 and 2014 Asian Club Championships, will face Sport Training Center3 (VIE), the Vietnam national team replacing the 2024 Vietnam League champions Bien Phong, and Muharraq Club (BRN), champions of the 2024/25 Isa bin Rashid League and recent winners of the Crown Prince Volleyball Club on May 6.
May 14 will serve as a rest and transfer day, with the eight qualified teams (top two from each pool) moving to Kyoto for the knockout stage. The high-stakes matches will continue at the 8,635-seater Shimadzu Arena Kyoto.
Two quarterfinal duels are scheduled for May 15 and two more on May 16, with Pool A teams taking on Pool D sides (A1 vs D2, A2 vs D1) and Pool B teams facing Pool C (B1 vs C2, B2 vs C1). Semifinals will be held on May 17, followed by the bronze and gold medal matches on May 18.
The tournament is set to serve off on May 11, with Foolad Sirjan (IRI) taking on Nakhon Ratchasima Qmin C VC (THA) at 10.05 local time. Other Day 1 matches include Al-Rayyan Sports Club f(QAT) vs Muharraq Club (BRN) at 12.35, Osaka Blueteon (JPN-B) vs Cignal HD Spikers (PHI) at 15.35 and the final match between Suntory Sunbirds Osaka (JPN-A) and Queensland Pirates (AUS) in the evening.
To ensure smooth operations, the Control Committee, chaired by Ms Phenyada Fuengtharnthip from Thailand, also AVC President’s Office Director, and local organisers gathered in the meeting room inside the Panasonic Arena vicinity for the first joint meeting ahead of the opener.
Also attending the meeting were Technical Delegate Mr Raditia Rahmat Darwis from Indonesia, Technical Sub Committee Mr Toshiro Endo from Japan, Referee Delegate Mr Hamid Mohamed Ahmed Alrousi Alhammadi from the UAE, Referee Sub Committee Mr Shigeru Koshiba from Japan, Competition Technology Director Mr Pavarit Dairinram from Thailand, Medical Delegate Dr Joji Yoshizawa from Japan, Press Delegate Mr Preechachan Wiriyanupappong from Thailand, Official Photographer Mr Izumi Nakagawa from Japan and AVC Coordinator Mr Antonio Carlos Jr from the Philippines as well as the local organizers.
Ms Phenyada, speaking on behalf of AVC President Mr Ramon Suzara, welcomed all participants and provided an overview of the competition information and related activities including venue inspections, preliminary inquiry and referee/VIS clinics. The session was followed by site inspections of the competition venues, training facilities and team hotels.
However, since the teams are accommodated in five separate hotels, located tens of kilometers apart, the local organizers decided not to hold the General Technical Meeting. Instead, upon arrival, teams will proceed directly to the designated meeting room for the preliminary inquiry. There, CC Members involved including Control Committee President, Technical Delegate, Technical Sub Committee, Referee Delegate, Referee Sub Committee, Medical Delegate and Press Delegate took turns briefing the teams on important matters they needed to understand clearly ahead of the matchdays.
VolleyStation Asia Sales & Events Director Mr Oskar Kaczmarczyk also demonstrated to the teams how to use the tablets during matches including how to press the appropriate keys to substitute players on the court.
On Friday, only six teams – Suntory Sunbirds Osaka, Foolad Sirjan Iranian, Sport Training Center3, Aqtobe, Osaka Bluteon and Shanghai Bright Men’s Volleyball Club completed their preliminary inquiry, with the remaining six teams scheduled to do so the following day.
On Saturday, in addition to the second session of the preliminary inquiry, referee and VIS clinics as well as the final venue inspection will be held to ensure everything is fully prepared for Sunday’s official kickoff.
With just one day left before the opening match in Osaka, get ready for heart-pounding action featuring powerful spikes, solid blocks, precision serves and an electrifying atmosphere. The continent’s top 12 teams will rise to the occasion and battle for glory in the inaugural AVC Men’s Champions League, taking place in Osaka and Kyoto between May 11 and 18, 2025.
Click the Competition Page https://asianvolleyball.net/new/2025-avc-mens-champions-league/ for more information on match schedule, results, live scores and photos.
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