At the FIVB we are always working to make sure that we build on the success of the previous year and in 2018, together, we did exactly that.

2018 will always be remembered as the year we launched the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) – the biggest revolution in volleyball in the past decade. The first edition of the VNL set new standards for fan engagement and sport entertainment and showcased volleyball in a way it has never been seen before.

It was also the year of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s and Women’s World Championships in Italy and Bulgaria, and Japan respectively. Over 115 teams in each gender category began qualification for the Championships with only 24 teams making it through to compete for the title. Some of the most iconic and advanced stadiums in the world across the three host nations were sold out for the Championships as the event once again demonstrated volleyball’s global popularity.

This global popularity was reinforced by the agreement we signed with Ganten Water who joined the volleyball family as a global partner.

Success in 2018 came not just at the elite level but also at grassroots where we engaged with more National Federations to ensure the development of our beloved sport worldwide.

After such a successful year there is no time for complacency. Next year will bring further opportunity for innovation and forward-thinking and we must leverage this to make volleyball the number one family sport. We are going to work hard to get to know our fans better and enlarge our fanbase with a younger target audience in mind.

There is so much to look forward to next year from the 2nd edition of the VNL to Olympic Qualification Tournaments and the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship and even the inaugural FIVB Snow Volleyball Tour.

Working together we have so much more we can achieve and I am confident that we will be able to realise our sport’s huge potential.

I wish you all season’s greetings and a happy and prosperous new year.

Yours in friendship

Dr. Ary S. Graça F°
FIVB President