2018 Men’s Volleyball World Championship finds two hosts

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) have decided that the 2018 Men’s Volleyball World Championship will take place in both Bulgaria and Italy, as the two agree on co-hosting the 19th edition of the event. This brings new life to the tournament as it will be the first time that it has been hosted by more than one country, with the semi-finals and the finals being played in Italy. The decision was made at the trimestral meeting of the executive committee of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) on Tuesday in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The two countries aren’t strangers to hosting tournaments and even hosting tournaments together as they co-hosted the 2015 Men’s Volleyball European Championship on October 9-18. On that occasion, Sofia and Varna (Bulgaria) and Busto Arsizio and Turin (Italy) were the four locations to hold the event. They have also both individually held the world championships with 4 events to their name. Italy has held the event three times (Men’s -1978, 2010; Women’s – 2014) and Bulgaria just the once (Men and Women – 1970).

Bulgaria will also play host to the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championship in the same year which is scheduled for September in Sofia. Sofia will also host the 2017 Trampoline Gymnastics World Championship which is due to take place in November. Sofia has also been a regular venue for the FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup circuit since 2011.

There are some exciting times ahead for Bulgaria as they are set to host a number of sporting events in the coming years!

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