The Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) has announced a significant restructuring of the 47th Men’s African Club Championship to accommodate an unprecedented surge in participation.
With a record 30 clubs vying for continental glory, the CAVB Board confirmed on Wednesday that the upcoming tournament in Kigali will feature an expanded field and a streamlined classification process.
To manage the high volume of interest, which far exceeds the traditional cap of 25 teams, the CAVB has adopted a 30-team format. Under this revised structure, the competition will be organised into eight groups where the top two will progress to the knockout stage.
In a notable departure from tradition, the CAVB has opted to scrap classification matches for positions 17 through 30.
While previous editions utilised play-offs to determine final standings, the 2026 edition will prioritise the schedule by using a combined ranking system governed by the 2024 CAVB Competition Regulations to assign these lower-tier placements.
This decision was driven primarily by time constraints, given the sheer scale of the expanded roster. However, placement matches will remain a fixture for teams reaching the quarter-final and semi-final stages, ensuring key competitive standings are decided on the court.
Scheduled to run from April 22 to May 3, the championship holds high stakes as it serves as the official qualifier for the FIVB Men’s Club World Championship.
By modernising the format, the CAVB aims to balance the inclusivity of a record-breaking field with the logistical demands of elite international competition.
