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23.08.2025.
Belgrade, August 25, 2025 – From January 10 to 25, 2026, Belgrade will host the European Men’s Water Polo Championship, one of the most prestigious sporting events on the continent. The best European water polo players will compete in the spectacular atmosphere of the Belgrade Arena, the largest indoor venue in the Balkans, which has already been the stage of many unforgettable sporting moments.
A total of 16 national teams will battle for the European crown at the 37th Championship, including Serbia, Spain, Croatia, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Georgia, Italy, Hungary, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, France, Slovenia, Turkiye, Malta, and Israel. Fans will have the chance to witness the finest national teams in action. Spain, the defending champion from the last tournament held in Croatia, will be aiming to retain the title, while special attention will be on Serbia’s “golden boys.”
The official draw will take place on September 13 at the White Palace in Belgrade. Water polo fans will be able to follow the event live on Arena Sport and RTS, with a live stream also available online.
The men’s tournament will open with a group stage, featuring four groups of four teams each. Every group will consist of two teams that finished among the top eight in 2024, and two teams that qualified through the preliminary rounds. Each team will play every opponent in its group, with one rest day between matches.
The top three teams from each group will advance to the next stage, forming two new groups of six – Group E (from Groups A and C) and Group F (from Groups B and D). All points earned in the group stage will be carried over to the second phase, where every team will play three more games against new opponents, followed by the knockout rounds.
The top two teams from each of the second-phase groups will move on to the semifinals, while the others will compete for placements between 5th and 12th place. Teams eliminated in the first stage will play classification matches for 13th to 16th place.
A special committee will also select the seven best players of the tournament for individual honors. In addition to the prestigious trophy and medals, MVP awards will be presented after each semifinal, the bronze medal match, and the final.
Serbia is a country where water polo has long been a national pride. Our players have consistently demonstrated not only dominance but also the character of champions. The “golden generation” has brought the nation its greatest successes – Olympic gold medals (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024), world and European titles, and World League trophies. Few sports can boast such continuity of success by a single nation, and water polo is exactly what gives Serbia that unmatched brilliance.
Under the leadership of national team head coach Uroš Stevanović, the roster of Serbia’s “golden boys” will soon be announced, and expectations are high.
In January 2026, Belgrade will transform into the European capital of water polo, with thousands of fans traveling from across the continent to support their national teams. The local fans, known for their passion and loyalty, will once again create an atmosphere worthy of champions.
The championship will not only showcase the brilliance of the best European players but also reaffirm why Serbia is proudly called the “Land of Water Polo.” Entering the tournament with a legacy of success, discipline, and sporting courage, Serbia’s “Dolphins” aim to add new chapters to their illustrious history.
The 2026 European Water Polo Championship in Belgrade will be a true celebration of sport – an event where new history will be written and where Serbia will once again prove why it is home to the world’s greatest water polo players. The stands will be full, the fans ready to give their team wings, and the entire continent watching as unforgettable moments unfold in the Belgrade Arena.
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