This new project is in line with the Turkish Volleyball Federation’s ambition to promote their strong national leagues internationally, as they feature some of the world’s strongest players – both Turkish and foreign. It is also in line with the growing success of the Turkish national teams. As the women’s selection won both the Volleyball Nations League and the CEV Volleyball European Championship in 2026, and is already qualified for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, while the men’s squad recently achieved their best results in the history of both the FIVB Volleyball World Championships and the VNL, fans across the world will now be able to watch some of their big stars compete at the club level as well.
One of the world’s most decorated clubs in women’s volleyball – VakifBank Istanbul – has already taken the lead in the Vodafone Sultanlar Ligi 2026-2027 standings. Spearheaded by iconic Turkish middle blocker Zehra Gunes and stuffed with international stars, such as Serbia’s Tijana Boskovic, Russia’s Marina Markova and France’s Helena Cazaute, among others, VakifBank are still undefeated in four matches played.
Among the usual suspects for contention of the women’s title are also, of course, the teams of Eczacibasi Peron Istanbul with the likes of Italy’s Ekaterina Antropova, Japan’s Mayu Ishikawa, USA’s Dana Rettke, Germany’s Camilla Weitzel and Turkish top gun Ebrar Karakurt, and of Fenerbahce Medicana Istanbul with stellar presence from Italy’s Alessia Orro, Brazil’s Ana Cristina De Souza, USA’s Chiaka Ogbogu, Dominican Republic’s Brenda Castillo, Russia’s Arina Fedorovtseva and Turkish stars of the highest caliber like Eda Erdem and Melissa Vargas, to mention a few.
On the men’s side, defending SMS Grup Efeler Ligi champions Ziraat Bankart Ankara are set to shine again, with Dutch scoring machine Nimir Abdel-Aziz, magical French setter Benjamin Toniutti and his compatriot Trevor Clevenot, as well as Japanese national team captain Yuki Ishikawa, on the court.
2026 runners-up Galatasaray Mades Mobilya Istanbul’s lineup is no less impressive, as it features France’s Jean Patry, Canada’s Stephen Maar and Cuba’s Roamy Alonso, alongside Turkish stars Arslan Eksi and Efe Mandiraci. Halkbank Ankara are also certain to be among the main candidates for national honors, as their Bulgarian standout Matey Kaziyski has been joined by Brazil’s Darlan Souza, Belgium’s Sam Deroo and rising Bulgarian star Denislav Bardarov, as well as Turkish national team setter Murat Yenipazar. Fenerbahce Medicana Istanbul have also put together a statement roster, starring France’s Barthelemy Chinenyeze, USA’s Mathew Anderson, Brazil’s Fernando Kreling (Cachopa) and Turkish brothers Adis and Mirza Lagumdzija.
There is no shortage of top-notch international names on the other clubs’ team lists either. Galatasaray Daikin Istanbul’s Myriam Sylla, Ilbank Ankara’s Malwina Smarzek, THY Istanbul’s Alice Degradi, Kuzeyboru Aksaray’s Martyna Czyrnianska, Zeren Spor Ankara’s Adhuoljok Malual, Sinnada Hotels Afyon Belediye Yuntas’s Aleksandra Milanova are just some of the players to watch in the Sultanlar Ligi.
Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyesi’s Uros Kovacevic, Spor Toto Ankara’s Oreol Camejo, Gebze Belediyesi Spor’s Luka Marttila, Istanbul Genclik Spor’s Dick Kooy, ON Hotels Alanya Belediyespor’s Miguel Gutierrez Suarez and Altekma Izmir’s Jordan Ewert are among the many players expected to leave a mark with their performances in the Efeler Ligi.
The Turkish league games streamed on VBTV will be available in selected territories outside Turkiye. English commentary will be provided for priority matches.
VBTV coverage will start on Saturday, October 24, with the men’s game between Spor Toto and Halkbank, serving off at 16:00 local time (13:00 UTC), while women’s action will join in on Sunday, October 25, with titanic Istanbul clashes between VakifBank and Galatasaray at 14:00 (11:00), and between Fenerbahce and Eczacibasi at 19:00 (16:00).
