The 2026-27 CEV Champions League draw delivered immediate Italian firepower. In the men's competition, defending champions Sir Susa Vim Perugia were placed in Pool B alongside Turkey's Ziraat Ankara, France's Montpellier and Romania's Bucuresti. Pool D features an all-Italian derby between Lube Civitanova and wild-card entrants Itas Trentino. Rana Verona round out the Italian contingent in Pool E with Lublin (Poland), Tours (France) and a qualifier.
In the women's draw, the highlight is another Italian derby: Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano and Igor Gorgonzola Novara land in the same pool. Numia Vero Volley Milano face Fenerbahçe and former setter Alessia Orro, while Savino Del Bene Scandicci draw Eczacibasi Istanbul.
The format remains unchanged: pool winners advance directly to the quarterfinals, with runners-up and the best third-placed team contesting a playoff round for the remaining three berths. The women's competition tips off November 24, the men's on December 8.
