A comprehensive guide to volleyball at the Paris 2024 Olympics, including the new format and qualification process
By RubaiSport
Posted Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Discover the new 2024 volleyball format and the intense competition as teams battle for a chance to spike their way to Olympic glory
Volleyball has been a staple Olympic sport since 1964, captivating audiences with its fast-paced and high-flying action. As we approach the Paris 2024 Olympics, volleyball teams from around the world are preparing to compete in an epic showdown for the coveted gold medal.
The volleyball tournament at Paris 2024 will feature a new format. Since Atlanta 1996, both the men's and women's tournaments split 12 teams into two groups of six, with the top four in each group advancing to the quarterfinals. At Paris 2024, the 12 teams will be split into three groups of four, with the top two in each group and the two best third-placed teams advancing to the quarterfinals. This is the same format as the women's football tournament.
With the level of competition in volleyball continuing to rise, the journey to Olympic qualification will be tough for teams worldwide. The Olympic tournament will feature some of the world's best teams, with fans eagerly awaiting the start of the competition. The journey to Olympic qualification for the volleyball tournament consists of several pathways, with only 12 teams ultimately earning a spot at the Olympics. Let's take a closer look at each of these pathways and the teams involved.
Qualified teams
As the host nation, France automatically qualifies for both the men's and women's volleyball tournaments. The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) will hold several qualification tournaments for the Paris 2024 Olympics in September and October 2023, featuring the top 24 men's and women's teams. The teams will be split into three separate tournaments for each gender, with the top two teams from each tournament earning a spot at Paris 2024. The remaining five spots for Paris 2024 will be awarded to the five highest-ranked men's and women's teams not already qualified from the World Rankings in June 2024.
30 September - 8 October 2023. The top 24 ranked teams on 12 September 2022 were eligible to participate in the FIVB Olympic Qualification Tournaments. The teams were split into three separate tournaments with the top two teams from each tournament qualifying for Paris 2024.
16-24 September 2023. The top 24 ranked women's teams on 12 September 2022 were eligible to participate in the FIVB Olympic Qualification Tournaments. The teams were split into three separate tournaments with the top two teams from each tournament qualifying for Paris 2024.
June 2024. Five men's and five women's teams not already qualified for Paris 2024 will be selected from the World Rankings to participate in Paris 2024 following the conclusion of the Volleyball Nations League preliminary phase (17 June 2024 for women, 24 June 2024 for men). Teams for each gender will be selected in the following order:
The highest ranked team from each continent without a team already qualified for Paris 2024.
The highest ranked team/s (irrespective of continent) not already qualified for Paris 2024 to fill the remaining places.
