England’s volleyball best set for battle at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre
Volleyball England’s Final 4 is coming to London’s Crystal Palace National Sports Centre for the very first time as the best teams in the country battle it out to be crowned national champions.
The men’s and women’s teams who finished in the top four of the 2024-25 Super League regular season go head to head in front of their passionate fans for overall glory on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th April 2025.
Teams packed with overseas stars and England internationals will first play in the four knockout semi-finals on Saturday (11.30am start), followed by the gold and bronze medal matches on Sunday (10am start).
“There is a very large, diverse and enthusiastic volleyball community in London and we hope they will be very excited to have what is one of English indoor volleyball’s flagship events happening on their doorstep,” said Volleyball England’s Strategic Manager for An Ace Service, Rob Payne.
“The support for the last summer's Queen & King of the Court event in London was terrific and most welcome. To have that kind of backing again for Final 4 would really lift the atmosphere and make it a great competition to play in.”
Women’s semi-final one sees Malory Eagles women - seeking their first title of the Super League era after winning the old top-flight Division 1 championship five times in six attempts in the noughties - take on a Lionhearts Vinarius side who have gone from relegation-threatened to title contenders in one season.
Lionhearts’ Head Coach Davide Tiberti said: “This time last year, everybody believed that we were dead and buried in terms of going out of Super League, but now we are at Final 4. We go into it as underdogs, but we know if we can play two matches as we you we can, we can win it.”
In the second semi-final, last season’s Super League runners-up and National Cup winners, Team SideOut Polonia, go head to head with an Essex Rebels team who won nine of their last 10 league matches.
Polonia’s Head Coach, Mark Kontopoulos, said: “I think everybody in our squad is loving the fact that it's in London... it’s incredibly exciting. In fact, I think the whole London Volleyball community is excited about the event, and we’ll hope they’ll be a great crowd there to watch it.”
On the men’s side, regular season table toppers Essex Rebels will be out to secure their maiden overall Super League title and take on the season’s surprise package, Newcastle Knights, in the first-semi-final.
Rebels’ Head Coach Alex Porter said: “I think Crystal Palace is a great option for the Super League Final 4 because London has the largest volleyball population and I think they will come out and support. Having a few of London teams in the mix as well will be brilliant because they'll bring their fanbases... and who doesn't love playing in front of a crowd?”
Serial trophy winners Malory Eagles men will then face form team London Giants, who have stormed through into the play-offs in the second half of the season after promotion at the end of 2023-24, in the second semi-final.
Michail Stoev, Head Coach of the Giants said: “I’ve played at Crystal Palace in the past and it’s a great environment to be in with lots of noise from the crowd. We had a Super League Live event at Crystal Palace earlier in the season and our juniors regularly hold sessions there, so it’s a venue where comfortable and familiar with and I’m sure it’s going to be a great couple of days for all involved.”
Additional entertainment and games will also be part of the weekend fun, making it an occasion to enjoy whether you’re a family, a group of student friends or long-standing volleyball enthusiasts.