Chinese Volleyball Super League
Chinese professional volleyball league
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chinese Volleyball Super League, often abbreviated to CVL, are the pre-eminent men's and women's professional volleyball leagues in China. It was founded in 1996 as the Chinese Volleyball League and is organized by the Chinese Volleyball Association (CVA). The league was rebranded to the Chinese Volleyball Super League when it became fully professional in 2017. The champions qualify for the Asian Men's and Asian Volleyball Women's Champions League.
Current season, competition or edition: 2025–26 Chinese Men's Volleyball Super League2025–26 Chinese Women's Volleyball Super League | |
| |
| Sport | Volleyball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1996 |
| No. of teams | M: 14 W: 14 |
| Country | China |
| Continent | AVC (Asia) |
| Most recent champions | M: Shanghai Bright (2024–2025) W: Jiangsu Zenith Steel (2024–2025) |
| Most titles | M: Shanghai Bright (18 titles) W: Tianjin Bohai Bank (16 titles) |
| Broadcasters | CCTV-5, Provincial satellite channels |
| Official website | www |
The women's league normally starts in November and ends in March of the following year, while the men's league starts in October and ends in February of the following year, lasting for about four months. The league is divided into four stages: the first two stages normally called as "Regular Season", and the last two stages called as "Playoffs".
The number of teams has increased from 12 to 14 since Season 2017/18, for both men's and women's leagues. Due to COVID-19, Seasons 2020/21 & 2021/22 shorten the competition to about 2 months, and held at a designated venue.
Start from Season 2024/25, the league is divided into Division A and Division B, Division A are the top eight ranked teams of last season. At the end of the season, the winner of Division B against with the last ranked team of Division A to qualify for the Division A of next season.
Format
The both men and women's leagues use the same format.
- First stage (Regular)
The first stage is a double round-robin match of home and away games. According to the rankings of last season, divided into two divisions, A and B. The top six teams of Division A qualify to Playoffs, while the last two ranked teams join the Qualification Playoffs to play against with the top two teams of Division B, the winners qualify to Playoffs.
- Second stage (Playoffs)
The teams of Division A divided into two groups and play double round-robin match of home and away games. The top two teams of each group qualify to Semi-Finals, while the last two ranked teams of each group qualify to placement matches.
- Third stage (Semi-Finals)
According to the group result of last stage, The A1 plays against B2, and the B1 plays against A2. Use three games and two wins.
- Fourth stage (Finals)
A best-of-five-game system is adopted. The top teams in the first stage, first away game, then two home games, then one away game and one home game.
Men's Super League
Current clubs (14 teams)
Teams in Men's League (2025–26)
| Team | Arena | Capacity | City/Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Division A | |||
| Beijing BAIC | Beijing Guangcai Stadium | 2,800 | Beijing |
| Guangdong Taishan | Taishan Gymnasium | 3,000 | Taishan |
| Hubei Baoding | Xingrui Gymnasium | 3,200 | Baoding |
| Liaoning | Weinan Sports Training Base | 4,000 | Shenyang |
| Shandong Qingdao Xinglun Youyou | Qingdao University Gymnasium | 6,000 | Qingdao |
| Shanghai Bright | Luwan Sports Centre | 3,500 | Shanghai |
| Tianjin Food Group | Tianjin People's Arena | 3,400 | Tianjin |
| Zhejiang Deqing | Deqing Sports Center Gymnasium | 3,000 | Deqing |
| Division B | |||
| Fujian | Fujian Normal University General Gymnasium | 3,000 | Fuqing |
| Henan | Nanyang Sports Center Gymnasium | 5,880 | Nanyang |
| Hebei Dongchu | Xingtai City Stadium | 4,500 | Xingtai |
| Hubei | Hubei Institute of Engineering Gymnasium | Xiaogan | |
| Jiangsu | Nanjing University Gymnasium | 3,954 | Nanjing |
| Sichuan | Shuangliu Sports Center | 3,400 | Chengdu |
Winners of Previous Seasons
| Season | Champions  | Runners-up  | 3rd place  |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–2025 | Shanghai Bright | Hubei Baoding | Tianjin Food Group |
| 2023–2024 | Shanghai Bright | Beijing BAIC Motor | Zhejiang |
| 2022–2023 | Beijing BAIC Motor | Shanghai Bright | Zhejiang |
| 2021–2022 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | ||
| 2020–2021 | Beijing BAIC Motor | Shanghai Bright | Jiangsu |
| 2019–2020 | Shanghai Golden Age | Jiangsu | Shandong |
| 2018–2019 | Shanghai Golden Age | Beijing BAIC Motor | Jiangsu |
| 2017–2018 | Shanghai Golden Age | Beijing BAIC Motor | Sichuan |
| 2016–2017 | Shanghai Golden Age | Beijing BAIC Motor | Sichuan |
| 2015–2016 | Shanghai Golden Age | Beijing BAIC Motor | Shandong |
| 2014–2015 | Shanghai Golden Age | Shandong | Beijing BAIC Motor |
| 2013–2014 | Beijing BAIC Motor | Shanghai Golden Age | Shandong |
| 2012–2013 | Beijing BAIC Motor | Bayi | Henan |
| 2011–2012 | Shanghai | Bayi | Liaoning |
| 2010–2011 | Shanghai | Jiangsu | Bayi |
| 2009–2010 | Shanghai | Bayi | Jiangsu |
| 2008–2009 | Shanghai | Henan | Bayi |
| 2007–2008 | Shanghai | Liaoning | Henan |
| 2006–2007 | Shanghai | Liaoning | Henan |
| 2005–2006 | Shanghai | Jiangsu | Bayi |
| 2004–2005 | Shanghai | Liaoning | Bayi |
| 2003–2004 | Shanghai | Zhejiang | Bayi |
| 2002–2003 | Zhejiang | Shanghai | Liaoning |
| 2001–2002 | Jiangsu | Zhejiang | Liaoning |
| 2000–2001 | Jiangsu | Bayi | Zhejiang |
| 1999–2000 | Shanghai | Jiangsu | Bayi |
| 1998–1999 | Sichuan | Jiangsu | Chengdu |
| 1997–1998 | Sichuan | Jiangsu | Zhejiang |
| 1996–1997 | Sichuan | Zhejiang | Liaoning |
Most valuable player by edition
- 2014–2015 –
Cristian Savani (ITA) - 2015–2016 –
Thomas Edgar (AUS) - 2016–2017 –
Jiang Chuan (CHN) - 2017–2018 – Jiang Chuan (CHN)
- 2022–2023 – Liu Ze (CHN)
- 2023–2024 – Peng Shikun (CHN)
- 2024–2025 – Zhang Zhejia (CHN)
Titles by clubs
| Ranking | Team | Titles | Champions Year(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shanghai Bright | 18 | 1999/00, 2003/04–2011/12, 2014/15–2019/20, 2023/24–2024/25 |
| 2 | Beijing BAIC Motor | 4 | 2012/13, 2013/14, 2020/21, 2022/23 |
| 3 | Sichuan | 3 | 1996/97–1998/99 |
| 4 | Jiangsu | 2 | 2000/01, 2001/02 |
| 5 | Zhejiang | 1 | 2002/03 |
Women's Super League
Current clubs (14 teams)
Teams in Women's League (2025–26)
| Team | Arena | Capacity | City/Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Division A | |||
| Beijing Arctic Ocean | Beijing Guangcai Stadium | 2,800 | Beijing |
| Fujian Anxi Tiekuanyin | Wutong Gymnasium | 3,000 | Anxi |
| Henan Shuanghui | Luohe City Sports Center Gymnasium | 4,000 | Luohe |
| Jiangsu Zenith Steel | Changzhou University Gymnasium | 5,000 | Changzhou |
| Liaoning Donggang Strawberry | Donggang Gymnasium | 3,000 | Donggang |
| Shandong Rizhao Steel | Rizhao Xianghe Sports Park | 6,000 | Rizhao |
| Shanghai Bright Ubest | Luwan Sports Centre | 3,500 | Shanghai |
| Tianjin Bohai Bank | Tianjin People's Stadium | 3,400 | Tianjin |
| Division B | |||
| Guangdong Shenzhen Zhongsai | Longhua Culture & Sport Center | 6,500 | Shenzhen |
| Hebei | Xingtai City Stadium | 4,500 | Xingtai |
| Jiangxi Shangrao Aofei | Shangrao Sports Center Gymnasium | 3,800 | Shangrao |
| Sichuan | Gao County Cultural and Sports Center | 3,000 | Gao County |
| Yunnan University Dianchi College | Qujing Cultural Sports Park Gymnasium | 5,000 | Qujing |
| Zhejiang Xitang | Jiashan County Stadium | 3,100 | Jiashan |
Winners of Previous Seasons
Most valuable player by edition
- 1996-1997 – Wang Yi (CHN)
- 1997-1998 – Zhu Yunying (CHN)
- 1998–1999 – Sun Yue (CHN)
- 1999–2000 – vacant
- 2000–2001 – Ma Suo (CHN)
- 2001–2002 – Zhao Ruirui (CHN)
- 2002–2003 – Zhang Ping (CHN)
- 2003–2004 – Yang Hao (CHN)
- 2004–2005 – Zhou Suhong (CHN)
- 2005–2006 – Yang Hao (CHN)
- 2006–2007 – Liu Yanan (CHN)
- 2007–2008 – Li Juan (CHN)
- 2008–2009 – Yin Na (CHN)
- 2009–2010 – Wei Qiuyue (CHN)
- 2010–2011 –
Jovana Brakočević (SRB) - 2011–2012 – Wei Qiuyue (CHN)
- 2012–2013 –
Katarzyna Skowrońska (POL) - 2013–2014 – Li Jing (CHN)
- 2014–2015 – Hui Ruoqi (CHN)
- 2015–2016 – Zhang Changning (CHN)
- 2016–2017 – Zhang Changning (CHN)
- 2017–2018 – Li Yingying (CHN)
- 2018–2019 – vacant
- 2019–2020 – Zhu Ting (CHN)
- 2020–2021 – Zhu Ting (CHN)
- 2021–2022 – Li Yingying (CHN)
- 2022–2023 – Li Yingying (CHN)
- 2023–2024 – Li Yingying (CHN)
- 2024–2025 – Wu Mengjie (CHN)
Titles by clubs
| Ranking | Team | Titles | Champions Year(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tianjin Bohai Bank | 16 | 2002/03–2004/05, 2006/07–2010/11, 2012/13, 2015/16, 2017/18, 2019/20-2023/24 |
| 2 | Shanghai Bright Ubest | 5 | 1996/97–2000/01 |
| 3 | Bayi Shenzhen | 2 | 2001/02, 2014/15 |
| 4 | Jiangsu Zenith Steel | 2 | 2016/17, 2024/25 |
| 5 | Liaoning Brilliance Auto | 1 | 2005/06 |
| 6 | Guangdong Evergrande | 1 | 2011/12 |
| 7 | Zhejiang Jiashan Rural Commercial Bank | 1 | 2013/14 |
| 8 | Beijing BAIC Motor | 1 | 2018/19 |
Official sponsorship / Kit provider
| Sponsor seasons | Sponsor |
|---|---|
| 1996–1997 | 金施爾康 |
| 1997–1998 | – |
| 1998–2000 | Vinda International |
| 2000–2007 | BBK Electronics |
| 2007–2010 | Anta Sports |
| 2010–2016 | 361˚ |
| 2016–2017 | – |
| 2017–2025 | Peak Sport Products |
| 2025–present | Anta Sports |
Performance in Asian Club Championship
Men
Main: Asian Men's Club Volleyball Championship
| Season | Club | Place | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | N/a | N/a | N/a |
| 2020 | N/a | N/a | N/a |
| 2019 | N/a | N/a | N/a |
| 2018 | Sichuan | 12th | N/a |
| 2017 | Beijing BAIC Motor | 6th | N/a |
| 2016 | Shanghai Golden Age | 4th | N/a |
| 2015 | Beijing BAIC Motor | 5th | N/a |
| 2014 | Beijing BAIC Motor | 3rd |  Li Runming (Best Setter) |
| 2013 | Liaoning | 4th | N/a |
| 2012 | Shanghai Tang Dynasty | 2nd | Tong Jiahua (Best Libero) |
| 2011 | Shanghai Tang Dynasty | 3rd | N/a |
| 2010 | Shanghai Tang Dynasty | 4th | N/a |
Women
Main: Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship
| Season | Club | Place | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Liaoning Donghua | 3rd |
|
| 2021 | N/a | N/a | N/a |
| 2020 | N/a | N/a | N/a |
| 2019 | Tianjin Bohai Bank | 1st |
|
| 2018 | Jiangsu Zenith Steel | 3rd |
|
| 2017 | Tianjin Bohai Bank | 3rd |
|
| 2016 | Bayi Shenzhen | 2nd |
|
| 2015 | Zhejiang | 3rd |
|
| 2014 | Tianjin Bohai Bank | 2nd | |
| 2013 | Guangdong Evergrande | 1st |
|
| 2012 | Tianjin Bridgestone | 1st |
|
| 2011 | Tianjin Bridgestone | 2nd | |
| 2010 | Tianjin Bridgestone | 4th | N/a |
| 2009 | Tianjin Bridgestone | 2nd |
|
| 2008 | Tianjin Bridgestone | 1st |
|
Performance in FIVB World Club Championship
Men
Main: FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship
| Season | Club | Place | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | did not qualify | ||
| 2022 | did not qualify | ||
| 2021 | did not qualify | ||
| 2020 | cancelled | ||
| 2019 | did not qualify | ||
| 2018 | did not qualify | ||
| 2017 | Shanghai Golden Age | 5th | N/a |
| 2016 | did not qualify | ||
| 2015 | did not qualify | ||
| 2014 | did not qualify | ||
| 2013 | did not qualify | ||
| 2012 | did not qualify | ||
| 2011 | did not qualify | ||
| 2010 | did not qualify | ||
Women
Main: FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship
| Season | Club | Place | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Tianjin Bohai Bank | 2nd |
|
| 2023 | Tianjin Bohai Bank | 3rd | Li Yingying (Best Outside Spiker) |
| 2022 | did not qualify | ||
| 2021 | did not qualify | ||
| 2020 | cancelled | ||
| 2019 | Guangdong Evergrande Tianjin Bohai Bank |
7th 8th |
N/a |
| 2018 | Zhejiang | 7th | N/a |
| 2017 | did not qualify | ||
| 2016 | did not qualify | ||
| 2015 | did not qualify | ||
| 2014 | did not qualify | ||
| 2013 | Guangdong Evergrande | 3rd | Shen Jingsi (Best Setter) |
| 2012 | Tianjin Bohai Bank | 5th | N/a |
| 2011 | did not qualify | ||
| 2010 | did not qualify | ||