FIVB Sports Regulations 2026

About the May 2026 editionChanges from November 2020

The most significant changes from the previous edition

1. A new criterion for eligibility in a sex categoryThe most significant change in this edition. Eligibility to compete in the men's or women's category is determined by the presence or absence of the Y chromosome: its presence means eligibility to compete only in the men's category, and its absence means eligibility to compete in the women's category. The text states expressly that the federation does not seek to determine the sex or gender of any person, but is establishing a criterion for participation in a competitive category, and the Board of Administration is required to review this rule periodically in the light of scientific developments.
2. SRY testing and the duty of national federationsEach national federation is responsible for proving that the players it enters are eligible to compete in the category in which they are registered, and must provide the result of an SRY test from a laboratory approved by the FIVB or the confederation. The competition's medical delegate may require an independent test where valid medical grounds exist, and who bears its cost depends on the test result.
3. Finality of the decision and the sanction for intentional breachWhere the test result does not match the registered category, the decision is final and not subject to appeal — with the qualification that the route of applying for a change of sex category remains open to the player. Intentionally entering a player in the wrong category is referred to the Disciplinary Panel.
4. The Sex Eligibility CommitteeThe name of the adjudicating body changed from the Gender Eligibility Committee to the Sex Eligibility Committee. The requirement of at least one male and one female member remains, and the committee must take into account the player's physiological development and puberty in reaching its decision.
5. A tiered fee for a change of federation of originIn place of the flat fee of fifteen thousand francs, a tiered scale now sets the amount on the basis of the difference in division between the two federations and the number of years the player has spent with the federation of origin; it ranges from twenty thousand francs down to five thousand francs.
6. New documents for a change of federationIn addition to the official form, proof of three years' continuous residence in the country of the new federation and a copy of that country's international passport are now required. Further, where the federation of origin does not consent, the power of decision was given to the Executive Committee of the federation.
7. A special route for players registered before November 2020For players who had been registered with another federation before 3 November 2020 and before the season in which they turned fourteen, a separate route with specified documents is provided: proof of a legal restriction arising from nationality laws, a residence permit, three years' continuous residence, and the player's undertaking to apply for nationality as soon as the conditions are met.
8. Route of appealAppeals against decisions under these regulations are governed by Part Three of the Disciplinary Regulations of the federation.