Zoi DVV-Pokalfinale

In the organizer's words:

Cologne will become the new home of German volleyball: from 2027, the DVV men's and women's cup finals will take place in the LANXESS arena, Germany's largest multifunctional arena with space for up to 20,000 fans. From 2026, the final will also be called the "Zoi DVV Cup Final" after IT consultancy Zoi GmbH secured the naming rights.

After eleven successful years in the SAP Arena Mannheim, the move of the DVV Cup Final to the LANXESS arena in Cologne opens up new perspectives for players, fans and partners. The move underlines the fact that volleyball in Germany is ready for the really big arenas. The LANXESS arena offers a prestigious stage for top-class sport at the highest level and at the same time guarantees an extraordinary live experience. On Saturday, February 27, 2027, the best German women's and men's volleyball teams will meet here to win the title in the prestigious DVV Cup final - and captivate the fans with world-class sport and a unique atmosphere.

The VBL and the DVV are convinced that the 2027 DVV Cup Final will attract even more spectators to the sports city of Cologne. The cup final has been one of the most popular volleyball events in Germany for years. The move to Cologne will turn the two finals into a full volleyball weekend that offers far more than just top-class sport: side events, hands-on activities, workshops and special offers for children and families are planned to get even more people interested in volleyball.

The new three-year contract with Zoi is an important building block for the further development of the event. It creates long-term planning security and provides new impetus for the staging, the fan experience and the media reach. This partnership is not only visible through the new event name, but also through a modern look and feel as well as a new logo, which the parties presented at the press conference. At the heart of the collaboration are shared values such as intrinsic motivation and strong cooperation. These principles characterize both the sport of volleyball and Zoi's corporate culture. The combination of sporting excellence and technological excellence creates a foundation that supports the sustainable development of the Zoi DVV Cup Final and further enhances the attractiveness of the event.

In addition, the new official hotel partner, the 25hours Hotel "The Circle", will support the event from 2027 with professional support for the teams and open up new opportunities for side events and hospitality offers around the final. With the strong support of the city of Cologne, the state of NRW and the dedicated Arena team, the DVV and VBL are convinced that they have created the basis for an even greater and more sustainable volleyball experience.

Voices:

Stefan Löcher, Managing Director of the LANXESS arena: "We are delighted and honored that the DVV Cup final is now taking the step into our arena! The event fits perfectly into our colorful sports portfolio and we will do everything we can to raise this format to a new level in the volleyball stronghold of NRW. In addition to the Cathedral of Handball and the Cathedral of Counterstrike, we are ready to become the Cathedral of Volleyball and turn Cologne into an annual dream destination for all fans and teams."

Gregor Timmer, Head of the City of Cologne Sports Department: "We are overjoyed that the DVV and the VBL have decided to award this high-quality event to Cologne from 2027. We want to make this event an integral part of our sporting world in Cologne. The people of Cologne, as well as the entire region, are crazy about sport, they love events like this and look forward to cheering on the athletes in the arena. The city of Cologne is at the net and is ready to turn this pass into a success with a smash."

Sophie Riedel, Managing Partner Zoi GmbH: "The DVV Cup final stands for top performance, team spirit and enthusiasm - values that also drive Zoi. With the name partnership, we want to help bring volleyball to the big stage in Germany and at the same time show that technology and sport can move people together."

Kim Oszvald-Renkema, Managing Director of the Volleyball Bundesliga (VBL): "With Zoi as a naming partner and the move to the LANXESS arena, we are putting the DVV Cup final on a strong footing for the coming years. The partnership gives us additional appeal, and in Germany's largest multifunctional arena, the cup final will have a stage that does justice to its importance and attractiveness. Together with the city of Cologne, Zoi and the arena team, we are creating a volleyball experience that radiates far beyond our sport."

René Beck, Chairman of the Board of the German Volleyball Association (DVV): "Volleyball is ready for the big stage - and the LANXESS arena is exactly the right place for it. With the Zoi DVV Cup final, we have the chance to set a record for spectators in German volleyball - an experience full of emotion and goosebumps. Together with the city of Cologne, the LANXESS arena and our partner Zoi, we are taking the next growth step, increasing the reach of our sport and inspiring new target groups for volleyball."

Elena Kömmling, outside attacker USC Münster: "I immediately associate the atmosphere of the arena with the cup final event. The cup event itself motivates people in a completely different way to other competitions because the stage is bigger. The idea of playing in front of 20,000 people is particularly motivating for us athletes: we want a big stage for our sport, we want to share our passion - you can't get more motivated than that."

Marco Makowski, General Manager 25hours Hotel The Circle: "As a sports-loving team and experienced host for athletes from almost all disciplines, we are delighted to be such an integral part of the project. With our exciting, iconic building in the heart of Cologne, we offer the best possible conditions both for the excellent accommodation of the athletes and for guests who want to experience the city at its best."

Source: Volleyball Bundesliga