A STRONG lineup of collegiate volleyball teams will see action in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge, with National University, College of Saint Benilde, and Far Eastern University among the leading contenders in the men’s division.

The tournament begins Saturday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City, continuing a tradition that has given varsity teams a competitive tune-up for their upcoming UAAP and NCAA seasons.

NU enters the competition as the reigning UAAP men’s champion, while CSB holds the NCAA crown. FEU, meanwhile, returns as the defending V-League Collegiate Challenge champion.

UST, De La Salle University, Letran, Mapua University, and Arellano University round out the eight-team men’s field.

The women’s competition will feature a similarly competitive cast led by UAAP semifinalists UST and Adamson, as well as NCAA champion Letran and runner-up CSB.

UE, Perpetual Help, San Beda, and Arellano will also compete in the women’s division.

Teams will first battle in a round-robin preliminary stage, with four matches—two in the men’s division and two in the women’s division—scheduled on each playdate.

Only the top four squads in each division will move on to the semifinals. The No. 1 seed will meet No. 4, while No. 2 will clash with No. 3 in a best-of-three series.

The championship series will also require two wins, while the teams battling for third place will settle the bronze medal in a single game.