It's been 60 years since volleyball made its Olympic debut in Tokyo. Since then, it has maintained its status as one of the most competitive sports across all nations.
That will be the case in this year's men's competition.
In Tokyo, France beat the Russian Olympic Committee to claim not only its first gold but first men's volleyball medal. They won this year's Volleyball Nations League, too, to set up for success entering their home country. But the Games haven't had a repeat championship since 1988, when the USA claimed its second straight title.
Speaking of Team USA, they're looking to avenge last the last Olympic results. The men claimed the bronze in Rio but crashed out in the group stage in Tokyo. They're ranked sixth in the world despite going 5-7 at the VNLs, but a tough pool will make it difficult to advance. They'll face No. 2 Japan, No. 8 Argentina, who won bronze in 2021, and No. 11 Germany.
WATCH: 2024 Olympics men's volleyball live on Fubo (free trial)
The favorite ahead of competition, though, is Poland, who claimed the bronze at VNLs. The No. 1 ranked team in the world has won just a single Olympic medal, but it's their golf to lose this time around. If they can advance out of their group, that is.
Pool B is arguably the most difficult group in the Games, with Poland, Italy, Brazil, and Egypt. Brazil and Italy are tied for the most Olympic medals in men's volleyball history with six each. While Italy has yet to win gold, Brazil has three first-place medals. And any volleyball fan knows to keep an eye on the Brazilians.
Pool play rounds out with France, Canada, Slovenia, and Serbia grouped together. All four teams are ranked in the top 10 in the world, making it anybody's game when it comes to advancing.
No one is safe in the men's volleyball competition in Paris. Upsets can and should be expected as the race for gold begins. Here's how to watch all the action.
Olympic men's volleyball TV channel, live stream 2024
- TV channel: USA, E!
- Live stream: Peacock, Fubo
Men's volleyball will be broadcast live mostly on E! and USA Network. Select matches will be available on NBC.
Every match on those channels can be streamed on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users. Peacock will also stream every match of the competition.
Olympics men's volleyball schedule
Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | TV/Live stream |
Sat., July 27 | 3 a.m. | Japan vs. Germany | Peacock |
7 a.m. | Italy vs. Brazil | USA (at 7:45 a.m.), Peacock, Fubo | |
11 a.m. | Poland vs. Egypt | Peacock | |
3 p.m. | USA vs. Argentina | USA, Fubo | |
Sun., July 28 | 11 a.m. | France vs. Serbia | Peacock |
3 p.m. | Slovenia vs. Canada | Peacock | |
5 p.m. | France vs. Serbia* | E!, Fubo | |
Tues., July 30 | 3 a.m. | Italy vs. Egypt | Peacock |
7 a.m. | USA vs. Germany | USA, Fubo | |
11 a.m. | Slovenia vs. Serbia | Peacock | |
3 p.m. | France vs. Canada | Peacock | |
3 p.m. | USA vs. Germany* | USA, Fubo | |
Wed., July 31 | 3 a.m. | Poland vs. Brazil | Peacock |
7 a.m. | Japan vs. Argentina | Peacock | |
8 p.m. | Poland vs. Brazil* | USA, Fubo | |
Fri., Aug. 2 | 3 a.m. | Argentina vs. Germany | Peacock |
7 a.m. | Brazil vs. Germany | Peacock | |
11 a.m. | France vs. Slovenia | Peacock | |
3 p.m. | Japan vs. USA | USA, Fubo | |
5 p.m. | Japan vs. USA* | NBC. Fubo | |
Sat., Aug. 3 | 12 a.m. | Japan vs. USA* | USA, Fubo |
11 a.m. | Poland vs. Italy | Peacock | |
3 p.m. | Canada vs. Serbia | Peacock | |
Mon., Aug. 5 | 3 a.m. | Quarterfinal | Peacock |
7 a.m. | Quarterfinal | Peacock | |
11 a.m. | Quarterfinal | NBC, Peacock, Fubo | |
3 p.m. | Quarterfinal | Peacock | |
6 p.m. | Quarterfinal* | USA, Fubo | |
Wed., Aug. 7 | 10 a.m. | Semifinal | NBC, Peacock, Fubo |
2 p.m. | Semifinal | Peacock | |
4 p.m. | Semifinal* | E!, Fubo | |
6 p.m. | Semifinal* | USA, Fubo | |
Fri., Aug. 9 | 10 a.m. | Bronze medal match | Peacock |
2 p.m. | Bronze medal match* | USA, Fubo | |
Sat., Aug. 10 | 7 a.m. | Gold medal match | NBC, Peacock, Fubo |
*Tape-delayed encore presentation
Olympic men's volleyball venues 2024
- Venue: South Paris Arena
All matches for men's and women's indoor volleyball will be played at South Paris Arena, specifically in Pavilion #1. It's conveniently located near beach volleyball's Eiffel Tower Stadium as well as Parc des Princes, Roland-Garros Stadium, and more
South Paris Arena will also host competitions for handball, table tennis, and weightlifting.