The Volleyball Nations League Medal Table (2018–2025) summarizes national team performance across all editions of the competition. Unlike individual tournament results, it highlights long-term consistency and the evolution of competitive balance in international volleyball.
Since its introduction in 2018, the VNL has developed into a tournament where dominance shifts between cycles rather than remaining with a single nation. This makes the medal distribution one of the clearest indicators of how global volleyball has evolved in the modern era.
All medal counts below are verified against official FIVB and Volleyball World records through the 2025 edition. The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so no medals were awarded that year. For a detailed explanation of how teams qualify, earn points, and advance through the tournament, see our complete guide to the VNL format.
Women’s VNL Medal Table (2018–2025)
The women’s competition shows a clear evolution of competitive power. Early editions were dominated by the United States, while later seasons saw a stronger European presence led by Italy, alongside breakthroughs from Türkiye.
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Italy | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Türkiye | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Brazil | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| China | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Poland | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Japan | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Serbia | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Gold breakdown — USA: 2018, 2019, 2021. Italy: 2022, 2024, 2025. Türkiye: 2023.
The early VNL cycle (2018–2021) was defined by the dominance of the United States, which won the first three editions on the back of a deep, tactically disciplined system. From 2022 onward, Italy emerged as the leading force, claiming three of the four most recent titles. Türkiye’s 2023 victory marked a significant rise in competitiveness, while Brazil remains the tournament’s hard-luck story — four silver medals without a single gold. Poland’s three consecutive bronze medals (2023–2025) reflect a newly consistent podium presence.
Men’s VNL Medal Table (2018–2025)
The men’s competition has been highly competitive since its inception, with multiple nations sharing success across different seasons and no single long-term dominant force.
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| France | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Russia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Brazil | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| United States | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Japan | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Italy | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Gold breakdown — Russia: 2018, 2019. Brazil: 2021. France: 2022, 2024. Poland: 2023, 2025.
The men’s VNL has remained balanced throughout its history, with success rotating between several elite nations. In the early phase, Russia won the first two editions and Brazil broke through in 2021. As the competition evolved, Poland and France became the defining forces of the modern era. Poland is the standout: the only nation to medal in every edition except the inaugural 2018, finishing with more total medals than anyone. The United States has reached three finals (2019, 2022, 2023) but never converted to gold, while Japan’s rise (bronze 2023, silver 2024) and Italy’s first-ever VNL medal (silver 2025) signal a widening field.
Combined Medal Table (Men’s + Women’s, 2018–2025)
Merging both competitions reveals which nations have built the broadest volleyball programs across genders. Ranked by gold, then silver, then bronze.
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| Italy | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Poland | 2 | 1 | 6 | 9 |
| France | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Russia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Brazil | 1 | 4 | 1 | 6 |
| Türkiye | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Japan | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| China | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Serbia | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
The combined view tells two very different stories. The United States leads on gold (3) thanks entirely to its early women’s dynasty, but has never won a men’s title. Poland holds the most total medals of any nation — nine across both genders — driven by an extraordinarily consistent men’s program and three women’s bronzes. Brazil appears six times on the podium yet has only one gold, underlining its recurring runner-up role in both competitions.
Key Evolution Trends
Three phases of the VNL era
- Phase 1 (2018–2021): United States dominance in the women’s competition; a balanced men’s field led by Russia, then Brazil.
- Phase 2 (2022–2025): a clear shift toward European powers — Italy, Poland, and France became the central competitive forces.
- Phase 3 (ongoing): increasing parity, with more nations reaching finals and first-time medallists like Italy’s men appearing on the podium.
Notable Medal Records
- Most total medals (men): Poland — 6 (2 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze)
- Most total medals (combined): Poland — 9 across both genders
- Most total medals (women): Brazil — 4, all silver
- Most gold (women): United States and Italy — 3 each
- Most gold (men): France, Russia, and Poland — 2 each
- Only nation to medal every year (men, except 2018): Poland
- Best “nearly” team: Brazil’s women — four silvers, never gold
Historical Significance
The VNL Medal Table confirms that modern international volleyball is no longer defined by long-term national dominance. Instead, success is distributed across multiple elite teams that peak in different competitive cycles. This cyclical structure has become one of the defining characteristics of the Volleyball Nations League.
This article is part of a broader Volleyball Nations League analytical series that also includes VNL Champions, VNL MVP Winners, and the upcoming VNL Records study. Together, these articles form a structured and interconnected knowledge framework of international volleyball performance.
Updated 2025 Verified
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