"The season of volleyball is back": 2026 Yeosu NH Nonghyup Cup Tournament features revamped rules and Asian Quota system... Opening on October 11

*This content was translated by AI.

The 2026 Yeosu NH Nonghyup Cup Professional Volleyball Tournament will be held from October 11 to 25 at Jinnam Gymnasium in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. Women's matches will take place from the 11th to the 18th, while men's matches will be played from the 19th to the 25th. Starting with this tournament, newly revised match rules based on the standards of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) will be applied, along with various changes such as the transition to a free agency system for the Asian Quota and the participation of a new women's team.

Ahead of the 2026-2027 season, judging criteria have been significantly revised to align with global standards.

› In/Out calls: If the ball touches the LINE at any point when it makes contact with the floor, it is judged as "IN." (Previous rule: Based on maximum pressure of the contact area)

› Court change: Teams switch courts after the end of the second set. When entering the fifth set, a coin toss determines the court and serving rights, and teams switch courts when one team reaches 8 points.

› Position fault: A position fault by the receiving team is judged based on the moment the server's serving motion (step, arm and leg movements) begins. (Previous rule: At the time of ball toss)

› Catching and net touch: Strict judgments will be made on catching-like actions, such as grabbing with the palm or changing the trajectory, in accordance with FIVB educational guidelines. Net touches are penalized only when related to a player's "actual playing action," such as jumping, hitting, or landing.

With the Asian Quota transitioning to a free agency system, significant changes have occurred in the rosters of 14 clubs. All seven men's clubs have signed new players. Yamamoto (Japan) for Korean Air, Zhang Chuan (China) for Hyundai Capital, Tarusha for KB Insurance, Usman for KEPCO, Wang Bin for Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, Martin (Iran) for Woori Card, and Faez (Iran) for OK Savings Bank have joined.

In the women's division, Jonghui (China) for Cheonggwangjang, Izshue (China) for SOOP Supers, Mimi (Japan) for Korea Expressway Corporation, and Miwa (Japan) for IBK Industrial Bank of Korea will step onto the V-League stage for the first time. Transfers among players with V-League experience have also been active, with Mega joining Hyundai Construction, Justis joining Heungkuk Life, and Tanacha starting the new season with GS Caltex.

SOOP Supers, established as the seventh women's club, will make its first official appearance through this tournament. Coach Kim Se-jin, who previously led the men's rookie team Rush & Cash to two consecutive V-League titles, has been appointed as the inaugural head coach. SOOP Supers has completed signings of domestic players including Jeon Sa-yeon, Go Ui-jeong, and Yoo Ga-ram, in addition to foreign player Odriana and Asian Quota player Izshue.

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*This content was translated by AI.