The Lotto Cup enters a new stage this weekend. With the top-flight teams joining the competition, the round of 16 takes place in both the men’s and women’s draws. For the National 1 and National 2 sides that came through the earlier rounds, some special encounters await. Defending champions Decospan Volley Team Menen and VC Oudegem begin their title defence, with the Lotto Cup Finals on 10 April 2027 at the AFAS Dome as the ultimate destination.


The cup competition has been underway since late August. Teams from National 1 and National 2 have battled for a place in the last sixteen. For many of those clubs, hosting a top-flight side is one of the main goals of their cup campaign: an opportunity to test themselves against the highest level in front of their own supporters.

That opportunity arrives for several teams this weekend. Meanwhile, direct encounters between top-flight clubs mean some will have to give up their cup ambitions at an early stage.

Men: Menen get things started, Booischot prepare for a double cup occasion

Defending champions Decospan Volley Team Menen open the round of 16 tonight with a trip to National 1 side Caruur Volley Gent B. Knack Roeselare B and Rembert Torhout, both competing in National 2, will also welcome top-flight opposition. On Saturday, they host Thuismakers Brabo Antwerp and Lindemans Aalst respectively.

Three all-top-flight encounters complete Saturday’s programme: Knack Roeselare–Waremme Volley, Tectum Achel–VBC Guibertin and Caruur Volley Gent–Golazo Haasrode Leuven.

A special Sunday awaits in Booischot, where two round-of-16 matches will take place at De Lichten sports hall. At 15:00, the club’s National 2 team hosts VC Greenyard Maaseik, the 2026 cup finalists. At 18:30, its National 1 side takes on fellow National 1 team BW Nivelles.

Booischot B earned their meeting with Maaseik by eliminating two teams from the division above: Stekene and then Puurs. With two sides among the last sixteen, the club has already enjoyed a memorable cup campaign.

The match between Booischot A and Nivelles also guarantees that at least one National 1 team will reach the quarter-finals. The winners will face either Achel or Guibertin.

No repeat of the Menen–Maaseik final

The two 2026 finalists are in the same half of this season’s draw, ruling out another final between Menen and Maaseik. If both teams win their first two matches, they will meet in the semi-finals.

Maaseik could face Knack Roeselare as early as the quarter-finals. Menen, meanwhile, will take on either Knack Roeselare B or Brabo Antwerp if they advance. In the other half of the draw, the winners of the matches in Achel, Booischot, Torhout and Ghent will continue their pursuit of a place in the final.

Women: Oudegem start at home, strong matchups in Beveren and Roeselare

In the women’s competition, defending champions VC Oudegem begin their campaign at home to KwadrO Amigos Sint-Antonius Zoersel on Sunday. Having beaten Darta Bevo Roeselare in last season’s final, Oudegem take the first step in their title defence in front of their own supporters.

Roeselare face a demanding opening assignment. Last season’s runners-up host CapitalAtWork BAO Tchalou Volley on Sunday. Another intriguing encounter takes place in Beveren, where Asterix Avo welcome ES Charleroi Volley.

Asterix approach that cup tie on the back of European qualification. On Thursday in Maribor, they secured their place in the final qualifying round of the Champions League. After losing the return leg 3-1, the Belgian side won the golden set 15-6. FC Porto await in the next European round, but attention now turns to the Belgian Cup.

Teams from the national divisions also have a chance to upset top-flight opponents. Grinta Valentino Lint host Damesvolley Dok Noord Gent on Saturday, while Damesvolley Waregem welcome Vamos Stekene-Sint-Gillis-Waas on Sunday. Volley Noorderkempen–Vlavo Saturnus Michelbeke and HVC Helchteren–SAB Diving Brabo Antwerp complete the ties involving top-flight teams.

A guaranteed quarter-final place for National 1

The round-of-16 meeting between Darta Bevo Roeselare B and Limal Ottignies Smashing comes with an attractive prospect. Both teams compete in National 1, guaranteeing that the division will also be represented in the women’s quarter-finals.

The winners will earn a home match against either Asterix Avo Beveren or ES Charleroi Volley. For Roeselare B and Limal, Saturday therefore offers both a place in the last eight and another major cup occasion in front of their own fans.

A repeat of the women’s final remains possible

Unlike in the men’s draw, the 2026 women’s finalists could meet again at the AFAS Dome. Oudegem and Roeselare are on opposite sides of the bracket.

If Oudegem beat Amigos, they will face either Grinta Valentino Lint or Damesvolley Dok Noord Gent in the quarter-finals. Should Roeselare get past Tchalou, they will meet the winners of Waregem–Vamos. Further along in that same half of the draw, a meeting with Asterix or Charleroi is also possible.

The potential routes to the final are set. This weekend will decide which teams get to continue their cup journey.