Defending champions Malory Eagles – who also won the Women the MAAREE Women’s Super League title in April – will host fellow Final 4 qualifiers last season, London Vinarius, in a mouth-watering all-London tie.
In the men’s draw, National Cup winners in 2024, Durham Palatinates, will host DYNAMIK Men’s Super League winners in 2025, London Giants.
Both the women’s and the men’s National Cups this coming season will feature England U20 teams, who will play their opening matches away from home.
The women’s team who will be coached by Darren Lewis, will face last season’s National Shield semi-finalists, Northampton.
The men, meanwhile, who will be led into action by Sam Shenton, will make the trip to the capital to take on Division 1 side London Aces.
Other ties of note in the women’s competition see Super League Durham Platinates host Loughborough Students and Division 1 newcomers Manchester Marvels travel to another top-flight side in Darkstar Derbyshire, who reached the semi-final last season.
Super League sides Essex Rebels and Team SideOut Polonia were among those given byes.
In the men’s section, Richmond Docklands, who preserved their Super League status for this coming season via the end-of-season play-offs visit Tamworth Spartans, while Leeds Gorse, newly-promoted back to Super League for 2025-26, go to Loughborough Students.
Reigning champions Essex Rebels will begin their title defence by hosting Division 1 newcomers Manchester Marvels.
Byes were handed to the likes of Malory Eagles, who have made the quarter-finals for each of the last 20 years, 2025 National Shield winners Wessex and 2016 and 2017 winners IBB Polonia London.
The Last 64 and Last 32 ties of the National Shield were also drawn among a record 163 teams entering the four competitions.
You can watch the full draws for all of those matches on the Volleyball England YouTube Channel here.
Following three preliminary ties played on 6th and 7th September, Last 64 National Shield ties will be played on 27th and 28th September, while Last 32 matches in both competitions will take place on 1st and 2nd November.
