European Aquatics Challenger Cup

European Aquatics Challenger Cup

Current season, competition or edition: 2024–25 European Aquatics Challenger Cup
Sport	Water polo
Founded	2022
President	Patrice Coste
Country	European Aquatics members
Continent	Europe
Most recent champion(s)	Galatasaray (1st title)
Most titles	Galatasaray GS Apollon Smyrnis (1 title each)
Level on pyramid	3rd Tier (2022–2025) 4th Tier (2025–present)
Official website

The European Aquatics Challenger Cup is a water polo club competition organised by the European Aquatics. It acts as the fourth tier, below the European Aquatics Champions League, European Aquatics Euro Cup and the European Aquatics Conference Cup. GS Apollon Smyrnis of Greece became the first champions, defeating CN Terrassa of Spain in the final. ^[1] From 2024, after LEN was renamed to European Aquatics, the new name is the European Aquatics Challenger Cup.

History

The European Aquatics Challenger Cup was created by European Aquatics (formerly LEN) in 2022, with the goal of creating more opportunities for developing Water Polo nations. ^{[2] [3]}

On the 2 June 2023, LEN formally announced they would create a LEN Women's Challenger Cup, starting in the 2023–24 season. ^[4]

From 2025, after the introduction of the Conference Cup, the Challenger Cup will become the fourth tier tournament in European club water polo. ^{[5] [6] [7]}

Winners

Challenger Cup

Year		Final				Semi-finalists
		Champion	Score	Second place
2022–23 Details		GS Apollon Smyrnis	30–25 (12–11 / 18–14)	CN Terrassa		Tenerife Echeyde	Enkaspor
2023–24 Details		Galatasaray	33–19 (14–6 / 19–13)	Triglav Kranj		EVK Zaibas	SC Kreuzlingen
2024–25 Details		GZC Donk	23–22 (11–13 / 12–9)	EVK Zaibas		Sliema ASC	ZV De Zaan

Editions

• 2022–23 LEN Challenger Cup
• 2023–24 LEN Challenger Cup
• 2024–25 LEN Challenger Cup

See also

Men

• European Aquatics Champions League
• European Aquatics Euro Cup
• European Aquatics Conference Cup
• European Aquatics Super Cup

Women

• European Aquatics Women's Champions League
• European Aquatics Women's Euro Cup
• European Aquatics Women's Conference Cup
• European Aquatics Women's Challenger Cup
• European Aquatics Women's Super Cup

References

1. Boado, Carlitos (April 29, 2023). "Apollon stun Terrassa, claim historical trophy". Len.eu.
2. Curcic, Ivan (June 16, 2022). "New system of LEN competition for clubs; first Challenger Cup starts in season 2022/23".
3. Curcic, Ivan (July 18, 2022). "LEN Challenger Cup - opportunity for everyone".
4. "Big changes in European water polo club competitions - LEN - European Aquatics". www.len.eu. June 2, 2023.
5. "New European water polo competition set to boost quality and club development - European Aquatics®". April 2, 2025.
6. Curcic, Ivan (April 2, 2025). "EA launches Conference Cup and reduces number of teams in Champions League and Euro Cup qualifications".
7. https://europeanaquatics.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WATER-POLO-CLUB-COMPETITIONS-REGULATIONS-SEASON-2025-2026.pdf ^{[ bare URL PDF ]}

External links

• Official website