Ferencvaros, the reigning European champion, and Pro Recco, the Euro Cup winner, will kick off the season with games during their promotional American tour in New York and Princeton.
However, these two clubs won’t be the only European powerhouses visiting the USA this summer.
Early in September, one of the best NCAA teams, the California Bears, will organize the Golden Bear Invitational in Berkeley.
Barceloneta and Marseille will take part in a two-day exhibition tournament. The best Spanish team won a bronze medal in the 2025 Champions League, beating Marseille in the 3rd-place match at the Final Four in Malta.
Besides the hosts and the two European great clubs, the Olympic Club from San Francisco will participate in the Golden Bear Invitational. The Olympic Club competes in the senior competitions in the USA and won a silver medal in the 2025 USA National League.
On September 5, Barceloneta will play against the Olympic Club, and Marseille will face the California Bears. A day later, the European and the American teams will switch their rivals. Barceloneta will meet the home team, and Marseille will play against the Olympic Club.
Water polo fans in the pool in Berkeley will have an opportunity to watch many medal winners at the biggest competitions, including eight reigning world champions who play for Barceloneta. Marseille head coach Milos Scepanovic was part of Spain’s coaching staff at the World Championships in Singapore.
It’s interesting that Max Casabella, who played for the California Bears, joined Barceloneta this summer, after graduating from the University of California, so he will make his debut for the Spanish champion in front of the American water polo fans.
