Abstract: Using the methods of literature review, mathematical statistics, expert interviews, the present paper conducts a study of men’s Volleyball World Championship competition pattern and development characteristics. The findings reveal that in terms of the whole competition pattern of the continents: Europe’s monopoly on medals has been broken and the situation that Europe, South America, Central and North America compete for top position has formed, while Europe still accounts for the vast majority of the medals; in terms of overall competition pattern: most of the traditional powers are still strong, but competition is becoming fiercer; the strength of Iran, Germany, Serbia, and Argentina had been on the rise. in recent years, and their gap with the traditional strong teams has remarkably narrowed; the strength of Holland, Japan, Korea, and China has comparatively declined; the development characteristics of Volleyball World Championships: World Championship tournament has been improving constantly, but still has some shortcomings; number of teams participating the championships has increased dramatically and competition is becoming increasingly fiercer; technology tends to be comprehensive, various tactics are mutually blended, physical strength have heights, speed and strength are stressed; high-techs are constantly applied; world famous men’s volleyball athlete Kiraly.

Key words: competitive sports, men’s volleyball, World Championship, development