thumb|right|250px|Outdoor Swimming Pool of the Central Lenin Stadium during the event. [[RIAN photo]]
Water polo at the 1980 Summer Olympics as usual was a part of the swimming sport, other two parts were swimming and diving. They were not three separate sports, because they all were governed by one federation — FINA. Water Polo discipline consisted of one event: men's team. In the preliminary round 12 teams were divided into three groups. Two best teams from each group (shaded ones) advanced to Group A of the final round to determine places 1 through 6. The rest of teams played in Group B of the final round to determine places 7 through 12.
The event was held between 20 and 29 July in two venues:
- the Swimming Pool of the Olimpiysky Sports Complex (central part of Moscow)
- the Outdoor Swimming Pool of the Central Lenin Stadium at Luzhniki (south-western part of Moscow)
thumb|right|250px|The USSR Team, congratulated by their fans after victory in the final. RIAN photo
Medals
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!Men's
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