Nebraska part of Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge at Wrigley Field

[ASFN Admin]

Nebraska volleyball is headed to the big stage.

The Big Ten and SEC announced a partnership for the Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week on Monday, March 30, which will bring a pair of games to Wrigley Field in Chicago in 2026.

All 18 Big Ten schools and 16 SEC programs will face off in the conference vs. conference challenge, with Nebraska facing Missouri and Penn State facing Kentucky at Wrigley Field, home of the MLB's Chicago Cubs, on Sept. 6.

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"Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week culminating at Wrigley Field brings together the highest level of women’s volleyball competition, at one of the most iconic venues in the country," Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said in the announcement. "As women’s volleyball participation, sponsorship, attendance and viewership continue to grow, we look forward to providing this unique opportunity to showcase the exceptional competition."

Coming this September: Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week!

Featuring a doubleheader at iconic Wrigley Field

More info https://t.co/02HY5lcJtTpic.twitter.com/q7nuxA8hso

— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) March 30, 2026

Both games at Wrigley Field will air live on Fox, with scheduled start times of 7 p.m. ET and 9 p.m. ET. The other Big Ten vs. SEC games will start on Sept. 1, and be held leading up to the games at Wrigley Field on Sept. 6.

"Bringing the SEC and Big Ten together for a championship-caliber volleyball showcase, culminating at an iconic venue like Wrigley Field, reflects the extraordinary momentum of the sport," SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said. "This initiative not only elevates volleyball on a national stage but also underscores a continued growth and investment in women’s athletics. We are proud to be part of an event that celebrates the competitive excellence of these student-athletes while helping shape an even more prominent future for women’s athletics."

Nebraska, one of the biggest brands in college volleyball, was upset by eventual national champion Texas A&M in the NCAA Tournament last fall. The Aggies took down Kentucky, who's facing Penn State at the Wrigley Field series.


A No. 8 seed in 2025, Penn State fell to No. 1 Texas in the second round of the bracket. Missouri didn't reach the NCAA Tournament last season.

Big Ten vs SEC volleyball challenge schedule​

Here's the full schedule and matchups for the Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week in 2026

Tuesday, Sept. 1

• Tennessee vs. Illinois | Food City Center (Knoxville, Tenn.)
• Missouri vs. Oregon | Hearnes Center (Columbia, Mo.)
• Minnesota vs. Florida | UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.)
• Purdue vs. Texas A&M | Holloway Gymnasium (West Lafayette, Ind.)
• Indiana vs. Georgia | Holloway Gymnasium (West Lafayette, Ind.)
• Vanderbilt vs. Maryland | Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville)
• Arkansas vs. Rutgers | Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville, Tenn.)
• Michigan vs. South Carolina | Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
• Michigan State vs. LSU | Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.)

Wednesday, Sept. 2

• Texas vs. USC | Gregory Gymnasium (Austin, Texas)
• Kentucky vs. UCLA | Historic Memorial Coliseum (Lexington, Ky.)
• Wisconsin vs. Florida | UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.)
• Minnesota vs. Auburn | UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.)
• Purdue vs. Georgia | Holloway Gymnasium (West Lafayette, Ind.)
• Indiana vs. Texas A&M | Holloway Gymnasium (West Lafayette, Ind.)
• Vanderbilt vs. Rutgers | Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville)
• Arkansas vs. Maryland | Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville)
• Michigan vs. LSU | Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
• Michigan State vs. South Carolina | Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
• Ole Miss vs. Ohio State | UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.)

Thursday, Sept. 3

• Wisconsin vs. Auburn | UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.)
• Mississippi State vs. Iowa | Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.)
• Alabama vs. Northwestern | Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.)
• Ole Miss vs. Washington | McCasland Field House (Norman, Okla.)
• Oklahoma vs. Ohio State | McCasland Field House (Norman, Okla.)

Friday, Sept. 4

• Mississippi State vs. Northwestern | Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.)
• Alabama vs. Iowa | Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.)
• Oklahoma vs. Washington | McCasland Field House (Norman, Okla.)

Sunday, Sept. 6

• Nebraska vs. Missouri | Wrigley Field (Chicago)
• Penn State vs. Kentucky | Wrigley Field (Chicago)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nebraska volleyball part of Big Ten/SEC challenge at Wrigley Field

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