News

The Big Ten and SEC are joining forces for a landmark cross-conference event this fall.

As reported by NCAA.com, the inaugural Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week will send all 34 programs from both conferences into head-to-head competition from Sept. 1 through Sept. 6, 2026.

The week closes with a doubleheader at Wrigley Field in Chicago — the first time volleyball has ever been played at the historic Cubs ballpark.

Kentucky and Penn State will open the Wrigley event at 7 p.m. ET on Sept. 6, broadcast live on FOX. Nebraska and Missouri follow at 9 p.m. ET, also on FOX, wrapping up the entire challenge.

How the Competition Is Structured

Throughout the week, designated campus sites host two Big Ten teams alongside two SEC opponents, according to NCAA.com. Ten institutions are serving as host sites for the event, among them Oklahoma, Tennessee, Missouri, and Purdue.

Matchups span Tuesday through Friday before the weekend finale in Chicago.

Full Schedule by Day

[All times Eastern]

Tuesday, Sept. 1 opens with nine matches, including Indiana vs. Georgia on FS1 at 6 p.m., Texas A&M vs. Purdue on FS1 at 8 p.m., and Tennessee vs. Illinois on SEC Network at 7 p.m. Minnesota and Florida square off on Big Ten Network at 9 p.m., while Oregon meets Missouri on SEC Network at the same hour.

Wednesday, Sept. 2 features eleven matches. Kentucky faces UCLA on ESPN2 at 7 p.m., and Texas meets Southern California on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. Wisconsin and Florida meet on FS1 at 8 p.m., with Minnesota vs. Auburn on FS1 at 6 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 3 is lighter. Mississippi State vs. Iowa tips on SECN+ at 7 p.m., followed by Oklahoma vs. Ohio State on SECN+ at 8 p.m. Alabama and Northwestern open the day at 3 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 4 rounds out the campus portion, highlighted by Mississippi State vs. Northwestern on SECN+ at 7 p.m. Alabama and Iowa play at 3 p.m., while Oklahoma meets Washington at 3 p.m. on SECN+.

Where to Watch

Coverage is spread across FOX, FS1, ESPN2, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, BIG+, and SECN+. The Sept. 6 Wrigley doubleheader draws the most prominent broadcast slots, both on FOX in primetime.

Several earlier matches will stream on BIG+ or SECN+ without a linear television simulcast, so fans should confirm platform availability ahead of each match.

Making History in Chicago

The Wrigley Field finale stands as a genuine first. No volleyball competition of any kind has previously taken place at the century-old North Side venue.

(College volleyball has seen its share of landmark neutral-site events in recent seasons, see U.S. Men's Volleyball Meets Mexico in Pan American Cup Semifinals Sunday Night for more on the sport's growing presence in marquee settings.)

With programs from across both conferences competing over six days, the challenge represents the largest structured cross-conference event in college volleyball history to date.