University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Brad Rempel
B1G/SEC Challenge to Begin This Fall
3/30/2026 10:19:00 AM | Volleyball
Minnesota will play Florida and Auburn at Wisconsin
ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference and Southeastern Conference (SEC) have announced a partnership for Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week, beginning in 2026. Highlighted by a doubleheader at iconic Wrigley Field, this initiative brings together the nation's premier conferences in competition that reflects the growth and national momentum of women's college volleyball.
All 18 Big Ten schools and all 16 SEC institutions will match up beginning Tuesday, September 1, culminating with a historic outdoor doubleheader at Wrigley Field on Sunday, September 6.
Minnesota will take on Florida on Tuesday, Sept. 1 and Auburn on Wednesday Sept. 2 at UW Fieldhouse in Madison, Wisconsin. The Badgers will play the same two teams on opposite nights.
"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," said Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti. "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."
The Wrigley Field event will feature three national champions with Nebraska taking on Missouri and Penn State battling Kentucky. The matches will mark the first time volleyball has been played at Wrigley Field, creating a unique experience for teams and fans alike and adding a new chapter to one of the most recognizable venues in sports.
"This is a historic moment for the Chicago Cubs, Big Ten and the SEC that has been months in the making," said Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney. "We're thrilled to welcome these incredible schools and student-athletes to the first-ever collegiate volleyball game at Wrigley Field."
Both outdoor matches will be broadcast live on FOX, with the first match scheduled for 6 p.m. CT followed by an 8 p.m. CT start time for the second match.
Challenge week showcases elite competition while elevating women's sports on the national stage. Various campus sites will serve as hosts to two Big Ten teams and two SEC teams, while Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas will host standalone home matches against Big Ten foes on Tuesday and Wednesday. Linear coverage will be available across FOX, FS1, Big Ten Network, ESPN and SEC Network, with additional coverage streamed on B1G+ and SECN+.
"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," said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. "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."
Tickets will be available to purchase starting Thursday, April 9. For more information on the two matches at Wrigley Field, visit www.cubs.com/bigtenvolleyball.
The complete Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week schedule can be found below.
All 18 Big Ten schools and all 16 SEC institutions will match up beginning Tuesday, September 1, culminating with a historic outdoor doubleheader at Wrigley Field on Sunday, September 6.
Minnesota will take on Florida on Tuesday, Sept. 1 and Auburn on Wednesday Sept. 2 at UW Fieldhouse in Madison, Wisconsin. The Badgers will play the same two teams on opposite nights.
"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," said Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti. "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."
The Wrigley Field event will feature three national champions with Nebraska taking on Missouri and Penn State battling Kentucky. The matches will mark the first time volleyball has been played at Wrigley Field, creating a unique experience for teams and fans alike and adding a new chapter to one of the most recognizable venues in sports.
"This is a historic moment for the Chicago Cubs, Big Ten and the SEC that has been months in the making," said Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney. "We're thrilled to welcome these incredible schools and student-athletes to the first-ever collegiate volleyball game at Wrigley Field."
Both outdoor matches will be broadcast live on FOX, with the first match scheduled for 6 p.m. CT followed by an 8 p.m. CT start time for the second match.
Challenge week showcases elite competition while elevating women's sports on the national stage. Various campus sites will serve as hosts to two Big Ten teams and two SEC teams, while Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas will host standalone home matches against Big Ten foes on Tuesday and Wednesday. Linear coverage will be available across FOX, FS1, Big Ten Network, ESPN and SEC Network, with additional coverage streamed on B1G+ and SECN+.
"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," said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. "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."
Tickets will be available to purchase starting Thursday, April 9. For more information on the two matches at Wrigley Field, visit www.cubs.com/bigtenvolleyball.
The complete Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week schedule can be found below.
| MATCH DATE | HOME | AWAY | LOCATION |
| Tuesday, Sept. 1 | Tennessee | Illinois | Food City Center (Knoxville, Tenn.) |
| Tuesday, Sept. 1 | Missouri | Oregon | Hearnes Center (Columbia, Mo.) |
| Tuesday, Sept. 1 | Minnesota | Florida | UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.) |
| Tuesday, Sept. 1 | Purdue | Texas A&M | Holloway Gymnasium (West Lafayette, Ind.) |
| Tuesday, Sept. 1 | Indiana | Georgia | Holloway Gymnasium (West Lafayette, Ind.) |
| Tuesday, Sept. 1 | Vanderbilt | Maryland | Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville, Tenn.) |
| Tuesday, Sept. 1 | Arkansas | Rutgers | Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville, Tenn.) |
| Tuesday, Sept. 1 | Michigan | South Carolina | Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.) |
| Tuesday, Sept. 1 | Michigan State | LSU | Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.) |
| Wednesday, Sept. 2 | Texas | USC | Gregory Gymnasium (Austin, Texas) |
| Wednesday, Sept. 2 | Kentucky | UCLA | Historic Memorial Coliseum (Lexington, Ky.) |
| Wednesday, Sept. 2 | Wisconsin | Florida | UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.) |
| Wednesday, Sept. 2 | Minnesota | Auburn | UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.) |
| Wednesday, Sept. 2 | Purdue | Georgia | Holloway Gymnasium (West Lafayette, Ind.) |
| Wednesday, Sept. 2 | Indiana | Texas A&M | Holloway Gymnasium (West Lafayette, Ind.) |
| Wednesday, Sept. 2 | Vanderbilt | Rutgers | Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville, Tenn.) |
| Wednesday, Sept. 2 | Arkansas | Maryland | Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville, Tenn.) |
| Wednesday, Sept. 2 | Michigan | LSU | Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.) |
| Wednesday, Sept. 2 | Michigan State | South Carolina | Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.) |
| Wednesday, Sept. 2 | Ole Miss | Ohio State | McCasland Field House (Norman, Okla.) |
| Thursday, Sept. 3 | Wisconsin | Auburn | UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.) |
| Thursday, Sept. 3 | Mississippi State | Iowa | Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.) |
| Thursday, Sept. 3 | Alabama | Northwestern | Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.) |
| Thursday, Sept. 3 | Ole Miss | Washington | McCasland Field House (Norman, Okla.) |
| Thursday, Sept. 3 | Oklahoma | Ohio State | McCasland Field House (Norman, Okla.) |
| Friday, Sept. 4 | Mississippi State | Northwestern | Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.) |
| Friday, Sept. 4 | Alabama | Iowa | Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.) |
| Friday, Sept. 4 | Oklahoma | Washington | McCasland Field House (Norman, Okla.) |
| Sunday, Sept. 6 | Nebraska | Missouri | Wrigley Field (Chicago, Ill.) |
| Sunday, Sept. 6 | Penn State | Kentucky | Wrigley Field (Chicago, Ill.) |
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