UK Volleyball to Play at Iconic Wrigley Field Against Penn State

WRIGLEYVILLE, Ill. – The Kentucky Volleyball team will be playing Penn State on Sunday, September 6 at Wrigley Field in a historic outdoor match inside one of Major League Baseball’s most iconic venues as part of the inaugural 2026 SEC/Big Ten Volleyball Challenge.

Chicago's Wrigley Field (Photo by Jamie H. Vaught)

The match will be televised on FOX and will either have a first serve of 7 p.m. ET or 9 p.m. ET. Nebraska will play Missouri in the other match featured in the two showcase match-ups of the SEC/Big Ten Challenge. The start times for both UK vs. Penn St., and Nebraska vs. Mizzou will be confirmed at a later date.

The Chicago Cubs will be hosting the event at Wrigley Field, with all ticket sales going through the Cubs ticket office. Public ticket sales for the event begin Thursday, April 9 at 11 a.m. ET at Cubs.com/BigTenVolleyball. It will mark the first time that Wrigley Field has ever hosted volleyball.

All 18 Big Ten institutions and 16 from the Southeastern Conference are participating in the challenge as the matches will be played the week of Sept. 1, 2026, with the event culminating on Labor Day weekend in Chicago with the action at Wrigley Field.

In its first match of the SEC/Big Ten Challenge, Kentucky will play host to UCLA on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at Historic Memorial Coliseum. The Wildcats and Bruins met in the NCAA Tournament Second Round in 2025 with UK taking a 3-1 decision over UCLA to advance to the Sweet 16.

All matches of the SEC/Big Ten Challenge will be televised or will stream live on either FOX, and ESPN network, FS1, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, B1G+ and SEC Network+.

“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.”

“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.”

2026 SEC/Big Ten Volleyball Challenge

Inaugural Event

Tuesday, Sept. 1

Illinois at Tennessee

Oregon at Missouri

Florida vs. Minnesota (Madison, Wisc.)

Texas A&M at Purdue

Georgia at Indiana (West Lafayette, Ind.)

Maryland at Vanderbilt

Rutgers vs. Arkansas (Nashville, Tenn.)

South Carolina at Michigan

LSU vs. Michigan State (Ann Arbor, Mich.)

Wednesday, Sept. 2

USC at Texas

UCLA at Kentucky

Florida at Wisconsin

Auburn vs. Minnesota (Madison, Wisc.)

Georgia at Purdue

Texas A&M vs. Indiana (West Lafayette, Ind.)

Rutgers at Vanderbilt

Maryland vs. Arkansas (Nashville, Tenn.)

LSU at Michigan

South Carolina vs. Michigan State (Ann Arbor, Mich.)

Ohio State vs Ole Miss (Norman, Okla.)

Thursday, Sept. 3

Auburn at Wisconsin

Iowa at Mississippi State

Northwestern vs. Alabama (Starkville, Miss.)

Ole Miss vs. Washington (Norman, Okla.)

Ohio State at Oklahoma

Friday, Sept. 4

Northwestern at Mississippi St.

Iowa vs. Alabama (Starkville, Miss.)

Washington at Oklahoma

Sunday, Sept. 6

Kentucky vs. Penn State (Wrigleyville, Ill.) [FOX]

Nebraska vs. Missouri (Wrigleyville, Ill.)  [FOX]