The Big Ten Conference and Southeastern Conference announced on Mar. 30 that Washington Volleyball will travel to Norman, Oklahoma for the first Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week in 2026. The Huskies are scheduled to play against Ole Miss on Thursday, Sept. 3, followed by a match against host Oklahoma on Friday, Sept. 4 at McCasland Field House.
The new partnership between the two conferences aims to showcase top-level women’s volleyball competition across multiple campus sites. Each location will host two teams from both the Big Ten and SEC, while Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas will also hold home matches against visiting Big Ten opponents earlier in the week.
Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti said: “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. 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.”
Broadcast coverage for Challenge Week is planned across FOX, FS1, Big Ten Network (BTN), ESPN and SEC Network (SECN), with additional streaming available through B1G+ and SECN+ platforms.
A highlight of this event is a series of matches held at Wrigley Field featuring three national champions: Nebraska versus Missouri and Penn State versus Kentucky. These contests will mark the first time volleyball has been played at Wrigley Field.
