(UW ATHLETICS) – Head coach Kelly Sheffield of the Wisconsin volleyball team and the Big Ten Conference announces its complete 2026 schedule of opponents. The schedule is highlighted by 11 teams that finished in the Top 25 final rankings in 2025, and the inaugural Big Ten Tournament that will be held at Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana.
Also new to this upcoming season, the Badgers will kick-off the campaign with an alumni match on August 8 and an exhibition match on August 15 respectively. During the alumni match, the 2025 NCAA National Semifinalists Banner will be revealed with the help of Mimi Colyer, Alicia Andrew, Carter Booth and Jada Cerniglia.
The Badgers will take on one of its toughest non-conference schedules to date. Of the nine teams UW will face in the non-conference slate, eight finished in the Top 60 in RPI last year.
The Cardinal and White opens the regular season at the AVCA First Serve at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Wisconsin opens the season on August 21 with a rematch of last year’s NCAA National Semifinals against the Kentucky Wildcats. The next day, UW will take on Louisville.
Partaking once again in the Opening Spike Classic, the Badgers will face a familiar opponent in Stanford and 2025 NCAA National Semifinalist, Pittsburgh. The Opening Spike Classic will take place this year at the Petersen Events Center (“The Pete”) in Pittsburgh. The Badgers and Cardinal will face off on August 28 and then against Pitt two days later.
Instead of the Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge, this season features the inaugural Big Ten/SEC Challenge as Wisconsin will host Florida and Auburn at the UW Field House on September 2-3. This marks the first time in program history where the Badgers will take on Auburn.
The remaining non-conference schedule includes a stop in Texas to take on the reigning National Champions in Texas A&M and the Texas Longhorns. Wisconsin will be in College Station on September 11 and Austin on September 13. Lastly, Wisconsin will host Marquette and Milwaukee a week later on September 17 and 18.
Also announced are the home and away Big Ten designations. Because of the establishment of the Big Ten Tournament, each team will face each other once over the course of the season.
The Big Ten Tournament will feature a 15-team format and be held at Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana. First round competition will begin Friday, November 20, 2026 culminating with the championship match on Wednesday, November 25, 2026.
This season, fans can catch Big Ten Conference opponents Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Oregon, Penn State and Washington in Madison. Dates and times will be announced at a later date.
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