Women’s college volleyball is entering a new season with a larger national television presence. Fox Sports has announced plans to broadcast 35 women’s college volleyball matches during the 2026 season, including a record eight matches on the Fox broadcast network.
The expanded coverage represents another step forward for a sport that has continued to attract strong audiences across the United States. By moving more matches onto a major broadcast network, Fox is giving college volleyball additional exposure beyond traditional sports channels and streaming platforms.
The 2026 coverage opened August 17 with Louisville facing Wisconsin in the Jeep AVCA First Serve. The matchup launched Fox Sports’ expanded volleyball schedule and set the stage for a season featuring several nationally recognized programs and major events.
A Larger National Schedule
Of the 35 matches planned for the season, eight will air on the Fox broadcast network, while another 27 will be carried across FS1 and FS2. The schedule includes regular-season contests, special events and conference competition.
Several of the season’s matchups are expected to attract particular attention because they involve programs with established national followings. Nebraska, Texas, Wisconsin, Louisville, Penn State, Kentucky and other prominent programs are part of the expanded coverage.
One of the most unusual events on the schedule will take place in Las Vegas. The inaugural Players Era Volleyball Showcase is scheduled for August 29-30 and will feature Nebraska, Texas, TCU and UNLV.
The event will give fans an opportunity to see several notable programs competing in a neutral-site setting while also adding a major event to the early portion of the college volleyball calendar.
Volleyball Comes to Wrigley Field
Another highlight of the season is scheduled for September 6, when Nebraska and Missouri and Penn State and Kentucky are set to play at Chicago’s Wrigley Field.
The historic baseball stadium will provide a distinctive setting for college volleyball. The two matches are part of Big Ten and SEC Volleyball Challenge Week and will be televised nationally.
Staging volleyball at a venue traditionally associated with baseball reflects the growing willingness of organizers to place women’s sports in prominent sporting environments. It also creates a different type of fan experience while introducing college volleyball to audiences who may not normally attend matches on university campuses.
For the participating teams, the event will provide a nationally visible stage early in the season, when programs are establishing their identities and building momentum for conference competition.
A Sign of Continued Growth
The expanded television schedule comes as women’s college sports continue to receive greater attention from broadcasters and fans.
College volleyball has developed particularly strong support in several parts of the country. Nebraska, for example, has demonstrated the potential of the sport to draw large crowds. In 2023, Nebraska hosted a volleyball match at Memorial Stadium that attracted more than 92,000 spectators, setting a major attendance benchmark for a women’s sporting event.
That type of audience demonstrates that college volleyball can generate significant interest when major programs and events are placed in the spotlight.
Television exposure can play an important role in extending that interest. National broadcasts allow fans outside a team’s local market to follow programs, learn about players and become familiar with rivalries and conference competition.
The additional exposure also gives younger athletes and prospective fans more opportunities to see high-level volleyball on television.
What the Expanded Coverage Means for Fans
For viewers, the biggest benefit is greater access to nationally televised matches. Fans will have more opportunities to watch top college programs without depending entirely on local broadcasts or specialized coverage.
The schedule also provides variety. Viewers can follow traditional conference matchups, neutral-site tournaments and unusual events such as the Wrigley Field doubleheader.
The addition of the Big Ten Volleyball Championship to Fox’s schedule is another important development. The championship, scheduled for November 25, will give the conference’s postseason competition a national television platform.
For fans who follow the sport throughout the season, the expanded coverage creates a clearer path from early-season tournaments to conference competition and postseason play.
Why This Matters for College Volleyball
Fox Sports’ decision to expand its women’s college volleyball coverage highlights the increasing visibility of the sport in the American sports market.
A national television schedule does not automatically guarantee larger audiences, but it provides an important platform for programs and athletes to reach viewers across the country. High-profile venues and special events can further increase interest by presenting volleyball in new environments.
The 2026 season is therefore notable not simply because of the number of matches being televised, but because of the range of events included in the schedule.
From the opening matchup between Louisville and Wisconsin to major contests involving nationally recognized programs, the season will give college volleyball a more prominent place in the broader sports conversation.
For fans, the takeaway is simple: there will be more nationally televised women’s college volleyball to watch in 2026. With 35 matches scheduled across Fox’s platforms, including eight on the main Fox network, the sport is receiving one of its most visible television platforms to date.
As the season progresses, the combination of major programs, large venues and expanded broadcast access will give viewers a closer look at the teams competing for conference titles and national recognition.
