Big Ten to Host Inaugural Women’s Volleyball Tournament in Indiana in 2026
The Big Ten Conference has announced it will hold its first-ever women’s volleyball conference tournament in November 2026. The event is scheduled to take place from November 20 to 25 at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana, located just outside Indianapolis. This marks a significant shift for the conference, which previously crowned only a regular-season champion in the sport. The decision aims to capitalize on the growing popularity of women's volleyball and provide a platform for the nation's top talent. The tournament will feature 15 teams competing in a format that includes first-round matches, second-round games, quarterfinals, semifinals, and a championship match. Illinois coach Chris Tamas highlighted the importance of this development, noting that it allows teams to recover from injuries and build momentum heading into the NCAA Tournament. The announcement follows recent conference expansion and adjustments to the regular-season schedule, reducing conference matches to 17 to ensure fairness and reduce travel burdens. The Big Ten has consistently led Division I in attendance for women's volleyball since 2007, underscoring the sport's strong footprint in the region.
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Big Ten to Host Inaugural Women’s Volleyball Tournament in Indiana in 2026
The Big Ten Conference has announced it will hold its first-ever women’s volleyball conference tournament in November 2026. The event is scheduled to take place from November 20 to 25 at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana, located just outside Indianapolis. This marks a significant shift for the conference, which previously crowned only a regular-season champion in the sport. The decision aims to capitalize on the growing popularity of women's volleyball and provide a platform for the nation's top talent. The tournament will feature 15 teams competing in a format that includes first-round matches, second-round games, quarterfinals, semifinals, and a championship match. Illinois coach Chris Tamas highlighted the importance of this development, noting that it allows teams to recover from injuries and build momentum heading into the NCAA Tournament. The announcement follows recent conference expansion and adjustments to the regular-season schedule, reducing conference matches to 17 to ensure fairness and reduce travel burdens. The Big Ten has consistently led Division I in attendance for women's volleyball since 2007, underscoring the sport's strong footprint in the region.
chicagotribune