Spikes Under the Lights 2026: Schedule, Teams, Times, Prize Money and How to Watch
Spikes Under the Lights 2026 will bring four of the top women's college volleyball teams to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Thursday, August 27.
Nebraska, SMU, Penn State and Florida will compete in three exhibition matches with a $1 million prize on the line.
The event features two semifinal-style matches followed by a championship final. All matches will be played as best-of-three sets.
Spikes Under the Lights 2026 Schedule
All times are Eastern Time.
Thursday, August 27
Match 1: No. 1 Nebraska vs. No. 11 SMU, 8 p.m. ET, TNT Sports
Match 2: No. 10 Penn State vs. No. 17 Florida, 9 p.m. ET, TNT Sports
Championship Final: Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2, 10 p.m. ET, TNT Sports
Spikes Under the Lights 2026 Match Times
The opening match begins at 8 p.m. ET, with Nebraska facing SMU.
Penn State and Florida will meet at 9 p.m. ET in the second match.
The championship final is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET and will feature the winners of the two opening matches.
How Does Spikes Under the Lights 2026 Work?
Spikes Under the Lights begins with two preliminary matches.
Each preliminary match will be played as a best-of-three sets contest. The two winning teams will advance to the championship final.
The final will also be played as a best-of-three match.
The winner of the championship final will receive the $1 million prize, which is described as the largest-ever awarded prize in women's college sports.
How to Watch Spikes Under the Lights 2026
TNT Sports will broadcast all three matches from AT&T Stadium.
Fans can watch the Nebraska vs. SMU matchup, Penn State vs. Florida, and the championship final through TNT Sports.
Where Is Spikes Under the Lights 2026?
The inaugural Spikes Under the Lights event will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
AT&T Stadium is home to the Dallas Cowboys and can hold up to 100,000 spectators.
The event will mark the first major women's sporting event hosted at the iconic stadium.
Spikes Under the Lights 2026 Teams
Four nationally ranked teams will compete in the showcase:
No. 1 Nebraska
No. 11 SMU
No. 10 Penn State
No. 17 Florida
The four programs bring a mix of returning stars, new additions and high preseason expectations.
Nebraska Volleyball Preview
Nebraska enters Spikes Under the Lights as the preseason No. 1 team in the AVCA rankings.
The Huskers return several experienced players, including Andi Jackson, Harper Murray and Bergen Reilly.
Nebraska will open the event against No. 11 SMU at 8 p.m. ET.
SMU Volleyball Preview
SMU enters the 2026 season after a historic 2025 campaign.
The Mustangs added outside hitter Suli Davis while returning middle blocker Favor Anyanwu and outside hitter Jadyn Livings.
SMU will face preseason No. 1 Nebraska in the opening match.
Penn State Volleyball Preview
Penn State starts the 2026 season ranked No. 10 in the preseason AVCA rankings.
The Nittany Lions will feature outside hitter Kennedy Martin and setter Alexis Stuckey as a new combination.
Penn State will face Florida at 9 p.m. ET. The matchup against SMU would be the first meeting between the two programs if they meet in the final.
Florida Volleyball Preview
Florida enters the 2026 season with Alec Rothe and Jordan Byrd returning to the lineup.
Head coach Ryan Theis begins his second season leading the Gators.
Florida will face Penn State in the second preliminary match and could meet Nebraska for the first time since 2018 if both teams reach the final.
Spikes Under the Lights 2026 Prize Money
The championship winner will receive $1 million.
The prize is a major feature of the inaugural event and gives the four participating programs an additional incentive before the regular NCAA women's volleyball season gets underway.
Spikes Under the Lights 2026 Key Details
Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Venue: AT&T Stadium
Location: Arlington, Texas
Teams: Nebraska, SMU, Penn State and Florida
First match: 8 p.m. ET
Final: 10 p.m. ET
Match format: Best of three sets
Prize: $1 million
TV: TNT Sports
Spikes Under the Lights 2026 Final
Spikes Under the Lights will give college volleyball fans an early look at four nationally ranked programs.
Nebraska enters as the No. 1 preseason team, while SMU, Penn State and Florida will look to challenge the Huskers and each other.
With three matches, a best-of-three format and a $1 million championship prize, the August 27 showcase promises an important early test for all four programs.
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