The Big Ten has released the 2026 volleyball schedule for Northwestern, highlighting a 17-match regular season, with eight games hosted at home. The Wildcats will kick off their conference play by welcoming USC and UCLA at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Following home games against teams like Ohio State and Nebraska, Northwestern will face a series of road matches in October and November. The season culminates with the inaugural Big Ten Tournament in Fishers, Ind., scheduled to start on November 20.

By the Numbers
  • 17 matches in the regular season
  • 8 home games scheduled for Northwestern
  • November 20-25: Big Ten Tournament dates
State of Play
  • Regular season starts on September 24 against USC
  • NCAA Quarterfinalists Nebraska will visit on October 15
  • First ever Big Ten Tournament set to take place in Fishers, Ind.
What's Next

As the season approaches, Northwestern's non-conference schedule and match times will be announced later, which will provide further context to the overall roadmap for 2026.

Bottom Line

Northwestern's 2026 volleyball season is designed to build excitement with a balanced mix of home and away games, culminating in a landmark tournament, laying the foundation for competitive growth in the Big Ten.