Thursday, August 27
Arlington, TX
8 PM
Florida Gators
vs
#1 Nebraska (Exh.)
Bella Lee celebrates with Lily Hayes and Taylor Parks at Gators vs. Gator Greats. // Photo by Hannah White | UAA Communications
Florida Volleyball Set for Historic Spikes Under the Lights Event
Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | Volleyball
Thursday’s match against No. 1 Nebraska marks the first collegiate volleyball match in an NFL stadium and on TNT.
ARLINGTON, Texas – No. 17 Florida volleyball will make history on Thursday evening, Aug. 27, when they meet No. 1 Nebraska at 8 p.m. ET inside AT&T Stadium for Spikes Under the Lights, a first-of-its-kind women's collegiate volleyball tournament that features four of the nation's premier programs.
When the Gators take the floor for first serve, they will be a part of the first volleyball match, collegiate or professional, to take place in an NFL stadium, as well as the first to air on TNT. In a best-of-three set format, the winner of the opening match between Florida and Nebraska will meet the winner of No. 10 Penn State vs. No. 11 Southern Methodist in the championship match at 10 p.m. ET. Sets one and two will be played to 21 points, while set three will be to 15, all sets being win by two.
"What a great moment and event to showcase our sport," head coach Ryan Theis said. "Year after year, volleyball continues to see growth in attendance, premier events, TV audiences and mainstream network airtime. To be invited to compete on the biggest stage, in front of an audience that the sport deserves, is an honor for our program and players."
The inaugural event will feature a $1 million prize pool, the largest ever awarded in women's college sports. Spikes Under the Lights is designed as an annual tentpole event, an owned and operated franchise that will evolve year over year with a rotating field of top programs, emerging rivalries and returning stars.
In addition to the on-court action, fans can expect a fully immersive in-stadium experience, with enhanced production elements, premium broadcast production and a post-match concert by volleyball-player-turned-country-artist Julia Cole, who played collegiate volleyball at Vanderbilt.
Spikes Under the Lights Schedule
No. 17 Florida vs. No. 1 Nebraska - 8 p.m. ET
No. 11 SMU vs. No. 10 Penn State - 9 p.m. ET
Championship Match - 10 p.m. ET
Match Format
FOLLOW FLORIDA VOLLEYBALL
FloridaGators.com
Instagram | Facebook | X
When the Gators take the floor for first serve, they will be a part of the first volleyball match, collegiate or professional, to take place in an NFL stadium, as well as the first to air on TNT. In a best-of-three set format, the winner of the opening match between Florida and Nebraska will meet the winner of No. 10 Penn State vs. No. 11 Southern Methodist in the championship match at 10 p.m. ET. Sets one and two will be played to 21 points, while set three will be to 15, all sets being win by two.
"What a great moment and event to showcase our sport," head coach Ryan Theis said. "Year after year, volleyball continues to see growth in attendance, premier events, TV audiences and mainstream network airtime. To be invited to compete on the biggest stage, in front of an audience that the sport deserves, is an honor for our program and players."
The inaugural event will feature a $1 million prize pool, the largest ever awarded in women's college sports. Spikes Under the Lights is designed as an annual tentpole event, an owned and operated franchise that will evolve year over year with a rotating field of top programs, emerging rivalries and returning stars.
In addition to the on-court action, fans can expect a fully immersive in-stadium experience, with enhanced production elements, premium broadcast production and a post-match concert by volleyball-player-turned-country-artist Julia Cole, who played collegiate volleyball at Vanderbilt.
Spikes Under the Lights Schedule
No. 17 Florida vs. No. 1 Nebraska - 8 p.m. ET
No. 11 SMU vs. No. 10 Penn State - 9 p.m. ET
Championship Match - 10 p.m. ET
Match Format
- Sets one and two played to 21 points, win by two
- If the teams split the first two sets, a third-set tiebreaker will be played to 15 points, win by two
- No point caps in any set
FOLLOW FLORIDA VOLLEYBALL
FloridaGators.com
Instagram | Facebook | X
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