WRIGLEYVILLE — Wrigley Field is adding a new sport to its roster of events the ballpark has hosted in its 114-year history: volleyball.
The Big Ten and the Southeastern Conference (or SEC) announced Tuesday the iconic Chicago baseball field will host a women’s college volleyball doubleheader later this year.
The games are set for Sept. 6, when Nebraska will take on Missouri while Penn State will go up against Kentucky at Wrigley Field, according to a news release. Those games will be the culmination of the Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week, where all Big Ten and SEC teams will face off.
The order of the matches is pending, but the games will be played at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively. Tickets go on sale April 9, and the games will also be broadcast live on FOX.
“As women’s volleyball participation, sponsorship, attendance and viewership continue to grow, we look forward to providing this unique opportunity to showcase the exceptional competition,” Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti said in a news release.
This is the first time volleyball matches will be held at Wrigley Field, which has hosted concerts, football and hockey events in addition to its usual baseball. Renderings show a volleyball court erected in shallow center field, with standing-room viewing areas in the outfield.
The Wrigley Field doubleheader will feature powerhouses in women’s collegiate volleyball and continues a trend of showcasing the sport in unique venues. Nebraska’s volleyball team, which plays in the Big Ten conference, set a record in 2023 for largest crowd to witness a women’s sports event when it hosted a game at its home football stadium, ESPN reported.
“This initiative not only elevates volleyball on a national stage but also underscores a continued growth and investment in women’s athletics,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in the news release. “We are proud to be part of an event that celebrates the competitive excellence of these student-athletes while helping shape an even more prominent future for women’s athletics.”
