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The Spikes Under the Lights showcase is bringing together four of the nation’s premier teams to compete for a chance at a $1 million dollar prize.
Nebraska, SMU, Penn State and Florida will face off in Arlington, Texas inside AT&T Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 27.
Here’s everything you need to know about Spikes Under the Lights.
Schedule
All times ET
Match 1| No. 1 Nebraska vs. No. 11 SMU | 8 p.m. | TNT Sports
Match 2| No. 10 Penn State vs. No. 17 Florida | 9 p.m. | TNT Sports
Final | winner of Match 1 vs. winner of Match 2 | 10 p.m. | TNT Sports
How it works
Competition will kick off with two matches, each played as best-of-three sets. The winners from the both preliminary matches will return for a final showdown where the one million dollar prize will be on the line.
The final championship will also be played as a best-of-three match, with the winner taking the largest-ever awarded prize in women’s college sports.
Where is the Spikes Under the Lights
The inaugural Spikes Under the Lights event will take place inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
The showcase marks the first major women’s sporting event to take place in the iconic AT&T Stadium which can hold up to 100,000 spectators.
Get to know the teams
AT&T Stadium is set to host four of the biggest names in women’s college volleyball. To get you ready for the matchups, here’s a little bit to know about each team.
Nebraska
The Huskers are coming in with high expectations as the preseason AVCA No. 1 team. Nebraska brings back a veteran senior class in Andi Jackson, Harper Murray and Bergen Reilly that’ll make this team one to watch.
Penn State
Watch out for Penn State’s new duo this season in outside Kennedy Martin and setter Alexis Stuckey. The Nittany Lions come into the 2026 season at No. 10 in the preseason AVCA rankings and will take on SMU for the first time in program history.
SMU
After a historic 2025 season, the Mustangs enter the 2026 campaign looking to build on their momentum. SMU strengthened its lineup with outside hitter Suli Davis, while middle blocker Favor Anyanwu and outside Jadyn Livings returns.
Florida
Alec Rothe and Jordan Byrd return to the Florida lineup for the 2026 season after losing some big names. Head Coach Ryan Theis will start off his second year at the helm of the Gator program taking on Nebraska – the first time the two programs have met since 2018.
Sofie Davis joined NCAA.com in August 2025 as a Digital Editorial Postgrad. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Kentucky in 2024 while competing as a member of swim and dive team. Throughout her college years, Davis balanced life as a student-athlete with multiple internships in sports digital and social media. She is passionate about collegiate athletics and dedicated to telling the stories that connect athletes with their audiences.
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