Volleyball Unveils Full 2026 ScheduleVolleyball Unveils Full 2026 Schedule
Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics

Volleyball Unveils Full 2026 Schedule

EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern volleyball announced its schedule of non-conference match-ups for the upcoming 2026 season on Friday, completing the season outlook. The Wildcats will take on 11 different opponents before beginning Big Ten play.

 

 

The ‘Cats raise the curtain on their 2026 season on the east coast, where they are set to face off with a trio of opponents at the end of August. The opener takes place at George Mason (Aug. 28), then Northwestern will visit American (Aug. 29) and Georgetown (Aug. 30) to finish the trip.

Next up for Northwestern is the inaugural Big Ten/SEC Challenge. The Wildcats will head south to Starkville, Miss., to play both Alabama (Sept. 3) and Mississippi State (Sept. 4).

Back in Welsh-Ryan Arena, the ‘Cats will host Butler for their home opener in Evanston on September 8. That starts a four-match homestand, as the Wildcats host the Northwestern Invitational next, facing Virginia Tech (Sept. 11), Long Island (Sept. 12) and Green Bay (Sept. 13).

The non-conference schedule concludes in Muncie, Ind., at the Ball State Tournament. After facing the hosts on Sept. 17, the ‘Cats will take on IU Indy in a neutral site meeting the following day.

From there, the ’Cats will head into Big Ten conference play, with sights set on the first-ever Big Ten Volleyball Tournament in November. 

A full list of Northwestern’s non-conference slate follows. Times for all matches will be released at a later date.

2026 Northwestern Volleyball Non-Conference Schedule

Aug. 28 – @ George Mason – Fairfax, Va.
Aug. 29 – @ American – Washington, D.C.
Aug. 30 – @ Georgetown – Washington, D.C.

Sept. 3 – vs. Alabama – Starkville, Miss. (N)
Sept. 4 – @ Mississippi – Starkville, Miss.

Sept. 8 – Butler – Evanston, Ill.

Sept. 11 - Virginia Tech - Evanston, Ill.
Sept. 12 - Long Island - Evanston, Ill.
Sept. 13 - Green Bay - Evanston, Ill.

Sept. 17 – @ Ball State – Muncie, Ind.
Sept. 18 – vs. IU Indy – Muncie, Ind. (N)

(N) Neutral Site Matchup