Northwestern University Athletics
Big Ten Reveals 2026 Volleyball Opponent Rotation
5/4/2026 11:35:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern volleyball will host eight Big Ten opponents at Welsh-Ryan Arena in 2026 while visiting nine conference foes on the road, the Big Ten announced on Monday. The 17-match regular season schedule will be followed by the Big Ten's inaugural volleyball tournament, which will be held November 20-25 in Fishers, Ind.
The 'Cats' home schedule features three 2025 NCAA Tournament teams, including National Quarterfinalists Nebraska. UCLA and USC will return to Welsh-Ryan Arena for their second visits since joining the Big Ten, and Northwestern will also welcome in Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Rutgers.
On the road, the 'Cats are set to return to the Pacific Northwest in 2026 for a visit to Washington and Oregon. Closer to home, they'll also visit rival Illinois along with Indiana, Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin. Northwestern's East Coast slate includes both Maryland and Penn State.
The 2026 Wildcats welcome back 10 returners from last season while adding eight new faces to the fall roster. Mara Stiglic and Cate Schnell are set for their first season with the 'Cats after transferring this winter, and six incoming first-years will join the roster this fall.
Non-conference opponents, along with dates and times for all matches, will be released at a later date.
2026 Northwestern Volleyball Big Ten Conference Opponents
Home: Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Rutgers, UCLA, USC
Away: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Washington, Wisconsin
Where we'll be ??
— Northwestern Volleyball (@NUVball) May 4, 2026
Our 2026 @B1GVolleyball home and road opponents are here! pic.twitter.com/96lxBPUnC8
The 'Cats' home schedule features three 2025 NCAA Tournament teams, including National Quarterfinalists Nebraska. UCLA and USC will return to Welsh-Ryan Arena for their second visits since joining the Big Ten, and Northwestern will also welcome in Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Rutgers.
On the road, the 'Cats are set to return to the Pacific Northwest in 2026 for a visit to Washington and Oregon. Closer to home, they'll also visit rival Illinois along with Indiana, Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin. Northwestern's East Coast slate includes both Maryland and Penn State.
The 2026 Wildcats welcome back 10 returners from last season while adding eight new faces to the fall roster. Mara Stiglic and Cate Schnell are set for their first season with the 'Cats after transferring this winter, and six incoming first-years will join the roster this fall.
Non-conference opponents, along with dates and times for all matches, will be released at a later date.
2026 Northwestern Volleyball Big Ten Conference Opponents
Home: Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Rutgers, UCLA, USC
Away: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Washington, Wisconsin
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's VolleyballVolleyball - 'Cats Defeat Iowa on Rylen Reid's 27-Kill Night (10/31/25)
Saturday, November 01
Volleyball - 'Cats Outlast Michigan in Five-Set Thriller (10/16/25)
Friday, October 17
Volleyball - Wildcats Sweep Campbell to Close Non-Conference Play (9/20/2025)
Sunday, September 21
Volleyball - 'Cats Defeat Valparaiso in Home Opener Reverse Sweep (9/9/2025)
Wednesday, September 10
