Wisconsin volleyball unveils 2026 nonconference schedule, Big Ten opponents

Wisconsin volleyball has announced the finishing touches on a daunting 2026 nonconference schedule.

The Badgers will finish their nonconference slate at home against Marquette on Sept. 17 and UW-Milwaukee on Sept. 18, the team announced on May 4.

That follows eight already-announced matches against a gauntlet that includes each of the other three Final Four teams from 2025 – Kentucky, Pittsburgh and Texas A&M – along with Louisville, Stanford, Florida, Auburn and Texas.

Eight of UW's 10 nonconference opponents appeared in the 2025 NCAA tournament. UW coach Kelly Sheffield said that he "had problems saying no" with a laugh.

"When we're getting the phone call and people are asking if we want to be a part of something, and it's with the best traditional powers of our sport, yeah, it's going to be rare for us to turn that down," Sheffield said ahead of men's basketball coach Greg Gard's Garding Against Cancer event.

Wisconsin also will hold an alumni match on Aug. 8 and an exhibition on Aug. 15.

UW also unveiled which Big Ten teams it will play at home or on the road. Now with 17 regular-season matches instead of 20, the Badgers will play each conference foe once before heading to the inaugural Big Ten Tournament.

Big Ten home opponents include Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Oregon, Penn State and Washington. Big Ten away opponents include Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State, Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA and USC.

The schedule release follows an increase in ticket prices ranging from 6% to 42% for assigned sections at the UW Field House. General admission tickets increased by $1 per ticket per seat, but the overall cost decreased slightly due to having one fewer home match.